Skaftafell, Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland Sep 24, 2024

In Iceland"s Skaftafell, autumn isn"t just a season—it"s an experience. From glaciers to waterfalls, like the one featured here today, to northern lights, this area in Vatnajökull National Park is a showcase of nature"s raw beauty. Skaftafell, once a thriving farm and now a preservation area, has been formed over thousands of years by the fierce interplay of volcanic fire and glacial water. Here, the glacier Skaftafellsjökull, a branch of Vatnajökull—the second largest ice cap in Europe—stretches out like a frozen river, inviting visitors for guided hikes. Then there"s Svartifoss, another waterfall in the park, fed by glacial meltwater. Surrounded by dark lava columns that resemble a heart from afar, this waterfall inspired the design of Iceland"s National Theatre and the Hallgrímskirkja church in Reykjavík. Skaftafell"s hiking trails range from easy walks to challenging climbs, so there"s something for everyone. While the daylight hours may be shorter in this season, there"s a bright

© Nopasorn Kowathanakul/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Sep 24, 2023Fraser River near Mount Robson, British Columbia, Canada
Sep 24, 2025Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming, United States

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Feb 25, 2025Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, United States
Sep 13, 2025Point Reyes National Seashore
Oct 4, 2025ISS main solar arrays seen from SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour
Aug 22, 2023Amphitheatre of El Jem, Tunisia
Apr 15, 2024Château de Chambord, France
Jan 27, 2026Dalmatian pelicans, Lake Kerkini, Greece
Mar 2, 2025Megalong Valley, Blue Mountains National Park, NSW, Australia
Aug 10, 2024Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA
Oct 21, 2023Persepolis, Iran
Mar 16, 2024Eurasian blue tit, United Kingdom
Jun 5, 2024Masoala National Park in Madagascar
Feb 12, 2024Galápagos tortoise
Aug 11, 2025Village of Santa Maddalena, Dolomites, Italy
Aug 27, 2025Sørvágsvatn lake, island of Vágar, Faroe Islands
Jul 30, 2025Ribadesella, Asturias, Spain
Feb 20, 2024Kinder Scout, Peak District National Park, UK
Nov 6, 2024Shi Shi Beach in Olympic National Park, Washington, USA
Nov 17, 2023Copper Falls State Park, Wisconsin, USA
Apr 20, 2024Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park
Oct 25, 2025Martimoaapa Mire Reserve, Finland
Oct 31, 2023Pumpkins and squashes
Oct 9, 2025Pillars of Creation
Jan 8, 2026Yellow-chevroned parakeets
Jun 9, 2024Bardenas Reales Biosphere Reserve and Natural Park, Navarra, Spain
Apr 11, 2024Dragon waterfall, Venezuela
Dec 10, 2024Lands End, Cornwall, England
Jun 17, 2025Maritime forest in Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia, United States
Apr 1, 2025Tree frog, Costa Rica
Apr 12, 2024Arches National Park, Utah, USA
Feb 23, 2025Mount Fuji, Lake Kawaguchi, Japan