Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.06.2007, Qupperneq 22

6_REYKJAVÍK_GRAPEVINE_ISSUE 07_007_DESTINATIONS
Walking Trails Near Reykjavík Text by Sveinn Birkir Björnsson Photos by Gulli
Þingvellir, by Lake Þingvallavatn, is a historical place in Iceland.
The site of Alþingi, one of the oldest parliamentary institu-
tions of the world. A national park since 1928, Þingvellir was
recently designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The
continental drift can clearly be seen in the cracks which traverse
the region. There are many trails around Þingvellir and Lake
Þingvallarvatn. Treks will take you along Almannagjá, Lögberg
the cliff overlooking the place where the Alþingi (assembly),
met and Drekkingarhylur (The Drowning Pool), where mothers
of illegitimate children were drowned.
Þingvellir National Park
The natural reserve park, Heiðmörk, lies just outside Reykjavík.
Since 1949, Reykjavík’s Forestry Station has planted an estimat-
ed 50 million trees in the park. With a large recreational area,
the park is full of walking, jogging and biking trails between
the small forests and beautiful lava formations. Within the
park are Red Hills pseudo-craters, unique red lava formations
that are created when the hot lava crosses a wet surface and
the steam explodes through the lava surface. Heiðmörk is
an ideal spot for romantic late night walks, family picnics or
cross-country running.
Heiðmörk Park
The suburban town Mosfellsbær sits on the outskirts of Reyk-
javík City, at the bottom of the beautiful Mosfellsdalur valley.
There are many intriguing walking treks around the valley,
although two deserve a special attention. From the Laxness
museum in Gljúfrasteinn, the former home of Nobel Prize
winning author and poet, Halldór Laxness, two marked trails
go by the name ‘In the Path of the Poet.’ The trails will take
trekkers through some of the poet’s favourite spots; some of
which served as backdrops to the events in his epic novels.
Mosfellsdalur Valley
The Bláfjöll (Blue Mountains) mountain range is Reykjavík
City’s skiing resort, but the area is also full of exciting hiking
treks. The old Reykjavegur trail, an old walking route from
Reykjanes to Þingvellir, has been divided up to seven sections,
each one being ideal for a day’s walk. Two sections of the old
Reykjavegur trail start and end in Bláfjöll: the 16 km Kaldársel
– Bláfjöll trek, between the mountain and the beautiful Haf-
nafjörður lava fields; and the 20 km Bláfjöll – Hamragil trail.
The treks are marked and easily navigated.
Mt. Bláfjöll
The 914 meter high Esja stands across from Reykjavík on the
other side of Kollafjörður, the small cove by which the city
is built. While technically not a mountain, rather a volcanic
mountain range, Reykjavíkian’s will invariably name it as their
favourite mountain in the country. Yes, such is foolish local
pride. Esja is a popular hiking spot for locals and travellers
alike, and on a clear and sunny day, the view over Reykjavík
from the mountaintop is breathtaking and makes the relatively
easy three-hour hike well worth the effort.
Mt. Esja
Hengill is an 803 meter high active volcano located between
Reykjavík and Þingvellir. The last volcanic eruption is believed
to have been 2000 years ago, but numerous hot springs and
fumaroles still bear witness to the geothermal activity in the
area. There are many interesting hiking trails in the area and
informative signposts with geographical information have been
added along the treks. Several huts are in the area, available for
overnight stays or shorter stops free of charge. Hengill offers
all the visual excitement a trekker can expect in Iceland.
Mt. Hengill
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