Drangajokull

Drangajokull sits on the high ground between Isafjardardjup and the Hornstrandir side of the Westfjords, covering something under 150 square kilometres, and it is the only Icelandic ice cap of any size whose surface stays below a thousand metres - it survives on the heavy snowfall of the north-west rather than on altitude. It is also the northernmost. Like every glacier here it has lost area over the last century, though its behaviour has been less uniform than the southern caps and one of its outlets has surged more than once. There is no road to it; approaches are from Kaldalon on the south side or from Strandir, on foot or ski.

The landscape

• The northernmost Icelandic ice cap - fed by snowfall rather than height.
• Entirely below a thousand metres - unique among the larger caps.
• Outlets that have surged - advancing sharply against the general retreat.
• No road to the ice - approaches on foot or ski only.

When to go

April to June for ski trips; July to August to walk to the margin. A full day or more.

Things to know

Getting onto the ice requires glacier equipment and experience or a guide; crevasses are real. Weather in the Westfjords shuts routes at short notice. Approaches are long with no facilities. Even reaching the margin is a serious day.

Nearby

Kaldalon is the usual approach; Isafjordur is the regional base.

Key facts