Valley Length
Remote valley
Long deserted valley running north-to-south toward Skjálfandi Bay
Flateyjardalur: Deserted Wilderness Valley in Northeast Iceland
Flateyjardalur
A remote valley on the Flateyjarskagi peninsula. Runs north toward Skjálfandi Bay. Uninhabited and rarely visited. Suited to long self-sufficient hikes, with good berry picking in late summer.
Region
Northeast Iceland
Best time: July to August
Quick Answer
Flateyjardalur runs north from Fnjóskadalur toward Skjálfandi Bay. Understand its seasonal houses, limited communications and the planning needed for remote access.
Flateyjardalur is one of Iceland's most remote valleys: a remote valley on the Flateyjarskagi peninsula. Once home to scattered farms, permanent habitation ended in 1953, while some houses remain in seasonal use. Visit Mývatn describes short seasonal 4WD access and unreliable phone reception. In late summer, wild berries cover the valley floor.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
⚠️ Flateyjardalur has NO services, NO phone signal, and NO emergency facilities. Always inform someone of your plans. Carry all supplies including food, water, and first aid. This valley is for experienced, self-sufficient hikers only.
For sourcing standards and how to report an error, see the editorial policy.
Official sources to check
Status
Uninhabited
No permanent residents since 1953; some seasonal houses
Safety
Remote
No services and limited and unreliable phone reception; experienced hikers only
Best Season
Jul–Aug
Short summer window for hiking and berry picking
History
Deserted 1950s
The last permanent residents left in the 1950s due to harsh conditions and isolation
Birdlife
Seabird Cliffs
Coastal cliffs at the valley mouth host large seabird colonies in summer
Key Highlights
True Wilderness
Remote valley with seasonal houses and limited communications
Remote Hiking
Plan a named walking route with a confirmed return arrangement
Berry Picking
Wild blueberries and crowberries in late August and September
Skjálfandi Bay Views
Northern end of the valley opens toward the bay known for whale watching
Abandoned Farmsteads
Ruins of farms left behind during Iceland's rural depopulation
Flateyjarskagi Peninsula
One of Iceland's least-visited peninsulas, between Eyjafjörður and Skjálfandi
How to Get There
- The valley extends north from Fnjóskadalur toward Skjálfandi Bay
- Ask locally for the exact approach and the current track conditions
- Visit Mývatn describes short summer access requiring 4WD
- Carry supplies and arrange a return plan before leaving reliable communications
- Seasonal houses are not public shelters
Best Time to Visit
- Summer access is brief and depends on current conditions
- A valley traverse needs a measured route and an independent return plan
- September: Possible but days shorten quickly and road may deteriorate
- October-May: Valley road may be impassable due to snow and poor conditions
- Late June: Wildflowers and migratory birds in the valley's wetland areas
Deserted does not mean without a history
Visit Mývatn records permanent habitation until 1953 and three surviving concrete houses built in the late 1920s, now used in summer. The valley takes its name from Flatey offshore. Respect the houses and any access notices; these are traces of a settled landscape rather than visitor shelters.
The same source describes short seasonal access requiring 4WD and weak, unstable phone reception. Confirm the approach, conditions and return plan locally before leaving Fnjóskadalur. A broad description of a valley is not enough to establish a safe one-day traverse.
Planning help
Flateyjardalur FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
Is Flateyjardalur really uninhabited?
Permanent habitation ended in 1953, according to Visit Mývatn. It records three concrete houses from the late1920s that are used seasonally. The absence of permanent residents does not make houses or surrounding land open to visitors.
What hiking is available in Flateyjardalur?
The valley offers remote walking, but a measured route with a verified start, finish and return arrangement has not been established here. Obtain a current local route description instead of treating a valley length as the distance of a marked trail.
When is the best time for berry picking?
Late August and early September are prime berry-picking season in Flateyjardalur. The valley floor supports blueberries (bilberries) and crowberries. The lack of human activity means the berry patches are abundant and undisturbed.
What safety precautions should I take?
Flateyjardalur is extremely remote with no services, limited and unreliable phone reception, and no emergency facilities. Always inform someone of your plans and expected return time. Carry all food, water, first aid, and navigation equipment. Be prepared for sudden weather changes. This is not a valley for inexperienced hikers.
How do I reach Flateyjardalur?
Visit Mývatn places the valley north of Fnjóskadalur and describes a short summer access season requiring 4WD. Confirm the exact approach and current track conditions locally; no car-to-coast itinerary is verified here.
Country reference: Iceland statistics.