Krýsuvík - Grænavatn - Austurengjar - gönguleið

Background

History & Background

Krýsuvík was historically a parish and large farming estate with several tenant farms. The district later became best known for its geothermal and volcanic features. Grænavatn, Austurengjar and nearby Seltún now form part of the recreational and geological landscape of Reykjanes.

The Krýsuvík – Grænavatn – Austurengjar walk links several different parts of the Krýsuvík landscape south of Kleifarvatn. Grænavatn is a maar-type explosion crater filled by a striking green lake. Visit Reykjanes describes it as the largest of the explosion-crater lakes in the area and around 46 metres deep. From there the route continues through open volcanic terrain toward Austurengjar, one of the principal geothermal areas of Krýsuvík. The wider district adds cultural history to the geology. Krýsuvík was once a separate parish and a substantial farming estate with tenant farms. Remains of old buildings survive in the landscape, while geothermal fields such as Seltún, Austurengjar and Hverahlíð show the active volcanic processes below ground. Existing local route information describes this particular walk as approximately 3 kilometres and around 1.5–2 hours. It is not a manicured urban path. Weather can be exposed, surfaces may be rough or wet and geothermal ground requires caution. Stay away from mud pools, steam vents and discoloured crust unless a clearly established path leads through the area. The route is especially useful for visitors who want more than the short boardwalk experience at Seltún and are prepared for a quieter walk through the broader Krýsuvík landscape.