Iceland’s valleys: compare 28 destination guides
Compare 28 destination guides by the kind of day they need: a local walk, an inland drive, a booked visit or a highland journey.
Choose the kind of day you want
For a museum and a walk near Reykjavík, compare Mosfellsdalur with the urban paths of Elliðaárdalur. For an East Iceland driving day, distinguish the current Ring Road through Fagridalur from Route 95 through Breiðdalur. A highland stay at Nýidalur needs both a reservation and an open, suitable approach.
Avoid the place-name traps
Reykjadalur near Hveragerði is the hot-river hiking destination; Reykjadalur around Laugar is in North Iceland. Borgarfjörður in the west is different from Borgarfjörður eystri. The Vesturdalur guide here covers Skagafjörður’s inland valley, not the namesake in Jökulsárgljúfur. Select the region as well as the name when searching a map.
South Iceland
Þórsmörk
Hiking routes and transport into a valley with river crossings.
Þjórsárdalur
Original Stöng remains, a separate reconstructed farm and waterfall approaches.
Reykjadalur
The hot-river hike above Hveragerði; check trail closures first.
Hvannadalur
Separate the Literary Walk from the longer valley extension.
Landmannalaugar
Highland access, walking routes and the bathing area.
Capital area
West Iceland
Borgarfjörður
Build an inland West Iceland day around Reykholt and the Húsafell approach.
Hvalfjörður
Choose a fjord drive, Glymur hike or timed bathing visit.
Skorradalur
Forest entrances, lakeside scenery and a separate mountain crossing.
Reykholtsdalur
Reykholt history, seasonal Snorrastofa hours and Krauma costs.
North Iceland
Skagafjörður
Glaumbær’s opening calendar and specific riding or coastal outings.
Öxnadalur
Ring Road views or the longer Hraunsvatn walk from Hraun.
Vesturdalur
The inland Skagafjörður valley; distinguish it from the northeastern namesake.
Svarfaðardalur
Wetland walks from Dalvík or Húsabakki.
Bárðardalur
Separate Goðafoss, the Aldeyjarfoss detour and an F26 crossing.
Fnjóskadalur
Vaglaskógur woodland and the river valley east of Akureyri.
Laxárdalur
The Laxá river valley near Mývatn; check individual fishing arrangements.
Aðaldalur
Lowland countryside, lava landscapes and heritage stops.
Flateyjardalur
A remote northern side trip with separate approach requirements.
Reykjadalur (Þingeyjarsýslu)
The northern Reykjadalur around Laugar, not the Hveragerði hot-river hike.
East Iceland
Jökuldalur
Stuðlagil access and the wider Jökulsá á Dal valley.
Fljótsdalur
Hengifoss, the cultural center and Snæfellsstofa park information.
Breiðdalur
Choose Route 95 inland or the coastal Ring Road.
Fagridalur
The Ring Road connection between Egilsstaðir and Reyðarfjörður.
Skriðdalur
Þingmúli divides the inland valley; check current road numbers.
Westfjords
Central Highlands
Before you set out
Check road conditions, travel notices and the specific destination’s hours. A road, a hiking trail and a staffed attraction can have different opening conditions on the same day.
Planning help
Questions about Iceland’s valleys: compare 28 destination guides
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
Does this list cover every valley in Iceland?
No. It links to 28 destination guides selected for this site, including valley districts and the Landmannalaugar highland destination.
Which Reykjadalur is the hot-river hike?
The southern Reykjadalur above Hveragerði. The northern Reykjadalur around Laugar is a different place.
Does a valley road being open mean the hikes are open?
No. Check the specific trail, river crossings and current notices separately from the driving route.
Country reference: Iceland statistics.