Hengill

Hengill
Hengill, 2004
Highest point
Elevation	803 m (2,635 ft)
Listing	List of volcanoes in Iceland
Coordinates	64°05′08″N 21°18′48″W
Geography
Hengill Iceland
Geology
Mountain type	Shield volcano, fissure vents
Last eruption	150 CE ± 75 years
Climbing
Easiest route	Hike

Hengill (Icelandic, pronounced [ˈheiɲcɪtl̥]) is a volcanic mountain range situated in the southwest of Iceland, to the south of Þingvellir. The mountain range covers an area of about 100 km².

The volcano is still active, evidenced by its numerous hot springs and fumaroles, but the last eruption occurred approximately 2,000 years ago, before the settlement of Iceland.

The volcano is an important source of energy for the south of the country, which is captured at the Nesjavellir power station (near the western shore of the lake Þingvallavatn) and the Hellisheiði power station (approximately 11 km southwest of Nesjavellir). Both stations are operated by Orkuveita Reykjavíkur (Reykjavik Energy).

The area with its mountains and hot springs is well suited for hiking and there are a lot of hiking trails. The town of Hveragerði with its multitude of hot springs is also part of the Hengill area.

Some folk tales and sagas are connected to the region. For example, a young farmer is said to have killed the sleeping troll woman Jóra while she lay in wait for innocent wanderers or horsemen on the trail over Dyrafjöll.

Overlooking the Hengladalir valleys to the east of Hengill

A hot spring at the base of the Hengladalir valleys

A hot spring at the base of the Hengladalir valleys

See also

• Geography of Iceland
• List of lakes of Iceland
• Volcanism of Iceland
• List of volcanic eruptions on Iceland

External links

• Hengill in the Catalogue of Icelandic Volcanoes
• [1] Map