Réttir in Iceland: The Traditional Autumn Sheep Roundup

Every autumn, after spending the summer roaming freely across Iceland’s mountains and open countryside, the sheep return home. They do not return quietly. Their arrival marks one of Iceland’s oldest and most colourful rural traditions: réttir, the annual sheep roundup. Last Saturday, 12 September, Tungnaréttir took place here in Biskupstungur, bringing together farmers, families, friends and visitors for a day that combines serious work with a wonderfully social atmosphere.

What exactly are réttir?

During spring, Icelandic sheep and their lambs are released into open grazing areas. They spend the short Icelandic summer outdoors, often roaming over mountains, valleys and heathland far from roads and farms.

When autumn approaches, farmers and local volunteers head into the countryside to gather the sheep. This part of the process is known as göngur. The flock is then driven to a communal stone or wooden enclosure called a rétt.

The traditional rétt usually has a large central pen surrounded by smaller compartments, known as dilkar. The sheep are brought into the centre and then identified by their earmarks and sorted into the correct family or farm compartment.

It is an impressive mixture of organisation and controlled chaos—particularly for someone seeing it for the first time.

Why Icelandic lamb is so special

Icelandic lamb is closely connected to the landscape in which the animals spend their summer.

The lambs grow up outdoors, moving freely and feeding on the natural vegetation available to them. Depending on the grazing area, this can include grasses, wild herbs and berries growing across Iceland’s uncultivated highlands and valleys.

This natural and varied diet, together with constant movement in the open landscape, contributes to the distinctive character and flavour associated with Icelandic lamb. It is also why the annual roundup is about much more than simply moving animals. It marks the end of a summer spent in the wild and the return of the flock to the farms before winter.

For Icelanders, the story of the lamb begins in the mountains—and réttir are one of the most visible parts of that story.

Work, tradition and a great atmosphere

Réttir are first and foremost a working event. The sheep must be identified, separated and returned safely to their owners.

But réttir are also an important social occasion. They bring together generations of farming families, neighbours and friends—often accompanied by singing, good-natured discussion, coffee and traditional Icelandic food.

There is a sense of shared purpose that is increasingly rare. Children participate alongside parents and grandparents, experienced farmers recognise animals and earmarks at remarkable speed, and visitors get a glimpse of a living tradition rather than a performance created for tourists.

That combination of real work, community spirit and celebration gives réttir their unique atmosphere.

Could réttir become UNESCO cultural heritage?

The cultural importance of réttir is now attracting wider attention. In September 2026, Icelandic folklorist Jón Jónsson suggested that the tradition should be considered for inclusion on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Such recognition would not be about preserving réttir as a museum piece or turning them into a tourist performance. UNESCO’s concept of intangible cultural heritage focuses on living traditions—knowledge, skills and social practices that are passed from one generation to the next and continue to form part of community life.

Réttir appear to fit that description remarkably well. The tradition combines generations of practical knowledge about sheep farming, the landscape, earmarks and animal handling with community participation, storytelling, singing and celebration. It has evolved over time but remains an authentic and important part of rural life throughout Iceland.

The idea is still at an early stage, and no UNESCO designation has yet been made. Nevertheless, the discussion itself underlines something visitors often sense when attending réttir: this is not merely an agricultural task, but a living expression of Icelandic culture.

You can read more about the proposal in RÚV’s report on recognising réttir as living cultural heritage.

Please drive carefully around réttir

During the roundup season, visitors travelling through rural Iceland should be especially careful on the roads.

While the gathering is taking place, large groups of sheep may be driven along or across public roads. Individual animals can also become separated from the flock and behave unpredictably. Riders, shepherds, working dogs and slow-moving farm vehicles may be present as well.

If you encounter sheep on the road:

• Slow down early and be prepared to stop.

• Do not sound the horn or attempt to force your way through the flock.

• Follow any instructions given by farmers or shepherds.

• Allow the entire flock to pass before continuing.

• Never release a dog near a roundup or grazing sheep.

A short delay is a small price to pay for keeping animals, farmers and road users safe—and it may give you one of the most memorable sights of your Icelandic journey. 

More réttir coming up

If you missed Tungnaréttir, several other sheep roundups are scheduled in South Iceland over the coming days:

• Landréttir at Áfangagil, Rangárþing ytra — Thursday, 17 September at 12:00.

• Reyðarvatnsréttir, Rangárþing ytra — Saturday, 19 September at 13:00.

• Selvogsrétt, Selvogur — Sunday, 20 September at 09:00. The gathering of the sheep is scheduled for the previous day.

Dates and times can change because of weather and local conditions, so always check the latest information before setting out. Réttir are working agricultural events rather than organised tourist shows. Visitors should park responsibly, remain outside working areas unless invited in and follow all local instructions.

The updated national schedule is available from Bændablaðið.

Experience rural Iceland from Reykholt

Guests staying at Blue Hotel Fagrilundur or Blue View Cabins are based in the heart of a historic farming region on Iceland’s Golden Circle. The famous waterfalls, geothermal areas and national parks may attract most of the attention, but traditions such as réttir reveal another side of Iceland: a close relationship between people, animals, landscape and the changing seasons.

If you happen to see sheep being driven home during your journey, slow down, give them plenty of space and enjoy the moment. You are witnessing a living tradition—one that may one day be recognised by UNESCO as part of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity.