New playground by Hvaleyrarvatn

New playground by Hvaleyrarvatn – Come out and play in Hafnarfjörður’s hinterland

At the beginning of the summer, work began on a new play area at the west end of the lake, Hvaleyrarvatn, close to the barbecue facilities and new parking spaces that were completed last year. The play area, which has a castle and a large swing, has now been opened and is ready for use. The adventurous area by Hvaleyrarvatn now has a new play area, that is yet another great addition to this natrual paradise.

The project relates to development in the area covering Lake Hvaleyri and Höfðaskógur. A naming contest for the play area was initiated in June and from the 44 ideas received, the name Paradise Grove was chosen. The four proposals chosen by the Environment and Construction Council were all related to the idea that Lake Hvaleyri is like a paradise on earth. A natural wonder that the whole family can enjoy all year round. The people behind the victorious names received a magnificent gift certificate for two in Bæjarbíó as a gift.

Paradise and charming recreational area in the hinterland of Hafnarfjörður

Hvaleyrarvatn and its surroundings are one of the most beautiful in the capital area. There are many hiking trails in the area and everyone is free to fish in the lake. Lake Hvaleyri is an ideal recreational area and there is a footpath around the lake as well as other hiking trails nearby. Lake Hvaleyrarvatn is a short distance from Hafnarfjörður in a small quota that is surrounded by draft hills in three directions: Vatnshlíð, Húsahöfði and Selhöfði. To the west of the lake is Selhraun, which blocks water drainage from the pulp. Here the farmers of Hvaleyri had seals in earlier centuries and tofts can be seen under Selhöfði that may have been of old seals. Legend has it that the stench in the lake killed a girl in the dairy and it was then put down. In 1956, the Hafnarfjörður Forestry Association was handed over 32 hectares of land at Húsahöfði northeast of the lake for reclamation. Since then the company has increased its cultivation area considerably and has done a lot of good work there, as can be seen in their forest, Höfðaskógur.

See hiking trails around Hvaleyrarvatn: Hvaleyrarvatn – Gönguleiðir (gonguleidir.is)