|
Holsfjoll, or
Fjallasveit, is the name of the area to the east of River Jokulsa a
Fjollum to the north of the present road # 1. It extends east to the
mountain ranges Dimmifjallgardur and Haugsoraefi (1000 m).. The first farm
was built there in the 14th century (Holl) and later the
southernmost one, which is the only inhabited one nowadays,
Grimsstadir. In the middle of the 19th century quite a few
new farms were built in the area, and in 1859 approximately 100 people
lived in the community.
The families, who
lived there had to their necessities over a 100 km long bridle path to
the trading post at Vopnafiordur (45 km between the closest farms). The
quality of the smoked lamb from this area was highly appreciated, but
because of overgrazing and the consequent erosion the farming came to an
end.
During the last few
decades much has been done successfully to reclaim the area and stop the
erosion. During summer the road through this area is much frequented by
those who want to see Europe’s mightiest waterfall, Dettifoss. It is
also accessible from the western side of the river. Both roads are closed during winter. |