Elliðaárdalur

About Elliðaárdalur

Elliðaárdalur is one of the largest green areas within Reykjavík's urban core. It is also one of the most popular areas for outdoor recreation, games, and various sports activities. The valley is characterized by diverse environments, landscapes, and vegetation. Its focal point is the Elliðaár rivers, after which the valley is named.

Elliðaár flow from Elliðavatn lake northward and westward between Breiðholt and Selás-Ártúnsholt in two branches. The rivers effectively divide the city in two at their estuary. Salmon run up the rivers, making them one of the most popular salmon fishing rivers in southwest Iceland. Elliðaár were harnessed for hydropower in 1921, with the largest dam near the old Árbær farm. Elliðaárdalur has been a site of reforestation, but it also contains many natural vegetation habitats. Bird life is abundant in the valley. Points of interest in or near Elliðaárdalur include Árbær Open Air Museum, Reykjavík Energy Heritage Museum, and the Fákur Equestrian Club's stables in Víðidalur.

Basic information

Transportation:

• Elliðaárdalur is an important transportation route for pedestrians and cyclists. Walking and biking paths connect to Fossvogur Valley and Heiðmörk, as well as nearby residential areas.
• Parking - at Árbæjarsafn (Kistuhylur), Árbæjarlaug (Fylkisvegur)
• Public bus: 3-4-5-11-12-17-19-24-26-28-57-58-59 – Bus stops: Elliðaárdalur/Blesugróf (3-11-12-17-57-58-59), Árbæjarsafn (12-24), Rafstöðvarvegur (19), Sílakvísl/Laxakvísl (19), Hraunbær/Hábær (5), Fylkisvegur/Hraunsás(19-26), Næfurás/Reykás/Sauðás (5/19), Smyrilshólar/Stelkhólar (3-4),Gerðuberg (3-4-12-17), Ögurhvarf (28).

You can find: Museum - Artwork - Benches - Picnic tables - Walking paths - Biking paths - Riding trails - Sports areas - Fishing - Bird life - Forestry - Historical sites - Geological features.

Geology

• The geology of Elliðaárdalur is diverse, given its large area. The bedrock is characterized by gray basalt, originating from volcanic eruptions during warm periods of the last ice age. Sedimentary layers from the end of the ice age, particularly coastal sediments from times of higher sea levels, are found in many places. Large coastal terraces are visible in the lower part of the valley.
• Leitahraun, a 4,500-year-old lava field, significantly shapes the landscape of Elliðaárdalur. The lava flowed from a crater called Leitin in the Bláfjöll area, down Sandskeiðið and through Elliðavatn. Rauðhólar formed when the Leitahraun lava flowed over a marsh or shallow lake. Leitahraun is mostly pahoehoe lava, forming interesting lava formations throughout the valley. The Elliðaár river has eroded the lava, creating beautiful waterfalls in the middle and lower parts of the valley. The largest waterfalls are Selfoss and Stórifoss, located just below the Árbær dam.

Flora and wildlife

• The flora of Elliðaárdalur is highly diverse, ranging from barren gravel vegetation to dense forests. Nearly 320 species of vascular plants have been found in the valley. Human settlement, agriculture, and reforestation have significantly influenced the vegetation. Many plant species have spread from nearby gardens. Since the mid-20th century, the Reykjavík Electricity Company and the Reykjavík Forestry Association have planted numerous trees in the middle and lower parts of the valley. Birch, rowan, willow, larch, Alaska willow, Sitka spruce, and lodgepole pine are among the most common tree species in the valley. Old fields and meadows have mostly transformed into lush flowerbeds due to the fertile soil. In Blásteinshólmi, above the Árbær dam, there are unique wetland habitats that are submerged for part of the year.
• Bird life in Elliðaárdalur is extremely diverse, with few areas in Reykjavík hosting as many bird species. Approximately 25 species have been known to nest in the valley. Waterfowl are prominent on the Elliðaár rivers, especially above the Árbær dam. These include swans, greylag geese, mallards, teals, tufted ducks, and red-breasted merganser. Harlequin ducks have nested along the upper reaches of Elliðaár. Common goosander are also fairly common winter visitors. Various wader species nest in the valley, including oystercatchers, ringed plovers, golden plovers, snipes, black-tailed godwits, and redshanks. Black-headed gulls, lesser black-backed gulls, and Arctic terns are common visitors. Sparrows are most visible in the shrub and woodland areas below the Árbær dam, particularly redwings, redpolls, starlings, and blackbirds. Wrens and goldcrests are regularly seen in reforested areas. Meadow pipits nest in open areas, and white wagtails are common near buildings. Ravens are prominent in winter.
• Both minks and semi-feral rabbits have been seen in Elliðaárdalur. The rabbit populations, in particular, has been increasing in recent years.
• The ecosystem of Elliðaár is diverse, as the rivers are spring-fed with their source in the large, biologically rich Elliðavatn lake. The rivers' invertebrate life is abundant and varies between different areas of the rivers. Near the rivers mouth, black fly larvae dominate, while in calmer areas, there is more planktonic and benthic life. There, midge larvae, copepods, water mites, and oligochaetes are the dominant groups. These invertebrates form the basic food source for water birds and fish in the rivers.
• Elliðaár are salmon fishing rivers and an important spawning ground for Icelandic salmon. About 2,500 salmon run up the rivers each summer, and the estimated number of smolts migrating out annually is about 15,000. Sea trout and Arctic char also run in the rivers, and eels are occasionally found. Salmonid migrations are measured with a counter located near the old power station.

History and human activity

• Salmon fishing has been practiced in Elliðaár for a long time, likely since the beginning of settlement in Reykjavík. The King of Denmark owned the salmon fishing rights in the river for about 300 years until the 19th century, when the fishing rights were sold. The City of Reykjavík purchased the river in 1906.
• During the time of the the New Enterprises (I. Innréttingarnar) in Reykjavík in the mid-18th century, wool processing took place in Elliðaárdalur, with a fulling mill, dyeing house, and tannery established there. The river current was used for the fulling process.
• The first bridge over Elliðaár was built in 1883. Today, there are over 20 bridges on the rivers, mostly for pedestrians.
• The hydroelectric power station at Elliðaár began operations in 1921. The main dam is at Árbær, but it is only active in winter. During this time, a reservoir forms in the upper part of the valley, and Blásteinshólmi is submerged. In spring and summer, the rivers flow freely through the valley. The Reykjavík Energy Heritage Museum offers information about the history of electricity production in Elliðaárdalur. There are also geothermal areas in Elliðaárdalur used for district heating.
• During World War II, army barracks were built in five locations in Elliðaárdalur. Today, the only remnants are at the bottom of Ártúnsbrekka, where there are remains of underground bunkers.
• Elliðaárdalur has long been used as an area four outdoor recreation by Reykjavík residents. Before urban development extended east of Elliðaár, there were many summer cottages and other small buildings in the valley. In some places, farming was practiced, mainly sheep farming, haymaking, and horticulture. Grazing pressure was considerable in the valley until free-range livestock was phased out in the 1960s. The summer cottage settlements largely disappeared after the Árbær and Breiðholt neighborhoods were developed from 1960 to 1990.

References

• Árni Hjartarson. 1998. Elliðaárdalur: Land and History. Mál og Mynd, Reykjavík.
• Jóhann Pálsson. 2004. Flora of Elliðaárdalur: origin and distribution of species. Prepared for the Reykjavík Environmental and Health Agency.
• Kristbjörn Egilsson, Kristinn Haukur Skarphéðinsson, Guðmundur Guðjónsson, Haukur Jóhannesson, and Jóhann Óli Hilmarsson. 1999. Nature along the coasts of Reykjavík: Elliðaárdalur, Úlfarsá, Blikastaðakró, Grafarvogur, Elliðavogur, and Laugarnes. Prepared by the Icelandic Institute of Natural History for Reykjavík City Planning.