Breidarlon lies at the south end of Vatnajökull, in South Iceland. It formed at the snout of Breiðamerkurjökull, one of the ice cap's biggest outlet glaciers, which calves straight into the water. The lagoon sits between Fjallsárlón and Jökulsárlón, and a small river drains from it into Fjallsárlón. It is far quieter than either neighbour: a marked trail links the three lakes, and walkers who make the detour often have Breidarlon to themselves. Floating ice, though, is not a certainty here.
Breidarlon Iceberg Lagoon
Local name: Breiðárlón
Breiðamerkurjökull has retreated so far from Breidarlon that the lagoon can be found with no floating ice on it at all, while Fjallsárlón, the next lagoon along, is full of ice.
- Entrance
- Free
- Parking
- Small rough area
- Difficulty
- Easy shoreline; the rough access is the effort
- Transport
- Self-drive gravel + 4×4, or hike from Jökulsárlón
- Address
- Breiðárlón (785), near Jökulsárlón
What makes it special
The draw here is solitude. Breidarlon is little visited, and it is quite possible to stand at the water with nobody else in sight. The trail over from Fjallsárlón carries little foot traffic either.
Set against that, be clear about what the lagoon is not. It is less striking than Jökulsárlón or Fjallsárlón, and the ice is unreliable. On 1 July 2021 there were no icebergs on it. On 24 May 2022 there was no floating ice at all, while Fjallsárlón nearby was full of it — Breiðamerkurjökull has pulled back a long way from this basin. Come for the quiet and for the view of the glacier, and treat ice on the water as a bonus.
Good to know
- Ice is not guaranteed. There was no ice on the lagoon on 1 July 2021, and none at all on 24 May 2022, when Fjallsárlón was full of it.
- Solitude is the point. Breidarlon is little visited, and having the shore to yourself is the normal experience.
- Pair it with Fjallsárlón. If you want icebergs and Breidarlon is bare, Fjallsárlón is the neighbour that held ice when this one had none.
- National park land. Breiðamerkurjökull, the glacier calving into the lagoon, is part of Vatnajökull National Park.
Getting there
Breidarlon is reached on foot. A trail marked by yellow posts links Fjallsárlón, Breidarlon and Jökulsárlón, so the lagoon can be walked to from either of its better-known neighbours. The stretch in from Fjallsárlón is the pleasant one, and it carries little foot traffic — follow the yellow posts.
Things to do nearby
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Breidarlon Iceberg Lagoon on the map
Breiðamerkurjökull calves directly into the lagoon. Ice in the water and ice grounded along the shore can roll or break apart without warning. Stay off it, and keep well back from the glacier front.
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Frequently asked questions
Are there icebergs on Breidarlon?
Not reliably. There were none on 1 July 2021, and on 24 May 2022 the lagoon held no floating ice at all while Fjallsárlón was full of it. Breiðamerkurjökull has retreated far from the basin.Is Breidarlon busy?
No. The lagoon is little visited and the trail in from Fjallsárlón sees little traffic. Having the shore to yourself is the usual outcome.Which glacier feeds the lagoon?
Breiðamerkurjökull, one of the biggest outlet glaciers of Vatnajökull. It calves into Breidarlon, and a small river drains from the lagoon into Fjallsárlón.Is Breidarlon inside Vatnajökull National Park?
The glacier that calves into the lagoon is part of Vatnajökull National Park. Breidarlon itself lies between the Fjallsárlón and Jökulsárlón lagoons in South Iceland.