About Heidarvatn
Heidarvatn is nestled along the southern tip of Iceland, near the village of Vik and world-famous black-sand beaches. There, the vast Heidar Valley awaits, filled with dramatic, natural beauty. This private and pristine 4,700-acre valley is ideal for adventurous fly anglers and travelers seeking solitude and a mix of Icelandic angling opportunities. Stays at Heidarvatn are intimate and immersive, and guests depart having formed their own relationships with the landscape.
The valley’s cornerstones are Lake Heidarvatn and its outlet, the River Vatnsa. Between the two venues, Heidarvatn guests have opportunities to fly fish for Atlantic salmon, sea-run and resident brown trout, and arctic char both on foot and by boat. Successful Heidarvatn anglers embrace the scale and variety of the fishery and are willing to walk around the bend to the next pool or point in the distance. Learn more about fishing at Heidarvatn.
Accompanying the beautiful and inspiring setting are two different accommodation options to match. Heidarvatn guests stay at the Riverside Lodge or Lakeside Cabin, each a comfortable, cozy, and modernized haven for relaxation and socializing when not exploring the valley. Read more about the lodging at Heidarvatn.
Stewardship & Rewilding
The current owners recognize that they occupy a small space in the long history of Heidarvatn and they view stewardship of the valley as important as any other effort. Over the last twenty years, a robust rewilding has taken place in an effort to restore the valley to a natural equilibrium, beginning with the removal of dilapidated farm buildings and infrastructure.
Additionally, a major reforestation has begun, with the planting of over 300,000 native birch and willow trees. These trees are now recreating the true Icelandic landscape, preventing erosion, and encouraging biodiversity. Rewilded, but not neglected, the valley now offers an accessible, natural experience for anglers, vacationers, hikers, and naturalists alike.
About Iceland
Iceland, the land of fire and ice, is an outdoor adventure-lover’s dream. Across an area of roughly 40,000 square miles spread mountains, volcanos, lava fields, glaciers, rivers, beaches, fjords, and trails - enough for a lifetime of exploration. And, with less than 400,000 residents (most of those in the Reykjavik area), it is among the most sparsely populated in Europe, with open spaces and solitude awaiting.
Located just south of the Arctic Circle, the climate in Iceland is classified as subarctic, with temperatures in the summertime ranging between 40 and 60 degrees F; spring and fall temperatures average ten to fifteen degrees cooler. Daylight fluctuates greatly over the course of the year, with a full 24 hours of sunlight in June and only four- to five-hours of light during winter months.
About the Region
The Heidar Valley is located in the southernmost region of Iceland, a short detour off the Ring Road, and minutes away from Vik. It is the warmest area in Iceland but also the wettest, and where mountains and rivers meet the sea. The natural beauty of the area is instantly apparent, with sea stacks visible in the distance, mountains in the other direction, and black-sand beaches lining the shores in between.
Vik is a small town with less than 1,000 residents but is a popular jumping-off point for travelers. The town is also host to a variety of amenities including a grocery store, fuel station, and several cafes, restaurants, and bars. Within a few hours’ drive from Vik are numerous parks, preserves, and forests with hiking trails, waterfalls, hot springs, beaches, and glaciers. How to get here.