Time for a Red Lagoon in Iceland?

Rauðavatn lies just on the outskirts of Reykjavik.

Rauðavatn lies just on the outskirts of Reykjavik. photo/ KRISTINN INGVARSSON

Anna Margrét Björnsson

Experienced guide Ólafur B. Schram proposed an idea on his blog to construct a bathing area at Raudavatn (red lake) on the outskirts of Reykjavik. "We could help protect fragile areas such as Landmannalaugar and Reykjadalur from too much tourism by building up a nature paradise close to the city," said Schram in an interview with mbl.is.

On his blog he proposes the idea of turning the area around the lake into a water park for tourists and that the lake could be marketed as the "Red Lagoon". 

"Both Icelanders and visitors to the country love to enjoy warm water in nature, such as the Blue Lagoon, Landmannalaugar or Reykjadalur. Whether its cold, raining or foggy, people are unhesistant to walk for an hour each way just to bathe. It's an attraction that we should make more us of," writes Schram. He points out that ten years ago, 400 people visited Reykjadalur but this year the area is expecting 40 thousand tourists, an increase which the area is not prepared for. "We need to give tourists more choices and it would be simple to make Rauðavatn more accessible. It's in a location close to the city and a short distance away from its many hotels." He continues to mention that possibilites in the lake area could include a camping site, restaurants, boat trips, a swimming pool and a minigolf.  

Schram visited the area recently and thinks it is rather run down. "There's rubbish in the area and the walking paths and roads haven't been attended to. However the area is beautiful, there's plenty of vegetation, and geothermal water close by which could be channeled into the lake which is slowly drying up. 

City councellor Hjálmar Sveinsson and chairman of the environmental planning commission says that the commission is prepared to look into all ideas of making areas like Rauðavatn more accessible. Sveinsson added that the area should first and foremost serve as a wonderful recreational area for inhabitants of the city. 

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