Coastal loop from Laugardalslaug

This is a long, varied run that follows almost the entire coastline of Reykjavík and is one of the most popular longer training routes for runners in the city. The route starts at Laugardalslaug and follows a continuous network of paved walking and cycling paths along the sea. It runs west along Sæbraut, where Sun Voyager, the well-known sculpture by Jón Gunnar Árnason from 1990, stands by the shore pointing towards Esja. It continues past Harpa and through the city centre, out onto Grandi and Örfirisey, crosses Eiðistorg and then winds west along Ægisíða, a broad, flat coastal path with benches and wide views over Faxaflói bay. On a clear day you can see Snæfellsjökull and out to Grótta on Seltjarnarnes. The route is about 17 km with negligible elevation gain, around 80 metres, and is well suited to longer steady-paced training runs. As the route is open and runs largely along the sea it can be windy, but the views are correspondingly rewarding. The route is easy to shorten or extend with links to the wider path network. There is ample parking and swimming facilities at Laugardalslaug at the start.