Heiðmörk Nature Reserve

Iceland has little woodland, and this is where Reykjavík planted its own. More than four million trees have gone in since 1950, and 26 tree species now grow here. The Sitka spruce is the most prominent. At least 150 wild flower species have been counted, and more than 60 species of wild bird, mostly around Elliðavatn and Myllulækjartjörn.

The reserve is volcanic ground as well. Rauðhólar, a cluster of red pseudocraters, was protected as a natural monument in 1961 and opened as a public field in 1974. Much of the planting is still done by volunteer groups, who hold about 140 allotted plots and lay out paths and benches on them. Surveys count more visitors in Heiðmörk than in the national park at Þingvellir.

• Shared paths. Horses use the tracks, and there is manure on them. Watch your footing.
• This is Reykjavík's water supply. The city's reservoirs and drinking water wells sit inside the reserve.
• Autumn picking. Blueberries and mushrooms grow in the woods.
• Dogs are allowed, and the place suits children.
• Signs along the way. The paths carry information and educational signs, and there are rest stops.

Heiðmörk lies about 10 km from central Reykjavík, south-east of Lake Elliðavatn, and the approach is by road. There is parking at the reserve, and from there the woods are walked on forest roads and made paths.

Better: autumn, for blueberries and mushrooms under the trees.

Avoid: midwinter, if the point of the trip is flowers and birds.

Heiðmörk is planted forest, so the year reads differently here from most of Iceland. The conifers hold their colour in winter, and the reserve is walked in every season. The wild flowers and the birds around Elliðavatn and Myllulækjartjörn belong to the warm months.