Lake · West Iceland
Hvalvatn
lake
Quick facts
- Hvalvatn is 83 km from Reykjavík by road, about 1 h 33 min by car. The nearest road is about 5.3 km away.
- Hvalvatn lies 378 metres above sea level.
- The nearest town to Hvalvatn is Borgarnes.
- Hvalvatn is a lake in West Iceland.

The facts
| Elevation | 378 m |
|---|---|
| Nearest town | Borgarnes |
| From Reykjavík | 83 km by road, about 1 h 33 min |
| Region | West Iceland |
| Coordinates | 64.3870° N, 21.1581° W |
Getting there
Directions go to the sight's mapped point. For a mountain, glacier or lake that can be well away from the road, so park only in marked areas and walk from there.
The nearest road is about 5.3 km away.
Stay on marked paths, leave no trace and close gates behind you. Driving off-road is illegal in Iceland.
Areas can be closed at short notice to protect them. Check the official page before travelling.
Questions people ask
What is Hvalvatn?
Hvalvatn is a lake in West Iceland. It lies 378 metres above sea level.
Where is Hvalvatn?
Hvalvatn is at 64.3870° N, 21.1581° W, in West Iceland. The nearest town is Borgarnes. The nearest other sight on our map is Hvalfell, a mountain about 2.5 km away in a straight line.
How far is Hvalvatn from Reykjavík?
Hvalvatn is 83 km from Reykjavík by road, about 1 h 33 min by car. The nearest road is about 5.3 km away.
How do I get to Hvalvatn?
The Google Maps and Apple Maps directions on this page go to the mapped point of Hvalvatn, not to a search for its name. The nearest town is Borgarnes.
Does it cost anything to visit Hvalvatn?
We have not verified a fee for Hvalvatn. Some landowners charge for parking or entry, so check the signs on arrival. Iceland's right of public access comes with duties: stay on marked paths and leave no trace.
Where can you swim near Hvalvatn?
The nearest place to get in warm water is World Class Mosfellsbær - Gym & Pool, about 79 minutes' drive from Hvalvatn. It is included on any LifePass, so there is nothing to pay at the door. Also within reach: World Class Árbær & Pool (85 min), World Class Breiðholt & Pool (88 min).
— After this
Soak here afterwards
On the way back
- 79 min driveIncluded on any LifePass
- 85 min driveIncluded on any LifePass
- 88 min driveIncluded on any LifePass
- 89 min driveIncluded on any LifePass
- 92 min driveper visit with LifePass
- 97 min driveIncluded on any LifePass
Nearby sights
Straight-line distance, not driving distance.
Sources
Place data from OpenStreetMap and Wikidata. Photographs from Wikimedia Commons, credited individually.
- Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
- Wikidata (CC0-1.0)
- Wikipedia (CC-BY-SA-4.0)
© OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database License.

