Breiðamerkurjökull

Breiðamerkurjökull is a glacier in Vatnajökull National Park that divides into several ice streams separated by exposed rock ridges. The formation extends across a broad area with varying depths and slopes throughout its frozen expanse.

When the first settlers arrived around 900 AD, the glacier's edge stood roughly 20 kilometers farther north than its present location. This shift marks the long-term impact of climate changes on Iceland's frozen landscape.

The glacier served as a filming location for multiple productions, including the movie Lara Croft: Tomb Raider where it represented Siberian landscapes.

Summer months offer the best conditions for safe travel across the ice and access to the surrounding area. Visitors should wear warm, waterproof clothing and sturdy footwear to handle the harsh environment.

The glacier feeds two separate lagoons with icebergs that drift in opposite directions, remaining visible for extended periods. This double system of lakes occurs because different sections of the ice discharge their meltwater independently.

Location: Sveitarfélagið Hornafjörður

Elevation above the sea: 0 m

Part of: Vatnajökull

GPS coordinates: 64.13891,-16.36452

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:58