Geirsnef Reseguide

Geirsnef and the Elliðaá from above. Photo: Steinninn, CC BY 4.0

Geirsnef is a flat, grassy peninsula in Elliðaárvogur, the bay in east Reykjavík where the Elliðaá salmon river reaches the sea.

The two arms of the river mouth run either side of it, Gelgjutangi lies to the west and Ártúnshöfði to the east, and two red footbridges link it to the shore.

It is best known to Reykjavík residents as the city's best-known off-leash dog area, and to cyclists as a quiet riverside stretch of the path network between Elliðaárdalur and the coast.

The name means Geir's nose: the land was created by filling the natural estuary during the time Geir Hallgrímsson was mayor of Reykjavík (1959–1972; he was later prime minister), and it was named after him.

Key Takeaways About Geirsnef

• Reclaimed peninsula between the two arms of the Elliðaá river mouth in Elliðaárvogur, east Reykjavík, named after Geir Hallgrímsson
• Reykjavík's best-known off-leash dog area: a small fenced enclosure plus a large open field; dogs still need close supervision near Miklabraut
• About 7 km from the city centre; car park at the end of Malarhöfði by the eastern footbridge, or arrive by bike along the Elliðaárdalur path
• Free and always open; no toilets or cafés on the peninsula
• Due to become a city park crossed by the Borgarlína bus line; expect construction changes

Why visit Geirsnef

Geirsnef peninsula is not a conventional sight, and that is the point of it. It is a wide open space with water on three sides, a short ride from downtown, where the view north across the bay goes straight to Mount Esja and the mountains of Kjalarnes.

The Elliðaá is one of the few salmon rivers that flows through a capital city, and during the salmon season, from late June to mid-September, you may see fish moving in the river arms either side of the peninsula.

For anyone travelling with a dog it is one of the few places in Reykjavík where dogs may run free.

The city's 1994 plan for the area described it as a dog training ground, and today it has a fenced enclosure of around 600 m² plus the open field around it, with shallow water at the river mouth on both sides where dogs can wade.

The rest of the city requires dogs on a leash on marked paths.

The area is also about to change. Geirsnef sits inside Reykjavík's biggest development zone, between the new Vogabyggð and Ártúnshöfði neighbourhoods.

The city's framework plan for Ártúnshöfði designates it a borgargarður, a city park with a natural character.

A detailed plan published for consultation in late 2024 proposes more planting and shelter belts, defined walking routes, possible sports facilities, a defined off-leash and training area for dogs, and a Borgarlína rapid-bus line crossing the middle of the peninsula with a new walking and cycling path.

Registered heritage on the site includes an old fishing hut at the river mouth, public fords and the line of the Elliðaá bridge of 1883.

How to get to Geirsnef

Geirsnef is about 7 km east of Reykjavík city centre, a 10 to 15-minute drive or a 25-minute cycle.

By car, leave Route 1 (Vesturlandsvegur/Miklabraut) for the Höfðar industrial area at the Sævarhöfði exit; the car park is at the end of Malarhöfði, by the eastern footbridge.

By bus, Strætó services to the Höfðar and Ártúnshöfði area stop within about a 10-minute walk; check straeto.is for the current routes.

Elliðaá flowing past Geirsnef. Photo: Eysteinn Guðni Guðnason, CC BY 4.0

The nicest approach is by bike or on foot along the Elliðaárdalur path, which follows the river from Elliðavatn down through the valley, under the ring road and out to the peninsula; from there the coastal path continues west along Sæbraut towards Laugardalur and the Sun Voyager. There is no admission fee and the area is always open.

Best time to visit

Geirsnef peninsula works in any season, but it is at its best on calm summer evenings when Esja catches the low sun across the bay, and from late June to mid-September when salmon are running in the Elliðaá.

It is very exposed, so a windy day feels much colder here than in the city streets. In winter the open field is darker than the surrounding streets, so it is a possible spot to look for northern lights within the city, though Reykjavík's light glow is still strong.

Safety and practical tips

• The area borders Vesturlandsveg/Miklabraut, one of Iceland's busiest roads. The animal welfare group Dýrfinna says the enclosure is poorly fenced and that at least 11 dogs have been killed on the road after running out since the area opened around 2002, so keep dogs under close control and leash them in the car park.
• Dogs may be off leash only here and in a few other designated areas in Reykjavík; everywhere else, including the Elliðaárdalur paths, they must be leashed. Keep dogs away from the islets in the river during the bird nesting season in spring and early summer.
• The river arms are tidal and fast; do not let children or dogs swim in the main channels.
• There are no toilets, cafés or shops on the peninsula. The nearest services are in the Höfðar industrial area and at Höfuðstöðin, the art and culture centre in Ártúnshöfði a short walk away.
• Expect construction traffic and changes to paths over the coming years as the Vogabyggð and Ártúnshöfði neighbourhoods are built.