Reynisvatn circle

The Reynisvatn circle is a varied trail run by Reynisvatn, a small and peaceful lake east of Grafarholt in Reykjavík. The lake is surrounded by woodland that provides shelter and attracts varied birdlife, especially moorland birds in spring and summer. An easy, well-marked path runs around the lake, about 1.3 km, but this route is a longer loop that uses Reynisvatn's connection to the Austurheiðar path network and heads out into the surrounding hills. The route is about 9.5 km with moderate elevation gain, around 145 metres in total, and is well suited to training runs. The surroundings are varied: glacially smoothed grey-basalt hills, old geological formations, fissures and faults shape the landscape, and the vegetation is varied with moss, heath and grassland. There are benches at selected spots by the lake. Reynisvatn connects to a path network spanning the area from Rauðavatn to Langavatn, so the route is easy to extend or vary. There is parking by the lake. The lakeside loop itself is well marked, but the part of the route that heads out into the moorland is less so, so it is good to know the route or carry a map.