reykjavik
Öskjuhlíð — Reykjavík's Forest Hill
About Öskjuhlíð — Reykjavík's Forest Hill
Öskjuhlíð hill rises to 61 metres above sea level in southwest Reykjavík, about 2 km from city centre. The hill is topped by Perlan museum (built atop six hot water tanks) and surrounded by planted forest. **Forest:** Planted from 1950s onward with Alaskan lodgepole pine, Sitka spruce, birch and other species. The goal was afforestation research — testing which tree species could survive Iceland's climate. The experiment succeeded, creating one of Reykjavík's rare wooded areas. **Trails:** Network of walking/jogging paths (~5 km total) winding through forest from Perlan to Nauthólsvík beach. Trails are well-maintained, mostly flat or gentle slopes. Popular with joggers, dog-walkers, families. **Perlan:** Museum and observation deck at summit (see separate attraction entry). **Nauthólsvík Beach:** Geothermal beach at base of hill (see separate attraction entry). The forest is particularly atmospheric in winter when snow settles on pine branches and the paths are quiet.
🐉 The Forest That Shouldn't Exist
Iceland has almost no trees — Vikings cut them all down 1,000 years ago. Then in the 1950s Reykjavík planted a forest on Öskjuhlíð just to see if it would work. It did.
📖 History of Öskjuhlíð — Reykjavík's Forest Hill
Öskjuhlíð ('Ash Hill') named for volcanic ash deposits. The hill was barren until afforestation began 1950s as experiment by Reykjavík Forestry Association. Perlan hot water tanks built 1930s–1940s, glass dome added 1991. The forest has become one of Reykjavík's most-used recreation areas.
💡 Did You Know?
The trees on Öskjuhlíð are imports — none are native Icelandic species (Iceland's only native tree is dwarf birch). The forest is an entirely human-created landscape.
Key Facts
Planted forest from 1950s (rare in Iceland)
~5 km of walking/jogging trails
Connects Perlan museum to Nauthólsvík beach
Alaskan pine, spruce, birch
Popular local recreation area
💎 Hidden Gems
The Winter Snow-Covered Forest
When snow settles on the pine trees in winter, Öskjuhlíð becomes genuinely magical — silent, white, peaceful. The most un-Icelandic landscape in Iceland.
The Dog-Walker Morning Ritual
Early mornings (7–8am) the trails are full of locals walking dogs before work — it's the friendliest, most social time on the trails.
🕐 Best Time
Early morning for peaceful walks
🚗 Access
From Perlan or Nauthólsvík — trails connect both
⏱ Duration
30 min–2 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the trails marked?▾
Yes — trails are well-marked and maintained. Pick up a map at Perlan or use the trails spontaneously.
Can I walk from Perlan to Nauthólsvík?▾
Yes — trails connect Perlan at the summit to Nauthólsvík beach at the base. ~20–30 minute walk downhill.
📍 GPS Location
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