Drangajökull: Nature’s Icy Masterpiece

Drangajökull is a good representation of the icy side of the Land of Fire and Ice. This incredible frozen landscape is both a place of beauty and adventure and tells the story of thousands and thousands of years of elemental clashes and geological changes.

In this article, we dive into the details around this icy masterpiece, its unique geography, and the ample and exciting opportunities visitors to the island have to explore this natural wonder. So, without further ado, let’s begin.

Drangajökull in Short

Technically, Drangajökull is not really a glacier. It’s a glacial tongue that branches out from the largest glacier in all of Europe: Vatnajökull. That being said, most still refer to this icy wonder as a glacier. Although it’s one of the smallest glaciers in Iceland, stretching out over just 200 square kilometers, and is the only one that holds four impressive geological distinctions:

• It’s the northernmost glacier in Iceland.

• It’s the only glacier in the Westfjords.

• It’s the only glacier in Iceland that’s completely below 1000 meters above sea level.

• It’s the only glacier that hasn’t shrunk in many years. This resilience against global warming has left researchers scratching their heads, making Drangajökull a very interesting study.

Where is Drangajökull?

Drangajökull sits just south of the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve in the Westfjords, one of the most remote regions here on the island. The glacier is surrounded by entirely uninhabitable land, and with the region being so extremely remote, it can be difficult to explore during extreme weather or our harsh winter season.

How to Get to Drangajökull

To get to Drangajökull, you’ll have to either join a tour or drive yourself and take a hike.

Drive Yourself

If you are like us and enjoy being at the helm of your adventures, driving yourself will be the preferred choice.

To reach Drangajökull from Reykjavik, drive the Ring Road north for about 102 kilometers until you pass the town of Bifröst. Here, you must take Road 60 on your left side and head towards the Westfjords. Keep on Road 60 for about 90 kilometers, and take a right on Road 61 after you’ve crossed a long bridge.

Drive Road 61 until you’ve reached the northern fjords of the Westfjords, and take a right on Road 635. When you’ve driven for about 39 kilometers on this road, you will be at the foot of the glacier.

From there, you’ll need to (very carefully) hike up the mountain to get a closer look at Drangajökull.

Join a Tour

Isafjördur is the best place to go for a guided tour of Drangajökull. It’s the capital of the Westfjords and the main place to get everything from food and entertainment to petrol and accommodation.

Since Drangajökull is not an overly popular place to visit, you’ll have to plan your trip in advance and see when the tours depart. These tours will only be available in the summer in Iceland (although this may seem completely counterintuitive). This is because the winter simply makes it too difficult to hike.

Plan Your Visit to Drangajökull

If you are chasing once-in-a-lifetime experiences off the beaten path, Drangajökull will make an excellent addition to your Iceland holiday itinerary. Traversing this icy giant is truly an unbeatable feeling that will leave you with memories for a lifetime.

If you’re planning on exploring the rest of the Westfjord region, one of the best ways to do so is with your hands on the steering wheel and the open road ahead of you. Rent a campervan in Iceland when you start your journey here on the island and remove the hassle of booking hotels, guesthouses, and motels while adding a little extra sense of adventure.