This is a wide sand and gravel plain north of the glacier Myrdalsjokull. North of it
is the mountainous and colourful rhyolite and high temperature area called Torfajokull.
The plain lies about 600 m above sea level. It is rather flat and barren and during the
melting season, when large parts of it are under water, the travellers have to be careful
not to get bogged down in the quagmires. The plain
was named after a low, free-standing
mountain, Maelifell, on its eastern part.
People crossing the
interior areas in winter
often encountered snowstorms and died of exposure. In 1868 four men perished and in 1968
two men as well, when their helicopter crashed. They survived the crash, but died of
This area is only accessible on foot or in
rubust 4x4 vehicles.
HIGHLAND ICELAND SAGA
7 km <Maelifellssandur> Emstrur
7 km, Highway #.1 near Eldvatn 60 km, Kirkjubaejarklaustur