Bláfjöll

Bláfjöll (Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈplauːˌfjœtl̥], "blue fells") are a small mountain range in the southwest of Iceland on Reykjanes peninsula at about 30 km from Reykjavík.

Bláfjöll
Vífilsfell and the northern Bláfjöll
Aerial photograph of Hellisheiði: Lambafell, Leitahraun and behind it, to the left, Sauðadalahnúkur and the southern Bláfjöll
Ski resort Bláfjöll in 2011, Stóra-Kóngsfell in the background

They form sort of a double mountain massif to the west and in the east of Jósepsdalur[1] on Hellisheiði.[2]

Geography

The mountain massif has a length of about 9 km. The western part includes Vífilsfell as well as Bláfjallahorn [ˈplauːˌfjatlaˌhɔ(r)tn̥], the eastern one reaches from Sauðadalahnúkur [ˈsœyːðaˌtaːlaˌn̥uːkʏr̥] to Kerlingarhnúkur [ˈcʰɛ(r)tliŋkarˌn̥uːkʏr̥].[1] The highest mountain is Hákollur [ˈhauːˌkʰɔtlʏr̥] (685 m).[1]

Geology

The Bláfjöll are Pleistocene subglacial volcanoes and part of the Brennisteinsfjöll volcanic system.[3]

Winter sports

The area is the most popular ski resort for the inhabitants of Iceland's Capital City Area.[2]

The winter sports area is situated at elevations between 460 and 700 m.[4]

15 km of easy and intermediate slopes for skiing and snowboarding as well as 15 lifts (tow lifts and chair lifts) are available as well as possibilities for night skiing.[4] Cross country skiing is also possible.[5] Two huts with accommodation and restaurant provide service for the guests. All this makes it the largest ski resort in Iceland.[4]

Accessibility

From Reykjavík the Hringvegur is followed in southern direction, at the airfield of Sandskeið taken the Route 417 in direction of Hafnarfjörður/Bláfjöll, but up on the lava plateau turned left into the short Bláfjallavegur/Route 407. It leads directly to the mountains and the skiing area.[6]

Nature protection

Part of the mountain range is protected since 1973 as Bláfjallafólkvangur. [ˈplauːˌfjatlaˌfoul̥kˌvauŋkʏr̥][2]

See also

References
  1. Þór Vigfússon: Í Árnesþingi vestanverðu. Ferðafélag Íslands Árbók 2003. Reykjavík 2003, p.83
  2. Íslandshandbókin. Náttúra, saga og sérkenni. Reykjavík 1989, p. 780
  3. See eg. Chr. Hamilton: Ice-contact volcanism and hyaloclastite flow emplacement in the Vífilsfell region. SW Iceland. Abstracts – Atlantic Universities Geological Conference, 2003. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  4. https://www.skiresort.info/ski-resort/blafjoell/ Ski resort Bláfjöll. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  5. https://www.skiresort.info/best-ski-resorts/iceland/sorted/cross-country/ Ski resort Bláfjöll. Cross country skiing. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  6. Ísland Vegaatlas. Reykjavík 2006, p.1

63.974°N 21.639°W / 63.974; -21.639

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