Access and visitor information
A beautiful nature and landscape conservation area with diverse birdlife, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, gorges and ravines, heritage sites, and a rich cultural landscape. In the lowlands the reserve is green and fertile, while the highlands offer beautiful and largely unspoilt open wilderness.
Protection Status
Vatnsfjörður was designated a nature reserve in 1975. The purpose of the designation is to conserve the landscape, vegetation, and wildlife of Vatnsfjörður.
The reserve lies within the land of the principal estate of Brjánslækur and its associated abandoned farms. Its boundary begins at Þverá river to the west, broadly following the watershed across Hornatær mountains and Dynjandisheiði heath northwards to Gláma highlands, then south across Þingmannaheiði heath and southwest to Hörgsnes point, which marks the eastern side of the fjord entrance.
The total area of the reserve is approximately 19,000 hectares (190 km²).