The area around Barðaströnd, where Rauðsdalur stands today, was settled early during the Settlement Age in the 9th and 10th centuries when Norse settlers established farms throughout the Westfjords. According to the Book of Settlements (Landnámabók), many settlers came to Breiðafjörður and settled along the fjords and coastlines where both farming and fishing could be practiced.

Nature shaped life from the beginning. Mountains, fjords, and coastlines made travel difficult but at the same time provided shelter for farming and fishing.

Life in the Westfjords
In the first centuries of Iceland’s settlement, people in the Westfjords mainly lived from:

sheep farming
seafaring and fishing
the use of marine and bird resources
driftwood that washed ashore

Breiðafjörður was especially important because it provided rich fishing grounds and easy access to marine resources. Farmers in the area often had to rely on both land and sea to survive the harsh conditions.

Isolation and Rural Life
For centuries the Westfjords were one of the most isolated regions of Iceland. Mountains and fjords made travel difficult, and people often had to travel by boat between places.

This isolation meant that communities maintained strong traditions and ways of life well into the 20th century. Rural life, farming, and a close connection to nature formed the foundation of the community.

Breiðafjörður and Seafaring
Breiðafjörður has always been important for settlement in the area. Its waters provided fishing grounds, bird hunting, and seal hunting that helped people survive.

On the shores of Barðaströnd and Rauðsdalur, driftwood from Siberia and northern Russia also often washed ashore. Driftwood was once an extremely valuable resource in Iceland, where forests were scarce.

Rauðsdalur Today
Today, Rauðsdalur remains a rural farm where traditional farming with sheep and cows is practiced. The place is known for the beautiful sandy beach below the farm and the view across Breiðafjörður.

The area is also well located for travelers who want to visit natural attractions such as Rauðisandur and Látrabjarg.