Elliðaá — Reykjavík's Salmon River
Urban salmon river — annual salmon run through Reykjavík with walking paths and waterfalls.
About
About Elliðaá — Reykjavík's Salmon River
Urban salmon river — annual salmon run through Reykjavík with walking paths and waterfalls.
Popular with joggers, dog-walkers and salmon fishermen.
Photos
Photo Gallery
Background
History & Background
Elliðaá has been a salmon river since settlement (874 AD). The river powered Reykjavík's first hydroelectric plant (1921). Despite urbanization, salmon run has been maintained through conservation efforts and fishing restrictions. The river valley remains protected green space.
Elliðaá river flows ~25 km from Lake Elliðavatn (Mosfellsheiði highlands) through Reykjavík to Elliðaárvogur bay. The river has two main branches (Elliðaá Vestari and Elliðaá Eystari) that join near Breiðholt. **Salmon Run:** Atlantic salmon enter the river June–September to spawn. Elliðaá is one of the most productive urban salmon rivers worldwide, with annual catch ~1,500 salmon. Fishing requires expensive permits (4,000–8,000 ISK/day) available through laxá.is. **Walking/Cycling Paths:** Network of paths along the river from Laugardalur valley to eastern suburbs (~10 km total). Paths connect to Öskjuhlíð forest and other Reykjavík green spaces. **Waterfalls:** - Elliðaárfoss: Small waterfall near Breiðholt, salmon jump here in summer - Smaller cascades throughout the valley **Nature:** Despite urban location, the river valley is surprisingly wild: birch woodland, wetlands, bird life (ducks, geese, waders). Salmon, trout, Arctic char in river. **Access:** Paths accessible from multiple points: Laugardalur, Breiðholt, Árbær, Elliðaár neighborhood.
Folklore
Story & Folklore
Elliðaá is the only salmon river that runs through a capital city — and it's genuinely wild. Atlantic salmon swim up from the ocean every summer, navigating past suburban houses, industrial areas and shopping malls to spawn in the upper reaches. The river flows 25 km from Lake Elliðavatn in the highlands down through eastern and southern Reykjavík to the sea. Along the way it drops over waterfalls (including Elliðaárfoss), flows through wooded valleys, and creates surprisingly pristine habitat considering it's surrounded by city. Salmon fishing in Elliðaá is popular but expensive — day permits cost thousands of ISK and are limited to protect the run. Non-fishers can walk the riverside paths (which connect Laugardalur to suburban neighborhoods), watch for salmon jumping at waterfalls in summer, and enjoy urban nature. The river valley is where Reykjavík locals jog, walk dogs, and pretend they're not in a city. It works surprisingly well.
💡 Did You Know?
Elliðaá is the only river in the world where you can fish for Atlantic salmon within a capital city — and the fishing is genuinely world-class despite being surrounded by suburbs.
Local Legend
The River That Refused to Die
Reykjavík grew around Elliðaá — housing, industry, roads. But the salmon kept coming back, swimming upstream past the city every summer, refusing to give up.
Culture
Stories & Legends
Icelandic sagas and folklore from this area
Elliðavatn
Elliðavatn is a historic location in Iceland mentioned in "Kjalnesinga saga", one of the ancient Íslendingasögur (Sagas of Icelanders). These medieval narratives preserve the history of Iceland's Viking Age settlement.
Engey
Engey is a historic location in Iceland mentioned in "Njáls saga", one of the ancient Íslendingasögur (Sagas of Icelanders). These medieval narratives preserve the history of Iceland's Viking Age settlement.
Gufunes
Gufunes is a historic location in Iceland mentioned in "Egils saga", one of the ancient Íslendingasögur (Sagas of Icelanders). These medieval narratives preserve the history of Iceland's Viking Age settlement.
Korpúlfsstaðir
Korpúlfsstaðir is a historic location in Iceland mentioned in "Kjalnesinga saga", one of the ancient Íslendingasögur (Sagas of Icelanders). These medieval narratives preserve the history of Iceland's Viking Age settlement.
Explore
Hidden Gems Nearby
✦ Elliðaárfoss Salmon Jump
In July–August, stand at Elliðaárfoss waterfall at dawn and watch Atlantic salmon leap the falls — it's one of the great urban wildlife spectacles.
✦ The Riverside Path from Laugardalur
The path following Elliðaá from Laugardalur to Breiðholt winds through birch woodland and wetlands — it's the most peaceful urban walk in Reykjavík.
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Location
📍 Location
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