Myrkárjökull: A Cirque Glacier in North Iceland
Myrkárjökull is a cirque glacier at the head of Myrkárdalur in North Iceland. The USGS glacier gazetteer, page 157, places it in the northern glacier group and records that it takes its name from the Myrká river.
Recognize the name on a map
Older research maps divide the glacier into northern and southern parts: Myrkárjökull nyrðri and Myrkárjökull syðri. Those labels describe parts of the same named glacier. They can help when matching an older scientific account to a modern map.
Myrkárjökull is different from Mýrdalsjökull, the large ice cap in South Iceland. It also belongs to a different region from the Mýrar glacier names used around southeast Vatnajökull. Check both the spelling and valley name before planning a journey.
What the location record tells a visitor
The 2008 gazetteer identifies the glacier and documents historical names and maps. It does not establish a current walking approach, parking place, permission to cross land or a guided excursion. Its geographic point should not be used as a trailhead.
For a mountain visit, obtain a current local route assessment before setting out. If your main aim is a booked glacier activity, compare the named departures on our glacier guide; a place appearing in a glacier inventory does not mean it has visitor infrastructure.
Planning help
Glacier questions
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
Where is Myrkárjökull?
At the head of Myrkárdalur in North Iceland, according to the USGS glacier gazetteer.
What does the name refer to?
The USGS gazetteer records that Myrkárjökull is named for the Myrká river.
Does this page describe a walking route?
No current approach has been verified here. The gazetteer is a location and naming reference, rather than a trail guide.
Country reference: Iceland statistics.