Drangajökull

Westfjords

The northernmost glacier in Iceland, Drangajökull covers around 160 square kilometers in the remote Westfjords and tops out at 925 meters — the lowest-altitude ice cap in the country. While nearly every other Icelandic glacier retreated during the late twentieth century, Drangajökull held steady and even expanded during parts of that period. Researchers attribute this to the Westfjords' heavy snowfall and the cold sea currents around Hornstrandir to the north. Whether that stability continues as temperatures rise is uncertain. The most accessible approach is via Kaldalón fjord, where a glacier tongue descends toward the lagoon. Getting to the ice edge on foot is a serious undertaking — go with a guide or glacier-travel experience, as crevasse risk is real. The surrounding valley is spectacular and almost entirely empty of visitors. The Westfjords are genuinely remote; closest services are in Ísafjörður. Gravel roads to Kaldalón can be rough or impassable after heavy rain. Plan four hours at the site plus significant drive time. June through August gives the most reliable access.

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