Lake Vífilsstaðavatn and surroundings
Vífilsstaðavatn and its surroundings were declared a nature reserve in 2007, making it the first protected area in Garðabær. The nature reserve covers 188 hectares, of which the lake itself is 27 hectares. The aim of the nature reserve is to protect the lake and its ecosystem, secure the area as an outdoor recreation area, and provide the public with access to untouched nature in an urban area. The area is owned by Garðabær.
Diverse biodiversity
The biota of Lake Vífilsstaðavatn has been studied for decades and is among the most diverse in the country in terms of area. It is home to unique populations of char, trout, eel and horn eels. An unusual mix of glass eels from Europe and America flows up the Vífilsstaðalæk stream into Lake Vífilsstaðavatn. The horn eels in the lake are unique in that they lack ventral spines and have attracted international attention in evolutionary and genetic research.
Nature education
Every fall, 6th grade students at Garðabær Elementary School visit Vífilsstaðavatn and Vífilsstaðalækur in connection with their natural history classes. The classes have been offered since 1999 and are part of their education about the environment, ecosystems, and nature conservation.
Outdoor activities
There is a 2.6 km long outdoor trail around Lake Vífilsstaðavatn. A walk around the lake takes about 35 minutes and a jog about 15 minutes. The area has benches, educational signs, shelters and an accessible pier for people with disabilities.
Hiking trails also lead up to Vífilsstaðahlíð and to Grunnavatnaskarð. When the lake is frozen over, you can go ice skating, and during the summer, angling is permitted with a fishing permit.
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