Ellidaardalur

The Ellidaa runs from Ellidavatn to the sea through eastern Reykjavik, and it is a genuine salmon river inside a capital - a few hundred fish are taken a season, all catch and release since 2020, within sight of housing blocks. The valley around it was protected as the city grew, so it is now a green corridor of birch, paths and lava with the river cutting through. The power station on the bank, Ellidaarstod, opened in 1921 and was the first hydro plant to supply Reykjavik with electricity at any scale; it ran until 2014 and the building is preserved. There are waterfalls and pools along the way, and the old bridges make short circuits easy.

What you actually see

• A salmon river inside a capital - fished catch and release since 2020.
• Ellidaarstod of 1921 - the plant that first electrified Reykjavik properly.
• A protected green corridor - birch, lava and paths through the suburbs.
• Falls and pools - the river's small drops on its way to the sea.

When to go

May to October for green; the paths are used all year. Two to three hours.

Honest expectations

This is a city park rather than wilderness, with roads crossing it and housing on both sides. Salmon are rarely visible. Paths ice over in winter. The power station is open only for arranged visits and events.

Nearby

Heidmork and Raudholar are upstream; central Reykjavik is fifteen minutes west.