Elliðaárdalur Park, Reykjavík, Iceland (2023)

Elliðaárdalur Park, Reykjavík, Iceland, photograph # 1 — we were very surprised to find a park with so much natural open space, with a rapidly flowing river with numerous waterfalls, abutting houses all along the northern edge of the city central park

Late on our last afternoon in Reykjavík, we had a chance to again join with some fellow photographers for a 15-minute mini-bus ride from the central harbor, through Reykjavík with our photography workshop leader, to the southern suburbs, where we had the opportunity to photograph what many have nicknamed “Icelandic Central Park”, Elliðaárdalur Park.  Elliðaárdalur Park  is one of the biggest outdoor areas in Reykjavík and is also one of the most popular areas in the city for outdoor recreation.  As shown in photograph # 1, above, we were very surprised to find a park with so much natural open space, with a rapidly flowing river with numerous waterfalls, abutting houses all along the northern edge of the city central park.  In addition to the trails along the river, there are numerous hiking trails and running paths through the park.

Elliðaárdalur Park, Reykjavík, Iceland, photograph # 2 — Elliðaárdalur valley is known for its beautiful river, called Elliðaá River, that runs through the valley with more than one waterfall

Elliðaárdalur Park, Reykjavík, Iceland, photograph # 3 — during summertime people go fishing in the Elliðaá River, mostly for the stocked salmon and brown trout; we saw some trout swimming in the river that were up to 20 inches (51 centimeters) long

We heard that it’s a tradition for the mayor of Reykjavík to try and hook the first catch of the season in the Elliðaá River in Elliðaárdalur Park.

Elliðaárdalur Park, Reykjavík, Iceland, photograph # 4 — a close-up of bark on a white birch tree

Elliðaárdalur Park, Reykjavík, Iceland, photograph # 5

Elliðaárdalur Park, Reykjavík, Iceland, photograph # 6

Elliðaárdalur Park, Reykjavík, Iceland, photograph # 7

Elliðaárdalur Park, Reykjavík, Iceland, photograph # 8

Elliðaárdalur Park, Reykjavík, Iceland, photograph # 9

Elliðaárdalur Park, Reykjavík, Iceland, photograph # 10 – details of a carved figurehead near an entrance to the park

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