Valleys · Iceland
Iceland Valleys
248 mapped · 8 regions · Saga & hot-spring valleys · Highland routes: summer only
ArniGael · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Илья Григорик · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
Sigurdur Jonsson · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0Iceland has hundreds of named valleys, and a few stand out: Ásbyrgi (the horseshoe canyon valley in the north), Reykjadalur (the steam valley with a bathe-in hot river near Reykjavík), and Þjórsárdalur and Stuðlagil for their basalt columns and saga history. The valleys of Skagafjörður hold much of the country’s saga heritage. Roadside valleys suit any car; highland F-road valleys need a 4×4 and open only in summer.
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Top valleys
Iceland’s best-known valleys — canyon, saga and hot-spring — with real access info. Distances on the cards are straight-line from Reykjavík.
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When & how to visit Iceland's valleys
Ásbyrgi and the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon anchor a full day in the north-east, near Dettifoss. Reykjadalur, close to Reykjavík, is a half-day hot-river hike — allow about 45 minutes uphill each way and stay on the marked path. The valleys of Skagafjörður — Svarfaðardalur, Kolbeinsdalur, Hjaltadalur and others — carry much of Iceland’s saga history and make good gravel-road touring. Þjórsárdalur pairs with Gjáin and Háifoss on the way to the southern highlands. Highland valleys like Vestdalur need an F-road and a 4×4, may involve river crossings, and open only in summer — check the road authority’s F-road status first, and never drive a 2WD on an F-road.
The valleys of Iceland, compared
All 240 named valleys, ranked — our best-documented picks first. Tap any name for the full guide. Length and access details come from Wikidata and OpenStreetMap where they exist.
| Valley | Region | Length / area | Known for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Stuðlagil | North Iceland | 0.5 km | Worth discovering |
 | Eldgjá | South Coast | 0.075 km | Worth discovering |
 | Jökulsárgljúfur | North Iceland | 0.024 km | Worth discovering |
 | Austurdalur | North Iceland | — | Worth discovering |
 | Ásbyrgi | North Iceland | — | Worth discovering |
 | Deildardalur | North Iceland | — | Worth discovering |
 | Eyjafjörður | North Iceland | — | Worth discovering |
 | Flateyjardalur | North Iceland | — | Worth discovering |
 | Fljótsdalur | East Iceland | — | Worth discovering |
 | Fnjóskadalur | North Iceland | — | Worth discovering |
 | Gjáin | South Coast | — | Worth discovering |
 | Hjaltadalur | North Iceland | — | Worth discovering |
 | Hrolleifsdalur | North Iceland | — | Worth discovering |
 | Hörgárdalur | North Iceland | — | Worth discovering |
 | Norðurárdalur | North Iceland | — | Worth discovering |
 | Reykjadalur | Reykjavík Area | — | Worth discovering |
 | Svarfaðardalur | North Iceland | — | Worth discovering |
 | Svartárdalur | North Iceland | — | Worth discovering |
 | Unadalur | North Iceland | — | Worth discovering |
 | Vatnsdalur | North Iceland | — | Worth discovering |
 | Þjórsárdalur | South Coast | — | Worth discovering |
 | Öxnadalur | North Iceland | — | Worth discovering |
| Gönguskörð | North Iceland | — | Worth discovering | |
| Kolbeinsdalur | North Iceland | — | Worth discovering | |
| Vestdalur | East Iceland | — | Worth discovering | |
| Vesturdalur | North Iceland | — | Worth discovering | |
 | Almannagjá | Reykjavík Area | 0.0077 km | Valley in Reykjavík Area |
 | Fjaðrárgljúfur | South Coast | 0.002 km | Valley in South Coast |
 | Aðaldalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland |
 | Akradalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland |
 | Álfagjá | Reykjanes Peninsula | — | Valley in Reykjanes Peninsula |
 | Bárðardalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland |
 | Berjadalur | West Iceland | — | Valley in West Iceland |
 | Botn | South Coast | — | Valley in South Coast |
 | Brúardalir | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland |
 | Brúarhlöð | Highlands | — | Valley in Highlands |
 | Brynjudalur | West Iceland | — | Valley in West Iceland |
 | Dalsmynni | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland |
 | Djúpidalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland |
 | Drekagil | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland |
 | Elliðaárdalur | Reykjavík Area | — | Valley in Reykjavík Area |
 | Eyjafjarðardalur | Highlands | — | Valley in Highlands |
 | Fiskidalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland |
 | Flosagjá | Reykjavík Area | — | Valley in Reykjavík Area |
 | Flókadalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland |
 | Geldingadalir | Reykjanes Peninsula | — | Valley in Reykjanes Peninsula |
 | Gemlufallsdalur | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords |
 | Gufudalur | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords |
 | Hafrahvammagljúfur | East Iceland | — | Valley in East Iceland |
 | Hagadalur | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords |
 | Haukadalur | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords |
 | Heinabergsdalur | East Iceland | — | Valley in East Iceland |
 | Hnappadalur | West Iceland | — | Valley in West Iceland |
 | Hrafnkelsdalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland |
 | Hvaldalur | East Iceland | — | Valley in East Iceland |
 | Hveradalir | Highlands | — | Valley in Highlands |
 | Hvítárgljúfur | South Coast | — | Valley in South Coast |
 | Ingjaldssandur | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords |
 | Jökuldalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland |
 | Kaldidalur | West Iceland | — | Valley in West Iceland |
 | Kerlingardalur | Highlands | — | Valley in Highlands |
 | Kolgrafardalur | East Iceland | — | Valley in East Iceland |
 | Kolugljúfur | West Iceland | — | Valley in West Iceland |
 | Kotagil | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland |
 | Langidalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland |
 | Laugarvalladalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland |
 | Lokinhamradalur | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords |
 | Lundarreykjadalur | West Iceland | — | Valley in West Iceland |
 | Markarfljótsgljúfur | South Coast | — | Valley in South Coast |
 | Mjóidalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland |
 | Morsárdalur | South Coast | — | Valley in South Coast |
 | Mosfellsdalur | Reykjavík Area | — | Valley in Reykjavík Area |
 | Nautagil | East Iceland | — | Valley in East Iceland |
 | Oddsdalur | East Iceland | — | Valley in East Iceland |
 | Porsmork | South Coast | — | Valley in South Coast |
 | Rauðfeldsgjá | West Iceland | — | Valley in West Iceland |
 | Reykholtsdalur | West Iceland | — | Valley in West Iceland |
 | Sauðárdalur | East Iceland | — | Valley in East Iceland |
 | Selárdalur | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords |
 | Seljalandsdalur | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords |
 | Skammidalur | East Iceland | — | Valley in East Iceland |
 | Skíðadalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland |
 | Skjálfandadjúp | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland |
 | Skriðdalur | East Iceland | — | Valley in East Iceland |
 | Starmýrardalur | East Iceland | — | Valley in East Iceland |
 | Suðurdalur | East Iceland | — | Valley in East Iceland |
 | Sveinsgil | South Coast | — | Valley in South Coast |
 | Sælingsdalur | West Iceland | — | Valley in West Iceland |
 | Tungudalur | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords |
 | Vatnsdalur (Northeastern Region, Iceland) | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland |
 | Vattardalur | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords |
 | Yxnadalur | East Iceland | — | Valley in East Iceland |
| Surtarbrandsgil | Westfjords | 272.03194 km² | Valley in Westfjords | |
| Aratungudalur | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords | |
| Austdalur | East Iceland | — | Valley in East Iceland | |
| Ausudalur | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords | |
| Bakdalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Beinadalur | South Coast | — | Valley in South Coast | |
| Beinidalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Birnudalur | East Iceland | — | Valley in East Iceland | |
| Bjargadalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Bjarnardalur | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords | |
| Blikdalur | Reykjavík Area | — | Valley in Reykjavík Area | |
| Broddadalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Bustarbrekkudalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Bustardalur | West Iceland | — | Valley in West Iceland | |
| Búðardalur | West Iceland | — | Valley in West Iceland | |
| Daladalur | East Iceland | — | Valley in East Iceland | |
| Dimmudalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Drangagil | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Draugadalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Draugagil | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords | |
| Dunkardalur | West Iceland | — | Valley in West Iceland | |
| Dyngjufjalladalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Dynjandisdalur | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords | |
| Einisdalur | West Iceland | — | Valley in West Iceland | |
| Einistorfa | Highlands | — | Valley in Highlands | |
| Ekkilsdalur | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords | |
| Endalausidalur | East Iceland | — | Valley in East Iceland | |
| Eyjadalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Eyrardalur | East Iceland | — | Valley in East Iceland | |
| Fanndalur | West Iceland | — | Valley in West Iceland | |
| Faxagil | East Iceland | — | Valley in East Iceland | |
| Fjallgil | South Coast | — | Valley in South Coast | |
| Fleinsdalur | East Iceland | — | Valley in East Iceland | |
| Flekkudalur | West Iceland | — | Valley in West Iceland | |
| Flosadalur | South Coast | — | Valley in South Coast | |
| Fossadalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Frakkadalur | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords | |
| Fremridalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Fremstidalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Furudalur | West Iceland | — | Valley in West Iceland | |
| Gautsdalur | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords | |
| Geiradalur | West Iceland | — | Valley in West Iceland | |
| Geitdalur | East Iceland | — | Valley in East Iceland | |
| Gilhagadalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Giljadalir | East Iceland | — | Valley in East Iceland | |
| Giljadalur | Highlands | — | Valley in Highlands | |
| Gilsdalur | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords | |
| Gimbragil | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords | |
| Glerdalur | West Iceland | — | Valley in West Iceland | |
| Grafardalur | West Iceland | — | Valley in West Iceland | |
| Grasafjallsgil | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Grasgil | South Coast | — | Valley in South Coast | |
| Grágæsadalur | Highlands | — | Valley in Highlands | |
| Grenjadalur | West Iceland | — | Valley in West Iceland | |
| Grensdalur | West Iceland | — | Valley in West Iceland | |
| Grímsstaðadalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Grunnavatnsdalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Gulsgil | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Gunnhildardalur | East Iceland | — | Valley in East Iceland | |
| Haffjardalur | West Iceland | — | Valley in West Iceland | |
| Hagavatnadalur | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords | |
| Heilagsdalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Heimdalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Heljardalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Hesteyrardalur | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords | |
| Hesthorn | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords | |
| Hilludalur | Highlands | — | Valley in Highlands | |
| Hnefillsdalur | East Iceland | — | Valley in East Iceland | |
| Hoffellsdalur | East Iceland | — | Valley in East Iceland | |
| Holtsgil | South Coast | — | Valley in South Coast | |
| Hrafndalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Hringsdalur | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords | |
| Hrossaborgardalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Hrossadalir | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Hvanndalir | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Hvanneyrardalur | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords | |
| Hvarfdalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Hvassafellsdalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Hveragil | Highlands | — | Valley in Highlands | |
| Hvestudalur | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords | |
| Hvolsdalur | West Iceland | — | Valley in West Iceland | |
| Illagil | South Coast | — | Valley in South Coast | |
| Illagilsdalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Illugil | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords | |
| Innstidalur | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords | |
| Jafnadalur | East Iceland | — | Valley in East Iceland | |
| Kaldbaksdalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Kambadalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Karlsdalur | West Iceland | — | Valley in West Iceland | |
| Ketilseyrardalur | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords | |
| Klaufabrekknadalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Korpudalur | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords | |
| Kotadalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Krossadalur | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords | |
| Krossgil | East Iceland | — | Valley in East Iceland | |
| Kvarningsdalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Lakalandsgil | South Coast | — | Valley in South Coast | |
| Lambatungudalur | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords | |
| Lambeyrardalur | East Iceland | — | Valley in East Iceland | |
| Langavatnsdalur | West Iceland | — | Valley in West Iceland | |
| Leirudalur | East Iceland | — | Valley in East Iceland | |
| Litlasandsdalur | West Iceland | — | Valley in West Iceland | |
| Markagil | South Coast | — | Valley in South Coast | |
| Meladalur | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords | |
| Merargil | East Iceland | — | Valley in East Iceland | |
| Merkidalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Meyjardalur | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords | |
| Mosgil | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Muggudalir | South Coast | — | Valley in South Coast | |
| Ormsdalur | West Iceland | — | Valley in West Iceland | |
| Partsgil | East Iceland | — | Valley in East Iceland | |
| Rafnseyrardalur | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords | |
| Raufargil | South Coast | — | Valley in South Coast | |
| Reipsdalur | East Iceland | — | Valley in East Iceland | |
| Sandabotnar | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Sanddalur | East Iceland | — | Valley in East Iceland | |
| Sandfellsdalur | Highlands | — | Valley in Highlands | |
| Sauradalur | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords | |
| Saurdalur | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords | |
| Seljagil | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords | |
| Skaradalur | West Iceland | — | Valley in West Iceland | |
| Skarfadalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Skeggjadalur | West Iceland | — | Valley in West Iceland | |
| Skjaldfannardalur | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords | |
| Skyndidalur | East Iceland | — | Valley in East Iceland | |
| Slenjudalur | East Iceland | — | Valley in East Iceland | |
| Spanarhraun | East Iceland | — | Valley in East Iceland | |
| Stafnsgil | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Stapadalur | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords | |
| Stefningardalur | West Iceland | — | Valley in West Iceland | |
| Steinsnesdalur | East Iceland | — | Valley in East Iceland | |
| Stekkjardalur | East Iceland | — | Valley in East Iceland | |
| Stuttidalur | East Iceland | — | Valley in East Iceland | |
| Sunddalur | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords | |
| Sunnudalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Sveinsdalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Sverrisdalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Timburvalladalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Tinnudalur | East Iceland | — | Valley in East Iceland | |
| Tjaldanesdalur | Westfjords | — | Valley in Westfjords | |
| Tjarnardalir | Highlands | — | Valley in Highlands | |
| Torfufellsdalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Upsadalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Valadalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Vegagil | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Víðidalur (Skagafjörður) | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Víkingsdalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland | |
| Ytridalur | North Iceland | — | Valley in North Iceland |
Valley questions
What is Ásbyrgi?
Ásbyrgi is a horseshoe-shaped canyon valley in North Iceland, part of Vatnajökull National Park about 60 km from Húsavík. Its sheer 100-metre cliffs enclose a wooded floor with an easy walking trail and a small pond at the head. It sits at the northern end of the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon.
Can I bathe in Reykjadalur?
Yes. Reykjadalur — the "steam valley" near Hveragerði, about 45 minutes from Reykjavík — has a warm river you can sit in. It is a roughly 45-minute uphill hike each way from the car park. Stay on the marked path: the surrounding ground is geothermally active and can scald. There is a wooden boardwalk and changing screens at the bathing spot.
Which valleys need a 4WD to reach?
Roadside valleys like Öxnadalur, Eyjafjörður and the Skagafjörður saga valleys have paved or graded gravel access suitable for any car. Highland valleys such as Vestdalur are reached via F-roads that require a 4×4, may involve river crossings, and typically open only in summer. Check road status before you drive.
What is Stuðlagil?
Stuðlagil is a basalt-column canyon in the Jökuldalur valley in East Iceland. The columns became visible after the Kárahnjúkar hydropower dam lowered the Jökulsá á Dal river. There are viewpoints on both riverbanks; the east bank reaches the canyon floor via a longer walk, the west bank offers a shorter viewpoint.
When can I visit Iceland’s highland valleys?
Highland and F-road valleys are generally a summer-only destination, roughly late June to early September, once the mountain roads open and rivers drop. Exact opening dates shift year to year with snowmelt — check the road authority’s F-road status before setting out, and never drive a 2WD on an F-road.
Are valleys good for hiking in Iceland?
Yes — valleys are among the most walkable landscapes in Iceland. Sheltered valley floors like Fnjóskadalur (with the country’s northernmost woodland) and Fljótsdalur (beside Hallormsstaðaskógur forest) offer gentler walking than exposed highland routes. Weather in valleys can differ from the surrounding uplands, so carry layers and tell someone your route.
Iceland nowfrom 19 Sep 06:10