This is a wide sand and gravel plain north of the glacier Myrdalsjokull. North of it is the mountainous and colourful rhyolite and high temperature area called Torfajokull. The plain lies about 600 m above sea level. It is rather flat and barren and during the melting season, when large parts of it are under water, the travellers have to be careful not to get bogged down in the quagmires. The plain was named after a low, free-standing mountain, Maelifell, on its eastern part.

People crossing the interior areas in winter often encountered snowstorms and died of exposure. In 1868 four men perished and in 1968 two men as well, when their helicopter crashed. They survived the crash, but died of exposure.

This area is only accessible on foot or in rubust 4x4 vehicles.

Alftavatn 7 km <Maelifellssandur> Emstrur 7 km, Highway #.1 near Eldvatn 60 km, Kirkjubaejarklaustur 83 km.