Valagil

This hike begins about 9 kilometers north of the town Súðavík, near the larger community of Isafjördúr, in the northwest of Iceland. This trek is easily accomplished, even for beginners. The trail winds through a relatively flat valley and up to a hidden waterfall. The waterfall of Valagil is not visible from the dirt parking lot, and it remains inconspicuous until hikers round the final corner. Look south from the parking area for a sign near the beginning of the trail, showing the distance to the falls (2 kilometers).

The round-trip distance from the trailhead to the falls and back is 4 kilometers, or roughly 2.5 miles. While hiking along this path, visitors will see many examples of local Icelandic flora and fauna. Wild thyme, purple and low to the ground, coats the landscape. It’s said that Icelandic sheep are not in need of any seasoning, as they are butchered and ready to eat because of the amount of thyme they eat. The keen botanist will find small green orchid, while the basic observer will see cottongrass flowing in the breeze. Icelandic sheep wander through the fields and mallard ducks nest alongshore the river outlet.