FLÚÐIR
BLÁSKÓGABYGGÐ
Flúðir is the major hamlet in the Hrunamannahreppur municipality, and it was developed because of its proximity to the geothermal field Hellisholt. An important greenhouse industry is operated at Flúðir, including Iceland’s largest production of mushrooms. In 1899, geologist Dr. Helgi Pétursson (1872-1949) found palagonite tuff formations at Hellisholt, which led to new theories about the duration of the Ice Age. A new bridge over the Hvíta river, at the Bræðratunga farm, is a great improvement in communications between Flúðir and Biskupstungur district. The Secret Lagoon, a natural geothermal swimming pool, is a popular tourist attraction. The population in Flúðir on Jan. 1, 2018, was 432.
Bláskógabyggð is a municipality in the upper Árnessýsla district, west of the Hvítá river. To the south are the district of Grímsnes and Grafningshreppur municipality, and to the west it borders Mosfellsbær, a town east of Reykjavík. The municipality was formed in 2002 through the merger of Þingvallahreppur, Laugardalshreppur and Biskupstungnahreppur districts. Residential centres have formed in Laugarás, Reykholt and Laugarvatn. The name of the municipality is taken from an area around Þingvallavatn lake known as Bláskógar (Blue Forests). A new road has been constructed over the Lyngdalsheiði heath connecting Þingvellir National Park and Laugarvatn. This road opens up a route connecting Reykjavík with the upper regions of Árnessýsla county. On January 1, 2018, the population was 1,110.
FACILITIES
Accommodation: • Icelandair Hotel Flúðir, tel. 444-4000/486-6630. • Syðra-Langholt, Hrunamannahreppur district, tel. 486-6574/861-6652. • Dalbær, tel. 486-6770/847-3485. • Flúðir Guesthouse, tel. 565-9196/ 896-1286. • Guesthouse Saga, Syðra-Langholt, tel. 772-1299. Campsites: • Álfaskeið, tel. 486-6774/486-6574. • Flúðir campsite, tel. 486-6535/618-5005. Eating out: • Hótel Flúðir, tel. 486-6630. • Útlaginn Kaffihús, Flúðir, tel. 486-6425. • Kaffi-Sel, by the golf course, tel. 486-6454/891-7811. • Kaffihúsið Grund, tel. 565-9196/896-1286. • Bragginn, Birtingaholt (10 minutes from Flúðir), pottery and café, tel. 847-8384. • Minilik Ethiopian restaurant, tel. 846-9798. Sport and leisure: • Flúðir swimming pool, tel. 486-6790. • The Secret Lagoon, natural pool and geothermal area, 555-3351. • Golf course, Selsvöllur, tel. 486-6454/891-7811. • Syðra-Langholt, horse rental, tel. 486-6774/894-8974. . Shopping: Samkaup Strax, tel. 486-6633. For motorists: Filling station, garage and tire repair, 486-6769. Exhibitions and local handicrafts: • Bragginn, Birtingaholti, pottery studio, ceramics, café, tel. 847-8384. • Sólheimar, a small exhibition, tel. 486-6590/865-8761. Events: • Harvest Festival in Flúðir. • Mid-Sept.: Hrunaréttir, sheep round-up.
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BISKUPSTUNGUR Reykholt and Laugarás are two hamlets in Biskupstungur district, both of which have large reserves of geothermal water used to heat numerous greenhouses. There is a health care centre and domestic animal zoo at Laugarás, and a swimming pool, store and accommodation facilities at Reykholt. On January 1, 2018, the combined population was 386. Gullfoss (Golden Waterfall), on the glacial Hvítá river, is renowned for its breathtaking beauty and it is one of Iceland’s main sightseeing attractions. This mighty, two-tier cataract creates a majestic spectacle as it thunders 32 metres down over a fault into a gorge measuring 2.5 kilometres in length and up to 70 metres deep in places, which the river has cut into the strata over the past 10,000 years. The waterfall can be viewed up close, as well as from above the chasm, where Sigríðarstofa, an information centre, has been built in memory of Sigríður Tómasdóttir, a local woman from Brattholt. She campaigned against plans to develop a hydroelectricity plant there in the early 19th century. The land around Gullfoss is owned by the state, and the tract of land to the west of the river has now become a protected conservation area. Geysir is another must-see site for tourists, which has lent its name (meaning Gusher) as the generic term for this strange phenomenon of spouting hot springs. It is thought that Geysir was formed in an earthquake towards the end of the 13th century. The eruptions of boiling water from Geysir, used to reach a height of 40 to 60 metres, but it has been inactive for the last decade. A smaller, adjacent hot spring, called Strokkur, is a popular attraction, erupting 15 to 20 metres high at 5 to 10-minute intervals. The Geysir geothermal field contains a variety of hot springs and bubbling pools and the area is protected. Geysisstofa, an educational and information centre, was opened in the summer of 2000 and it covers volcanic eruptions,