Access and Information
Varmárósar is located in Mosfellsbær and is accessible year-round.
Parking is available near the equestrian facilities, and a walking path leads from there to Hestaþinghóll.
Visitors are advised to exercise caution within the reserve, as the saltmarsh vegetation is sensitive to trampling, and special consideration should be given to breeding birds during nesting season.
Protection Status
Varmárósar was first designated a protected area in 1980, with the protection status later revised in 2012 and 2021. The area has been listed on Iceland’s Nature Conservation Register since 1978.
The conservation value of Varmárósar lies primarily in its importance for protecting a rare plant species, while the salt marshes themselves are notable for their unique vegetation and their role as important bird habitats. Varmárósar is one of only two known locations in Iceland where saltmarsh rush (fitjasef) occurs. This species is classified as Near Threatened on the Red List of the Icelandic Institute of Natural History (2018) and is also legally protected. The reserve also contains habitats of high conservation value, including saltmarsh ecosystems, which are important for both bird species and rare plants. In addition, the reserve forms part of the larger Leiruvogur area, which is considered internationally important for migratory species such as the barnacle goose and purple sandpiper.
The purpose of the protection designation is to protect and maintain the saltmarsh rush and its habitat, as well as the natural condition of the area’s wetlands, unique vegetation, and bird habitats. Another key objective is to support research and ecological monitoring, with particular focus on the saltmarsh rush, its habitat, and the wetland, coastal, and shoreline ecosystems found within the reserve. Furthermore, the designation aims to strengthen the area’s value for recreation, research, and environmental education.