Hvannalindir is an oasis in the otherwise completely barren landscape of the Icelandic highlands. It is located along the Lindá River, which joins with the Lindakvísl River, meandering through the vegetation around the solitary volcanic cone Lindakeilir. The name Hvannalindir comes from the Icelandic word for angelica, which grows here undisturbed because the area has not been exposed to livestock grazing. The dominant plants are willows and angelicas, with a total of 32 species of flowering plants growing in the area. Thirty species of birds have been observed here, six of which nest regularly.
There are significant cultural landmarks in the area, including the ruins of an outlaw’s hideout at the edge of the Lindahraun lava field. These ruins were discovered in 1880 and archaeologically examined in 1941 by Kristján Eldjárn, who later became the President of Iceland. According to legend, the famous outlaw Fjalla-Eyvindur and his companion Halla stayed here in the years after 1767.
Hvannalindir is part of the Vatnajökull National Park and has been a protected area since 1973. You can reach it via F903 Hvannalidavegur road, and there is a ford across the Lindá River in the area. There is also a permanent station for national park administration staff.
