Hvítárvatn

Hvítárvatn is a remote highland lake lying at the foot of Langjökull, Iceland’s second largest glacier, at an elevation of 420 m. Its 30 km² basin catches meltwater from the glacier’s southeastern tongue, and in summer small icebergs float serenely across the lake’s pale turquoise surface — an intimate echo of Jökulsárlón on a far smaller and quieter scale.

The lake is the source of the Hvítá river, which eventually tumbles over the famous Gullfoss waterfall to the west. Hiking the hut-to-hut trail between Hvítárvatn and Gullfoss is a rewarding multi-day highland route. The shores are home to whooper swans and a variety of wading birds in summer.

Access is primarily via the Kjölur highland road (F35), typically open from mid-June to late September. A 4WD vehicle is strongly recommended. The Hvítárnes hut (staffed in summer) sits on the lakeshore and offers basic accommodation for hikers.