Vatnsdalur

Vatnsdalur is a long rural valley in northwest North Iceland, easily reached from the Ring Road but quiet enough to feel well removed from the main tourist route. The valley is known for its river, Vatnsdalsá, the unusual hill field Vatnsdalshólar and a strong concentration of historical and folkloric sites. At the mouth of the valley, Vatnsdalshólar forms a remarkable landscape of countless small hills, thought to have been created by a major landslide. Farther into the valley, the road follows Vatnsdalsá, a well-known salmon river. Another distinctive stop is Kattarauga, a small protected pond noted for its floating islands. Vatnsdalur works best as a slow scenic drive rather than a single attraction. Farms, historic locations and natural features are distributed along the valley, and the appeal comes from combining them with the broad agricultural landscape. Visitors should remain on public routes and signed paths, as much of the surrounding land is actively farmed.