THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF SVÍNAFELL

During the early settlements, Svinafell was considered a place of great nobility with one of the most powerful families living in the area. Flosi was one of the most famous noble men that ever lived there. He featured a lot in Brennu-Njals-Saga.

The land has been continuously inhabited from the 9th or 10th centuries at the settlement of Iceland, except during the period of The Major Volcanic eruption in Oraefajokull in 1362.

The farm Svinafell nestles at the roots of Oraefajokull Glacier, within one of the most active volcanic areas in Iceland. The area of Svinafell´s distinctive features are both magnificent and the dynamic. The highest peak of the mountain nearby is Hvannadalshnuku. From the farm there is a great view over the sands of SKEIDARA, the main area of catastrophic natural disaster in 1996.

The mountainsides are covered in heather and Icelandic flora and provide a fabulous background to the farm at Svinafell. It is considered, that nowhere in Iceland is there a farm situated closer to a glazier than Svinfell is.

Just 9km away from Svinafell to the west is the national park of Skaftafell, considered one of Natures Treasures with its colourful heath lands, wildlife and extensive public walkways!

At Freysnes (2km) away are one of the biggest and the most notable hotels in the county, Hotel Skaftafell. There is a service station; for fuel, and other essentials for travelling.

Trips to Ingolfshofdi are with out doubt the highlight in this area, where they drive in a specialized Hay wagon from Hofsnes and then travellers can hike across the small rocky headland.

Above are select examples of the varied services and opportunities offered to tourists in the neighborhood of Svinafell.

Extra information regarding Oraefi you can get on by clicking here.

Any overview on travelling in the whole region you can find on www.rikivatnajokuls.is