Hofsjökull

Hofsjökull is a large temperate glacier located in Iceland’s central highlands, between Langjökull to the west and Vatnajökull to the east. Covering approximately 925 km², it is the third largest glacier in Iceland.

The highest point of Hofsjökull reaches about 1,765 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest glacier summits in the country. Beneath the ice lies an active volcanic system that has significantly shaped the surrounding landscape.

Hofsjökull was formerly known as Arnarfellsjökull, named after the nearby mountain Arnarfell hið mikla. The glacier later received its current name from the farm Hof in Vesturdalur in the Skagafjörður region.

Numerous glacial rivers originate from Hofsjökull and flow both northward and southward, including rivers feeding into Skagafjörður and the wetlands of Þjórsárver. The glacier therefore plays a crucial role in Iceland’s hydrology.

Due to its remote location, Hofsjökull remains one of the least visited major glaciers in Iceland. Its surroundings are characterized by vast highland plains, braided glacial rivers, and untouched wilderness.

Hofsjökull represents one of the purest examples of Iceland’s raw highland nature, where ice, fire, and water continue to shape the land far from human settlement.