New outdoor activities website
Út um allt - Outdoor Activities in the Capital Region is a new website showcasing recreational opportunities throughout the greater Reykjavík area. The site provides comprehensive information about more than 30 recreational areas and 40 mapped walking and cycling routes across the capital region. Each route includes practical details like difficulty level and duration, while users can track their location and follow routes in real time using the interactive map. The site features a robust search function with filters for municipality, facilities, amenities and accessibility options.
Available in both Icelandic and English, the website is a collaborative project between the Association of Municipalities in the Capital Area and Visit Reykjavík. Út um allt was officially launched at a board meeting of the Association of Municipalities in the Capital Area on Monday, Feb. 3.
Promoting active lifestyles and green space usage
"A key goal of the capital area's strategic plan is promoting a healthy environment and active lifestyle. To support this goal, we developed a comprehensive outdoor recreation website highlighting the diverse activities available throughout our region. This makes these opportunities more visible and accessible to residents. "We hope this website will encourage more physical activity and greater enjoyment of our green spaces," says Páll Björgvin Guðmundsson, executive director of the Association of Municipalities in the Capital Area.
Páll Björgvin notes that Út um allt complements other strategic initiatives, including the comprehensive mapping of outdoor recreation areas completed in 2023. The website also aligns with the Transportation Charter and its extensive development of cycling and walking paths, with the platform designed to integrate with the capital area's expanding trail network.
Extensive community input and needs assessment
"This has been an exciting project to develop, with volunteers contributing to trail mapping efforts. We're especially grateful to the cycling group Reiðhjólabændur for mapping and grading our cycling routes," says Páll Björgvin.
Út um allt has been under development for almost two years. The project included extensive needs analysis and consultation with residents, municipalities, tourism industry representatives and other stakeholders to ensure the site meets user needs. The website integrates with the Icelandic Tourist Board's central database system for hiking trails and recreation areas nationwide. Sjá - Independent Consulting conducted the preliminary research and needs assessment, while Um að gera handled design and development.
"We will continue expanding Út um allt by adding new routes and recreation areas. We encourage everyone to use the website and explore the natural beauty surrounding our capital region," says Inga Hlín Pálsdóttir, executive director of Visit Reykjavík.