Only a few minutes outside Reykjavík, just by the main road that leads to Keflavík airport, is an old settlement by the shoreline called Hraun. Hraun consists of a few old run-down bait sheds and old ruins of a fishing settlement. The structures are in various state of decay. Some ruins are well-preserved, while others have succumbed to natural elements such as weathering, erosion and vegetation growth.
Even if some houses have been renovated and are used as summerhouses, the area still holds an air of mystery and enchantment. It is truly a place where the past meets the present as just across the cove, Reykjavík and the aluminium factory loom over. The old ruins are situated on old grown lava with hollows that fill with seawater as the tide comes in, changing the atmosphere of the place with little ponds that disappear again at low tide.
Óttastaðir
Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland
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Climate
The weather is Reykjanes Peninsula can be described as harsh and unpredictable like the rest of the country. The region experiences strong winds, heavy rain, and occasional snowfall throughout the year. The temperature can vary greatly from day to day, with summer temperatures ranging from 10°c to 15°c and winter temperatures dropping as low as -5°c. Visitors should come prepared for any type of weather.
Data source Temperature averages
Lighting
The longest day in Iceland is multiple days from May through July when the sun doesn't set. The daylight hours in Iceland on the shortest days of the year are 4-5 hours per day (December to January).
Data source Accessibility
Controlling the area is easy as there is only one lane gravel road that leads from the main road to this location.
Permits
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Basecamp and facilities
Because of the close proximity to Reykjavík, basecamps could be almost everywhere, but a good size parking lot is at the entrance and could easily be a medium size basecamp. Further up the gravel road to the location are at least two small parking areas that could be used as tech bases.
Phone coverage is excellent.
Risk factors
The ground can get wet and small ponds appear at high tide.
Visitors
Divers frequently visit this place to dive in underwater caves and hollows.
There are almost no tourists here as the road is marked private.
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