Access and Information
The nature reserve is located in Öxnadalur, east of the main highway. The land is owned by Menningarfélagið Hraun í Öxnadal ehf. (The Hraun in Öxnadal Cultural Association Ltd.).
At Hraun, a residence has been established for poets, writers, and scholars, while the surrounding area has been developed as a nature reserve and outdoor recreation area for public use. The house itself is not open to the public except during specially announced events.
Management and operation of the nature reserve are overseen by a three-member management committee, consisting of one representative from Hörgársveit Municipality, one representative from Hraun í Öxnadal ehf., and one representative from the Iceland Nature Conservation Agency.
Protection Status
Hraun in Öxnadalur was designated a nature reserve (fólkvangur) in 2007. The protected area covers 2,286.3 hectares.
The objective of protecting part of the Hraun estate is to preserve the area for outdoor recreation, nature appreciation, and education. The conservation value of the site is based on its highly diverse landscape and natural environment, particularly its geological features, as well as important remains of historical farming practices.
The protection designation also aims to facilitate public access to and appreciation of the area’s cultural heritage and literary legacy, as it is the birthplace of the poet and naturalist Jónas Hallgrímsson.