Valley glacier
Parking
Viewpoint
Accessible
Accessible by car
Glacier hiking
Guided tour recommended
Safety
Glaciers are constantly changing environments with crevasses, unstable ice and variable conditions. Do not travel onto a glacier without suitable equipment, experience and professional guidance where appropriate.
Geology
Breiðamerkurjökull is a major outlet glacier of Vatnajökull. Ice flow, glacier retreat and meltwater have shaped Jökulsárlón and Breiðamerkursandur.
Visit tips
View the glacier from safe designated areas. Travel onto the ice should only be undertaken with proper equipment and guidance.
About Breiðamerkurjökull
Breiðamerkurjökull is one of the largest outlet glaciers of Vatnajökull and flows south from the main ice cap. The glacier has retreated considerably in recent decades, allowing Jökulsárlón to form and expand at its terminus. Ice regularly calves from the glacier into the lagoon, creating icebergs that eventually drift towards the sea. The area provides a striking example of how glaciers shape landscapes and how retreating ice can transform valleys and coastlines.
Last verified 16 September 2026