Heinabergslón

South coast, Iceland
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Heinabergslón glacier lagoon is a serene location below one of the many glacier tongues that run from Vatnajökull glacier. The lagoon is surrounded by towering mountains that have been whittled down by the glacier as it crawled forward thousands of years ago. The lagoon is visually stunning, especially because of the contrast between the ice and the dark surroundings. Icebergs of various sizes break off from the icefall and float in the lagoon, ranging from pristine white to deep blue. The lagoon itself can be murky because of the sediments which the icebergs release as they melt.

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    Each location on Massif includes detailed information about climate, lighting conditions, accessibility, nearby services, permits, visitors, risk factors and much more.
  • Climate

    Climate

    Get location climate information which includes temperature, wind speed, amount of rain, snowfall and ice coverage through the year.
  • Lighting conditions

    Lighting conditions

    Find out precise information about daylight, Sun position, visibility and clouds throughout the year.
  • Accessibility, services and permits

    Accessibility, services and permits

    Learn about location regulations, how to get to the location, what conditions to expect, and what services are nearby.
  • Visitors and risk factors

    Visitors and risk factors

    Find out if location is frequently visited, if there is any danger in the location area and how to stay safe.

Accessibility

7.5 kilometers from the main road. The road is rough gravel, suitable for all kinds of cars. Another road leads from the parking lot and closer to the lagoon on its right, but that road needs a specialized vehicle as you have to cross a river, you would also need a special permission to do that. From the parking lot, there is an easy hike down towards the lagoon for 300 meters.
Public transportation unavailable
There is no public transportation available in this area
Car recommended
Unchallenging terrain accessible by car
Good phone coverage
Generally good phone coverage without any major interruptions
Not needed
Guide is not needed

Services nearby

There are many hotels and lodgings options within 50 kilometres from this location. Nearest hospital is in Höfn, 49 kilometres away.
Accommodation
< 50 km
Gas station
< 50 km
Hospital or emergency room
< 50 km
Parking
< 1 km
Restaurants
< 30 km
Shopping
< 50 km

Permits

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You need a two-way permit.
Shooting requires both the permission from the property owner and the local government permit
A tourist company manages this location and offers kayaking trips on the lagoon.
Ask the property owner for shooting permission

Basecamp and facilities

There is a medium size parking lot at this location. Within 1 km radius, there are a few options for bigger camps on the moor. With permission, you could prepare a lot that suits your needs. There are basic facilities at this location and phone coverage is average.

Risk factors

Working in the sand can be tiresome and slow. Icefall glaciers are constantly moving from the pressure above, they are also covered in crevasses, deep and narrow. Ice blocks can collapse without warning and the temperature is cooler than elsewhere with a risk of hypothermia. Climbing the glacier should not be attempted without climbing guides and a safety team. The lagoons can be deep, and the water is cold and not suitable for swimming. The icebergs can flip without warning so climbing on top of them is not recommended.

Visitors

The lagoon is a low/medium tourist attraction. There is a kayak company located at the lagoon that offers pre-booked trips

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