Skaftafell Wilderness Volunteer Programme in Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland

Volunteer in Skaftafell National Park in Iceland as an environmental volunteer and join our teams to preserve the Vatnajökull National Park in Skaftafell - a green oasis surrounded by one of the world’s biggest glaciers, located in the southeast of Iceland, and certainly one of the most beautiful areas in the country.

Environmental volunteers can join for 2 weeks up to 6 weeks from June to August each year.

Individuals, groups, students all welcome.

_{Cost for food, accommodation (camping), equipment, programme materials and training starts from £340.}

The Project

The Skaftafell National Park area is managed by Vatnajökull National Park and international volunteers have played a very important part in the management of the areas hiking trails since 1996. Skaftafell National Park is a very popular hiking area due to its outstanding landscape of glaciers, mountains, varied vegetation and glacier lagoons. This is a very special area embraced by two long glacier tongues in the southeast of the country and is ideally suited for those interested to hike and work in a remote and wild area.

Environmental volunteering in Skaftafell National Park will be in teams of up to 8 volunteers with qualified and experienced team leaders carrying out a variety of wilderness management projects.

Work will focus on the trail network around Skaftafell center and on Kristínartýndar mountain trails. Trails in this area suffer from severe erosion and next summer the project will include new repair techniques. The work is organised by Iceland’s Environment Agency (Umhverfisstofnun) in partnership with Vatnajökulsþjógarður  who manage the area.

The work of environmental volunteers in Skaftafell National Park will include:

• boardwalk building
• resurfacing the trails
• improving drainage
• bridge building
• stone step construction

The material is usually gathered from close to the work sites but sometimes timber recycled from old bridge constructions are used. Sometimes the material is moved by hand the work can be quite physically demanding.

Well marked trails help to protect fragile areas from the effects of trampling by encouraging hikers to keep to the paths. Good trails also improve safety for visitors to the area. Other tasks includes the removal of invasive plant species.

Skaftafell National Park environmental volunteers will work closely with the park’s rangers and our teams now play a very important role in the practical management of the Skaftafell National Park.

No previous experience of this work is necessary as training will be provided by experienced leaders. The working day normally runs from 09:00 – 17:00 with breaks for lunch and coffee. However, please be prepared for some flexibility due to the nature of Iceland’s changeable weather.  Some of our worksites may be away from the campsite close to the glacier. All environmental volunteers need to bring a sturdy tent and warm clothes (or you can rent a tent when you arrive).

For more details regarding costs, dates and testimonials, please visit our website.