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Bláfjöll (Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈplauːˌfjœtl̥], "blue mountains") are a small mountain range in the southwest of Iceland on Reykjanes peninsula at about 30 km from Reykjavík.
They form sort of a double mountain massif to the west and in the east of Jósepsdalur[1] on Hellisheiði.[2]
Geography
[edit]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
[edit]The Bláfjöll are Pleistocene subglacial volcanoes and part of the Brennisteinsfjöll volcanic system.[3]
Winter sports
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]Part of the mountain range is protected since 1973 as Bláfjallafólkvangur. [ˈplauːˌfjatlaˌfoul̥kˌvauŋkʏr̥][2]
See also
[edit]External links
[edit]- https://skidasvaedi.is/english/ Official website, ski resorts of Iceland
- Skídasvaedi.is, description with map of hiking and cross country ski tracks. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
- Bláfjöll. The Environment Agency of Iceland. (in Icelandic, with map of Bláfjallafólkvangur, the protected area)
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Þór Vigfússon: Í Árnesþingi vestanverðu. Ferðafélag Íslands Árbók 2003. Reykjavík 2003, p.83
- ^ a b c Íslandshandbókin. Náttúra, saga og sérkenni. Reykjavík 1989, p. 780
- ^ See eg. [1] 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.
- ^ a b c https://www.skiresort.info/ski-resort/blafjoell/ Ski resort Bláfjöll. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
- ^ https://www.skiresort.info/best-ski-resorts/iceland/sorted/cross-country/ Ski resort Bláfjöll. Cross country skiing. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
- ^ Ísland Vegaatlas. Reykjavík 2006, p.1