Heiðmörk

About Heiðmörk

Heiðmörk is the largest outdoor recreation area near Reykjavík. It's part of the Green Belt surrounding the capital area. Heiðmörk spans three municipalities: Reykjavík, Garðabær, and Kópavogur. The area boasts diverse nature, with extensive forestry managed by the Reykjavík Forestry Association since 1950 when it was protected.

Basic information

Size: about 3000 hectares.

Transportation:

• Access Heiðmörk by car via Rauðhólavegur from Highway 1, Hraunslóð from Highway 1 on the east, and Hlíðarvegur from Vífilsstaðir on the west.
• Eight stopping points in Heiðmörk offer parking and various facilities.
• Walking, biking, and riding trails crisscross Heiðmörk.
• No public transport serves Heiðmörk. The closest bus stops are in Norðlingaholt (routes 5 and 19), Vatnsendahverfi in Kópavogur (route 28), and by Vífilsstaðir in Garðabær (route 21). Visitors can walk or bike from nearby areas.

It includes: Forestry - Geological sites - Bird life - Historical sites - Walking paths - Biking paths - Riding paths - Cross-country skiing - Mushroom picking - Berry picking - Barbecue area - Benches - Picnic tables - Angling - Viewpoints - Nature reserve - Playground - Soccer field - Volleyball court.

History

• Reykjavík City Council established Heiðmörk as a "protected area" and "recreation park" in 1947. The protected area includes land from Elliðavatnsbær, parts of Hólmur and Vatnsendi, and later, parts of Vífilsstaðir and Garðatorfur commons.
• The Reykjavík Forestry Association began planting trees in Heiðmörk in 1950 and has managed the area since.
• Researchers studied Heiðmörk's watershed in the 1960s and 1970s. Three water protection areas exist within Heiðmörk.
• Archaeological studies at Elliðavatn, specifically in Þingnes (an ancient assembly site). They have uncovered human settlements from 900-1100 AD.

Landscape and geology

Heiðmörk is mostly lowland, with the highest ridges between 150 and 175 meters. Elliðavatn is partly within the protected area. Smaller lakes include Helluvatn, Hraunhúsatjörn, and Myllulækjartjörn. The Bugða and Suðurá rivers flow through the northern part of the protected area.

Heiðmörk's geology reflects its young age and proximity to active volcanoes. The area features lava fields and caves (including Maríuhellar). The most famous geological formations are the Rauðhólar pseudocraters in northern Heiðmörk, formed by steam explosions when Leitahraun lava flowed over Elliðavatn wetlands.

Vegetation

Heiðmörk is well-vegetated. Cultivated forest covers over 20% of the total area. Wild birch forest covers a similar area. Moss and heather moors dominate outside forested areas, with notable lupine stands and grasslands. A large wetland area with marshes and fens exists near Elliðavatn, but wetlands are otherwise scarce in Heiðmörk. Nearly 200 high plant species grow in Heiðmörk, with numerous low plants and fungi.

Wildlife

Heiðmörk's diverse habitats, including woodlands, moors, and wetlands, support rich birdlife. Common breeding species include snipe, meadow pipit, redwing, and common redpoll. Recent woodland colonists include goldcrest, crossbill, and woodcock. Waterfowl breeding at Elliðavatn and other ponds include whooper swan, greylag goose, great northern diver, and various duck species. Ptarmigans are common in Heiðmörk, especially in winter. Other breeding waders include golden plover, black-tailed godwit, dunlin, red-necked phalarope, whimbrel, and redshank. Merlin and gyrfalcon are regularly seen, as well as short-eared owls.

Both Arctic foxes and mink inhabit Heiðmörk, with several dens found. Elliðavatn hosts all five Icelandic freshwater fish species: Arctic char, Atlantic salmon, brown trout, stickleback, and eel. The lake has rich benthic fauna but less diverse zooplankton.

References

• Reykjavík Forestry Association website
• Jóhann Óli Hilmarsson. 2010. "Birdlife in Heiðmörk". Report for Reykjavík City and Garðabær.
• Kristbjörn Egilsson and Guðmundur Guðjónsson. 2006. "Vegetation in Heiðmörk". Report by the Icelandic Institute of Natural History for Reykjavík City.