Elliðaárdalur Valley
About Elliðaárdalur Valley
Elliðaárdalur is a green river valley in eastern Reykjavík, about 15 minutes' drive from downtown, where the Elliðaár rivers run from Lake Elliðavatn to the sea. It's one of the largest green areas inside the city, with woodland, small waterfalls and a salmon run right between the suburbs.
Around 2,500 salmon swim up the rivers each summer, and anglers often land the first fish of the season at Sjávarfoss near the river mouth. Farther up, the water drops over Ullarfoss and Kermóafoss, two low falls that are easy to reach from the paths.
The main Elliðaárdalur hike is a paved loop of about 12 km that follows both branches of the river and crosses more than twenty footbridges. It's wide, lit and mostly flat, so it works for strollers, wheelchairs and bikes, and the valley stays sheltered on windy days. You can walk any shorter section and turn back, since the paths cross the valley in several places.
Elliðaárstöð, the hydroelectric station that brought electricity to Reykjavík in 1921, is the easiest place to start. The old power plant area now has exhibitions, a café, a playground, toilets and Elliðaárdalur parking, all at Rafstöðvarvegur.
The valley is open all year and costs nothing to visit. In winter the paths and bridges can be icy, so wear shoes with grip, and on clear nights the darker parts of the valley are a handy spot to look for the northern lights without leaving the city.
Good to know
Where is Elliðaárdalur?
Elliðaárdalur is in eastern Reykjavík, between the Árbær and Breiðholt districts, about 15 minutes' drive from downtown. The river runs from Lake Elliðavatn to the sea at Elliðavogur.
How long is the Elliðaárdalur hike?
The full loop along both river branches is about 12 km on paved, lit paths with little climbing. Most people walk a shorter section and turn back.
Where do you park for Elliðaárdalur?
The easiest Elliðaárdalur parking is at Elliðaárstöð on Rafstöðvarvegur, which also has toilets, a café and a playground.
Are there waterfalls in Elliðaárdalur?
Yes, small ones. Sjávarfoss, Ullarfoss and Kermóafoss are low falls along the river, all close to the walking paths.
Can you see salmon in Elliðaárdalur?
Yes. Around 2,500 salmon run up the Elliðaár rivers each summer, and you can often see them jumping at the falls.
Is Elliðaárdalur good for seeing the northern lights?
It's one of the better spots inside Reykjavík, since parts of the valley are darker than the surrounding streets. A strong display on a clear winter night shows up well there.
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