This is a vast moorland area (200-300 m above sea level) to the south of bay Thistilfjordur.  It derives its name from Mt Burfell (620 m) in its centre.  The mountain range Laufskalafjallgardur stretches to the west.  The area is considered the most vegetated moorland of District North Thingeyjarsysla. It comprises swamps and is dotted with lakes.  The drier areas are excellent grazings for the farms of the counties Oxarfiord, Thistilfiord and Holsfjoll.

In earlier times several farms were located on the moorland.  The last one to be abandoned late in the 19^th century was Foss, which was haunted and the ghosts drove the inhabitants away.  River Svalbardsa is created by several streams discharging the lakes and spills into bay Tistilfjordur.