Hafravatn — The Quiet Lake at Reykjavík's Edge

Bakgrunnur

Saga og bakgrunnur

The Heiðmörk reserve was established in the 1950s under the direction of Reykjavík's city council, which began an ambitious tree-planting programme to green the barren lava landscape around the capital. Over 70 years, the planting has transformed the area from bare lava to genuine woodland. The lakes were stocked with fish as part of a broader programme to create recreational facilities for the expanding city.

**Hafravatn** is a small lake at the eastern edge of the Capital Region, near Mosfellsbær. It is reached in the Hafravatnsvegur area and drains toward the Úlfarsá river system. The older description incorrectly placed it in Heiðmörk beside Reykjavík’s southern lakes. The map point lies around **64.1306° N, 21.6621° W**, close to independent mapped lake coordinates. The lake is an outdoor natural site, not a ticketed attraction with guaranteed access or staffed services. Fishing, boating and other activities can be subject to local rules or private rights. Do not step onto ice without official safety confirmation.