Informationen über: Breiddalsa River

Breiðdalsá estuary at Breiðdalsvík. Photo: Eysteinn Guðni Guðnason, CC BY-SA 4.0

Breiðdalsá (the "river of the broad valley") is the salmon river of Breiðdalur in East Iceland. It gathers the water of three mountain rivers, Norðurdalsá, Suðurdalsá and Tinnudalsá, winds across the floor of the largest valley in the Eastfjords and reaches the sea at the cove of Breiðdalsvík, just below the village of the same name.

Breiðdalsá is described by the angling trade as the only notable salmon river in the Eastfjords, and most visitors cross it without knowing it: the Ring Road bridge sits at the head of the cove, a few minutes' drive from the village.

Key Takeaways About Breiðdalsá

• The only notable salmon river in the Eastfjords; fly only, catch and release, 20 June to 20 September
• Formed by Norðurdalsá, Suðurdalsá and Tinnudalsá; reaches the sea at Breiðdalsvík, crossed by the Ring Road
• About 600 km from Reykjavík and 80 km from Egilsstaðir; lower river on paved road, no F-roads
• Beljandi waterfall, Heydalir church and Breiðdalsvík village (geology centre, brewery) are all within 5 km

Why visit Breiddalsa River

Breiðdalur is the largest valley in the Eastfjords, walled by mountains that rise above 1,100 metres. The valley sits inside the remains of an ancient, eroded central volcano, which is why the drive over Breiðdalsheiði on Route 95 shows so much colour in the rock.

Breiðdalsá is the thread that ties the valley together. In its upper reaches it is a clear, fast mountain river with wild brown trout; lower down it slows, broadens and splits around gravel bars before it meets the tide at Breiðdalsvík.

Breiðdalur from Breiðdalsheiði. Photo: AwOiSoAk KaOsIoWa, CC BY-SA 3.0

Three things draw people to the river itself:

• Salmon fishing. Breiðdalsá is fished with 6 to 8 rods from 20 June to 20 September, fly only, with a catch-and-release policy. Salmon around and over 10 kilograms are landed most years, and a smolt-release programme has been used to strengthen the run. Fishing is by permit only and is normally booked through the Eyjar Fishing Lodge (run by Strengir Angling Service) or an angling agent.
• Arctic char and brown trout. The lower river holds sea-run Arctic char, mostly in the 1 to 2 kilogram range, while the upper river has early-summer fishing for resident brown trout.
• Scenery and walking. The area has marked walking routes, and Beljandi waterfall, a pair of low falls on Breiðdalsá itself a few kilometres inland from the village, is an easy stop. Beljandi also gave its name to the craft brewery in Breiðdalsvík.

The river is the reason the village of Breiðdalsvík exists where it does, at the river mouth, and Breiðdalssetur, the geology and heritage centre in the old co-op building in the village (free entry; check current hours), puts the valley in context.

How to get to Breiddalsa River

Breiðdalsá is crossed by the Ring Road (Route 1) at the head of Breiðdalsvík cove, roughly 2 km from the village of Breiðdalsvík. The coordinates on this page mark the lower river beside Heydalir church, about 5 km up the valley from the village, near where Route 95 runs up the valley.

• From Reykjavík: about 600 km and 8.5 to 9 hours of driving along the south coast on Route 1. This is a two-day drive for most people.
• From Egilsstaðir: about 80 km, 1 hour 15 minutes, either along the coast on Route 1 through the Fáskrúðsfjörður tunnel and Stöðvarfjörður, or inland on Route 95 over Breiðdalsheiði. Route 95 is largely gravel across the heath and is often closed in winter.
• From Djúpivogur: about 60 km, 55 minutes, north on Route 1 along Berufjörður and around Streitishvarf.
• Egilsstaðir airport is the nearest airport, about 80 km away via Route 95 or about 100 km by the coast road.

There is no dedicated car park for the river. Stop in Breiðdalsvík village, or use the pull-offs on Route 95 as it follows the river inland up the valley.

The upper valley and fishing beats are reached on farm tracks; the angling operators recommend a 4x4, and you need permission from the landowners or the lodge to fish or to drive to the pools. No F-roads are involved for the lower river.

Best time to visit

Summer, from June to September, is the season for everything here: the fishing season, open gravel roads over Breiðdalsheiði, long daylight and the valley at its greenest.

If you are not fishing, late June and early July give you midnight light and nesting birds along the estuary, while September adds autumn colour to the birch on the valley sides and the first snow on the peaks.

In winter the Ring Road along the coast is normally kept open, but Route 95 over the heath often is not, and the river is best seen from the bridge or the village.

Safety and practical tips

• Fishing without a permit is illegal in Iceland. Breiðdalsá permits are sold by the Eyjar Fishing Lodge and angling agents; they are limited and often sell out well in advance. Fly only, catch and release.
• All fishing gear brought into Iceland must be disinfected, or you must show a certificate of disinfection, to protect wild stocks.
• The river rises quickly after rain and in the spring melt. Do not wade without local advice.
• Weather in the Eastfjords changes fast, and fog is common near the coast. Carry warm layers even in July.
• Facilities (fuel, shop, café, hotel, brewery, campsite) are in Breiðdalsvík village. There are no fees to view the river or walk the valley, and no opening hours.
• Keep to tracks and respect private farmland in the valley.