The preferred technique for handling a sheep is to grab it by the horns, hold its body with the thighs and lift its forefeet slightly up.

Where Icelandic sheep spend the year

Sheep are let out when the new lambs are born in May. They graze the Icelandic countryside for the whole summer, feeding only on fresh grass, herbs and berries. In wintertime most Icelandic sheep are inside stables or close to the farms. Wool from Icelandic sheep divides into thel and tog, and only very few of the hundreds of sheep breeds in the world today have such a double-coated structure.

What they eat, and what it does to the lamb

Visit Iceland attributes the taste of Icelandic lamb meat to summer grazing.

How sheep are identified

The livestock marks recognised in Icelandic law are microchips, freeze marks, brand marks, plate marks and ear marks. An owner is obliged to keep a clear mark on their livestock. Sheep at the sorting pens are identified by their earmarks.

Where they are allowed to graze

Land covered by a fjallskilasamthykkt is divided into afrettir, the mountain commons, and heimalond, the home lands. Each fjallskil district board keeps a register of every mountain common in use, its marks, which farms may drive livestock onto it, and who owns it where it is privately owned. A fjallskil district board may decide when each species of livestock may first be driven onto a mountain common.

Bringing them home

Rettir is the Icelandic sheep round-up, and it takes place all over the country from early September to mid-October. When the collected flock reaches the valley, it is herded into sorting pens made up of one central pen and many spokes that belong to certain farms.

Sheep farming now

Sheep farming in Iceland has become less and less profitable over the decades.

Checking road conditions before driving out

Road conditions and closures for Iceland are published by the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration.
Use the Road Conditions to help plan your trip.

Comparing North Iceland tours

You can compare North Iceland tours to see the current options.