Öskjuhlíð

About Öskjuhlíð

Öskjuhlíð is a unique outdoor recreation area near the city center with diverse nature and interesting historical sites.

Öskjuhlíð is unique and likely the most prominent and well-known open area in Reykjavík. It is a 61-meter-high, rocky hill that stands out in its surroundings, including the city center. Six thermal water tanks sit atop the hill, most still serving their important role of storing hot water for Reykjavík residents. Above and between the tanks is Perlan, a unique building opened in 1991. It houses a museum, café, and a slowly rotating restaurant on the top floor. The viewing platforms are most popular, offering some of the best views of the city, bays, and mountains. Öskjuhlíð itself is an interesting outdoor area with diverse nature, notable geological features, one of the densest forestations in Reykjavík, and unique World War II remnants. Öskjuhlíð is a very popular outdoor area due to its proximity to the center of Reykjavík, university areas in Vatnsmýri, recreation areas in Nauthólsvík and Fossvogsdalur, and populous neighborhoods like Bústaðahverfi and Hlíðar.

Basic information

Transportation:

• Parking by Perlan, Keiluhöllin and Nauthólsvík.
• Hiking and Biking Trail.
• Public bus routes (18-19). Bus stops (Perlan – 18, Nauthólsvík HR – 19).

You can find: Restaurant - Café - Museum - Viewing platform - Artwork - Picnic tables - Walking paths - Biking paths - Sports area - Bird life - Forestry - Historical relics - Geological sites - Parking - Bowling

Geology

• Öskjuhlíð is a somewhat steep, rocky hill. The bedrock of Öskjuhlíð is Reykjavík gray basalt that flowed from volcanoes in Mosfellsheiði during the latter part of the Ice Age.
• Glaciers shaped the gray basalt during the last glacial period (70-12 thousand years ago), with evidence of glacial erosion visible on the gray basalt slabs at the base of Öskjuhlíð near Nauthólsvík. There is a large whale-back formation with prominent glacial striations.
• Ten thousand years ago, the sea level was much higher, and Öskjuhlíð was an island. Evidence of higher sea levels can be seen in the sea-worn rocks surrounding the hill at about 43 meters above sea level.

Flora and wildlife

 

• Vegetation in Öskjuhlíð is diverse. At the time of settlement, the hill was undoubtedly covered with birch scrub, which residents of Reykjavík and nearby farms used for firewood. In the early 20th century, Öskjuhlíð was characterized by sparsely vegetated hills and heathland, while the eastern part of the hill featured wetlands and cultivated fields. The heathland is covered with blueberry, ling, and crowberry, while the fields boast various grass species and beautiful spreads of meadow buttercup, dandelion, white clover, and common yarrow.
• In the mid-20th century, forestation began on the western and southern slopes of Öskjuhlíð, now featuring an almost continuous forest where birch, mountain pine, Sitka spruce, and Alaska poplar are the most common tree species. The tallest conifers are over 15 meters high. There are some self-seeded rowan trees and other tree species. The forest has significant undergrowth except where the conifers are densest. Common vascular plants in the woodland include lady's mantle, stone bramble, northern bedstraw, tufted hair-grass, and meadow horsetail. A considerable amount of lupine grows at the forest edge.
• Bird life is rich in Öskjuhlíð, with over ten species nesting there. Sparrows are most prominent in the forest and scrubland, especially redwings and common redpolls, but also starlings and blackbirds. Recent settlers like goldcrests and crossbills have been seen in Öskjuhlíð. Various waders have nested in Öskjuhlíð, including oystercatchers, common ringed plovers, European golden plovers, common snipes, and redshanks. Many other birds are frequent visitors to the area, such as ravens, white wagtails, meadow pipits, various gull species, greylag geese, and other waterfowl. Eiders are prominent in Fossvogsdalur below the hill. Rabbits are noticeable in Öskjuhlíð. These are wild and semi-wild rabbits descended from released pets, a practice that has been ongoing for years. About 30-40 rabbits regularly inhabit Öskjuhlíð.

History

• In Öskjuhlíð, there are remains of shielings that belonged to the Reykjavík farm, used for forestry and livestock. Víkursel is mentioned in 14th-century sources. Ruins in the southwestern slope of Öskjuhlíð are thought to be the remains of Víkursel. Remains of sheep pens and built enclosures are also found near the ruins.
• Beneventum is a collection of rock platforms in the western slope that served as a meeting place for students of the Latin School in the 19th century.
• Quarrying began in Öskjuhlíð in 1913, with the rock primarily used for harbor construction. The rock was blasted from gray basalt cliffs in the northwestern slope and transported by rail to Reykjavík harbor. Today, the Keiluhöllin bowling alley is mostly located inside one of the quarries. There are many World War II remnants in Öskjuhlíð, as British and American soldiers built various structures in the western part of Öskjuhlíð and Vatnsmýri, mostly related to their construction of Reykjavík Airport. Structures include concrete gun emplacements, trenches, air raid shelters, storage facilities, numerous floors and foundations for barracks, roads, and high stone walls. A large barrack settlement was in western and southern Öskjuhlíð during the war years. A pier was also built extending into Nauthólsvík.
• The thermal water tanks were erected in the mid-20th century, from 1940-1966. They were all demolished and rebuilt in the late 1980s. The restaurant and viewing platform Perlan was built between and above the tanks and was inaugurated in 1991.

References

• Guðbjörg Ásta Stefánsdóttir and Páll Hersteinsson. 2003. Rabbits in Öskjuhlíð and Fossvogur Cemetery. Report prepared for Reykjavík City.
• Helgi M. Sigurðsson and Yngvi Þór Loftsson. 1993. Öskjuhlíð - nature and history. Árbær Open Air Museum and Reykjavík City Planning, Reykjavík.
• Jóhann Óli Hilmarsson. 1992. Breeding birds in Öskjuhlíð 1992. Icelandic Institute of Natural History. Report prepared for Reykjavík City Planning.