20 August 2025Celebrating the Completion of the Paved Road around Lake Þingvallavatn
Celebrating the Completion of the Paved Road around Lake Þingvallavatn
On Sunday, August 24, the municipalities of Bláskógabyggð and Grímsnes- and Grafningshreppur will celebrate the completion of the road encircling Lake Þingvallavatn. The milestone will be marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, live music, and cake at the Úlfljótsvatn Scouts’ Outdoor Center. The event is organized in collaboration with the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration, Landsvirkjun, Þingvellir National Park, and the Scouts of Lake Úlfljótsvatn.
Útilífsmiðstöð skáta Úlfljótsvatni.
The program begins at 11:00 with Kristján Atli, “Doppumeistari” from Sólheimar, arriving at the finish line after walking from Ljósafoss station. Eyjólfur Ármannsson, Minister of Infrastructure, will cut the ribbon on the road below the Outdoor Center, followed by a few words from Bergþóra Þorkelsdóttir, Director of the Icelandic Road Administration. Torfi Stefán Jónsson, Þingvellir Educational Officer, will give a talk titled “Stories and Transportation to Þingvellir from 930–2038 – What Happened and What Never Happened.” Musicians Magnús Kjartansson and Pálmi Gunnarsson will provide live entertainment, and coffee and cake will be served while supplies last.
From 11:00 to 14:00, the Scouts will offer activities at Úlfljótsvatn, including a climbing wall, archery, sailboat rides, and an outdoor bonfire.
The celebration is part of a weekend of events in the uplands of Árnessýsla. On Saturday, August 23, the family festival Grímsævintýri will take place in Grímsnes- og Grafningshreppur, featuring a market, bingo, and games for all ages. On Sunday, Beint frá býli Day will also be celebrated in the uplands, with Korngrís frá Laxárdalur in Skeiða- og Gnúpverjahreppur opening its farm to visitors for the third year in a row.
A 25-Year Journey Comes to an End
The section being celebrated, Grafningsvegur efri (360), Ýrufoss–Grafningsvegur neðri, is 1.33 km long and represents the final phase of paving Grafningsvegur efri, which stretches from Þingvallavegur at Írufoss Power Plant to Þingvallavegur at Heiðarbær. VBF Mjölnir ehf. in Selfoss carried out the construction, beginning in May and finishing in early August.
Construction on Grafningsvegur efri began in 1999–2000 with a 12 km section from Nesjavellir to Þingvallavegur at Heiðarbær, timed to prepare for the Christianization festival at Þingvellir. The next phase, Grafningsvegur neðri, was completed in 2008–2009, covering 1.4 km past the Scout Outdoor Center at Úlfljótsvatn. Subsequent work between 2018 and 2020 included sections from Nesjavellir to Hagavík and from Hagavík to Úlfljótsvatn, completing the route.
This milestone marks the culmination of a 25-year effort to create a continuous paved road around one of Iceland’s most iconic lakes. Everyone is welcome to join the celebrations and enjoy the weekend in the scenic uplands of Árnessýsla.
Grafningsvegur efri (360), Ýrufoss-Grafningsvegur neðri.
Grafningsvegur efri (360), Ýrufoss-Grafningsvegur neðri.
Grafningsvegur efri (360), Ýrufoss-Grafningsvegur neðri.
Grafningsvegur efri (360), Ýrufoss-Grafningsvegur neðri.