Vigdísarvellir

Background

History & Background

The Vigdísarvellir area contains the ruins of the old farms Bali and Vigdísarvellir. The area later became a recreational and camping destination with access to multiple hiking routes in the Krýsuvík interior. Road 428 is seasonal and closed in winter.

Vigdísarvellir lies in the interior of the Reykjanes Peninsula within the broader Krýsuvík landscape. Today it is valued for quiet outdoor recreation, but the area also preserves the remains of earlier settlement. Visit Reykjanes specifically identifies the ruins of the old farms Bali and Vigdísarvellir, giving the site a cultural layer that is easy to miss if it is described only as a hiking trail. The surrounding landscape consists of low volcanic mountains, old lava and open valleys, with numerous possible walks toward areas such as Djúpavatn, Sogin and the Krýsuvík highlands. A campsite has also operated at Vigdísarvellir, making it a traditional base for people exploring this less-developed part of the peninsula. Access is a major practical consideration. Vigdísarvellir is reached by Road 428, and Visit Reykjanes states explicitly that the road is closed during winter. Road conditions can also vary outside the formal closure period, so travellers should check current road information before setting out and should not assume that an ordinary sightseeing car can always reach the area comfortably. At the ruins, visitors should avoid disturbing stonework or archaeological remains. The appeal of Vigdísarvellir is the combination of abandoned settlement, open landscape and access to a network of quieter walks rather than one headline attraction.