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By Monika

Stuðlagil Canyon Guide: Tips for Hiking and Best Viewpoints.

Stuðlagil Canyon is a stunning spot in Northeast Iceland, not far from the Ring Road. 

It is known for the unique basalt rock columns lining the canyon walls and a bright blue-green glacial river that, in contrast with the dark rocks, gives it a striking appearance.

I stumbled upon information about Stuðlagil Canyon by accident and boy, am I happy I did!

It was one of the highlights of our trip to Iceland, and a wonderful stop on one of our longest driving days, from Möðrudalur to Höfn. 

Here are my tips for visiting this beautiful destination.

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About Stuðlagil  Canyon

Stuðlagil Canyon is located in Northeast Iceland, in Jökuldalur Valley, along the Jökulsá á Dal River (also called Jökulsá á Brú).

It was created by a glacial flood in the late 19th century and used to be completely submerged by the water till the year 2007, when the construction of the Kárahnjúkar dam redirected the river and decreased its flow through the canyon. That exposed the magnificent basalt columns the canyon is now famous for, however for about another decade it was an off-the-beaten-path attraction, known only to avid local hikers and nature enthusiasts.

Stuðlagil gained popularity after a marketing article for an Iceland- based airline called WOW was published in 2017. The airline no longer exists but the mention of Stuðlagil Canyon in the article made it known to the public and it is now visited by more and more tourists each year.

It is about .5 km long and best known for the hexagonal basalt columns lining its walls. They are about 20-30 meters tall.

How to get to Studlagil Canyon? 

By car:

The best way to get there is to drive. The closest major town to Studlagil Canyon is Egilsstaðir. 

Here are some driving distances from the nearest larger towns for your reference.

Here is a map to help you navigate:

The drive from Reykjavik is long, so I’d recommend making it a multi-day trip and explore other parts of Western Iceland along the way. Maybe take a detour to Snæfellsnes Peninsula or the Westfjords?

Stuðlagil is a little bit off the Ring Road, but definitely worth making a detour. More on how to get there and the landmarks to watch out for later in the post. 

By plane:

From Reykjavik domestic airport you can fly to Akureyri or Egilsstaðir domestic airport and rent a car to explore Northern Iceland.

With a tour:

If you’re not up for driving bumpy roads leading to Stuðlagil Canyon or exploring it on your own, you can join one of the guided tours. These tours are led by experienced guides who can also provide you with information about the geology and history of the area.

They also offer transportation to and from the canyon, making it a hassle-free experience. And BONUS – some also include an admission ticket to Vök Baths – a beautiful, relaxing spa in Egilsstaðir.

Here are some options you may like:

• Stuðlagil Canyon and Waterfall Tour from Seyðisfjörður – this tour departs from Seyðisfjörður, a small town a short distance past Egilsstaðir and also includes a visit to a beautiful waterfall.
• Full Day Stuðlagil Canyon and Vök Baths Guided Tour – this tour starts in Egilsstaðir, but offers other pick-up options and also an admission ticket to Vök Baths.
• Stuðlagil Canyon Private Tour – customize your experience in a small group setting!

As I mentioned, Reykjavik is a little further away so the only tours available are multi-day tours.

The east side vs. the west side 

There are two ways you can access Stuðlagil Canyon. 

From east side of the canyon, you can follow the hiking trail and get close to the breathtaking basalt columns of the canyon and even all the way down to the river.

You can also go to the west side and see the canyon from the observation platform above it. 

Let me tell you about both options.

Hiking to Stuðlagil Canyon from the east side

If your itinerary allows it’s a good idea to visit both sides of the canyon to get a full view of this natural wonder from every possible perspective. We weren’t sure if we’d be able to do that, so we started with the hike.

First, let me tell you how to get to the East Side parking lot.

From rt. 1 (the Ring Road) you’ll take a well-marked turn to road 923 (Jökuldasvegur). We were coming from Möðrudalur (clockwise on the Ring Road), and the right turn onto road 923 was pretty sharp, but if you drive carefully, you won’t miss it.

The road is paved for about 1.5 km, then you veer slightly to the left and for another 13 km. you’ll be driving on an unpaved, narrow dirt road. It’s not too bumpy, but it was definitely a surprise to us. 

The picture above shows rt. 923 on our way back from the canyon. Going towards it you’ll have the river on your left.

Here is a video of the drive:

Pay attention to your odometer and towards the end of the 13 km, be on the lookout for a left turn and a sign for Klaustrusel/Stuðlagil, with a hiking figure on it.

For Google Maps navigation you can type in “Studlagil (East side parking)” or “Parking Klaustrusel – Studlagil” andyou should have no trouble getting there. 

You’ll go through an open gate and enter the Klaustursel Farm property, where you’ll see the parking area and the bridge.

SO – there are two parking lots on the east side. The one I just mentioned above is considered the main lot, but there is also another parking lot, which I will describe in just a moment.

You have a choice of leaving your car in the small main lot (pictured above) and heading out on foot, across the white wooden bridge, and up the gravel road to the main trailhead for the canyon hike.

It’s about 2.5 miles each way and will take about 45 minutes to reach the trailhead. 

OR you can cross the bridge in your car and take a short drive to the next parking lot, much closer to the hiking trail. 

Our first thought was to keep going so we crossed the bridge and immediately saw a very bumpy, narrow track… So we turned around, drove back over the bridge to park and go on foot.

Then we thought about it again, saw a few cars go by and decided that simply for the sake of saving time, we’ll drive to the second parking lot. 

Watch the video below to find out why we hesitated and why, in the end, I believe making this drive was a very good decision!

Yes, the road was VERY bumpy, very narrow, and full of potholes, but the journey is part of the adventure, right? We had some laughs as we slowly moved along, avoiding one pothole only to fall into another. Slow and steady is the key!

Not only did we save time, but also avoided a long trek in the dust from passing cars. 

Good to know: we had a Toyota RAV4, and the drive was fine, however, if you have a small car with lower ground clearance, you may want to consider parking in the first, lower parking lot and hiking from there.

For advice on how to choose the right rental car for you trip read this detailed guide!

The second parking lot was surprisingly large, given the remote location, and – by the time we arrived – already half full. 

Helpful hint: there were no facilities at either of the east side parking lots and no restrooms at the time of our visit, however recent visitors reported that there is now a food truck and a restroom at the upper lot. The access road has also received some improvements and is not as rough.

Important: the upper parking lot (Stuðlagil Klaustursel) is now paid. The cost is 1000 ISK per car and can be paid via the parka.is app or online.

Stuðlagil Canyon hike

Once you leave the parking lot, just follow the path that will take you along the river, and later along the edge of the canyon rim.

The hike offers absolutely stunning views of the surrounding area as you make your way, slightly uphill at times, through the relatively easy/moderate trail.

You’ll pass the small but really pretty Stuðlafoss waterfall (pictured above) and then, as you get closer, you’ll see different, sometimes bent and twisted hexagonal basalt columns forming the canyon walls. 

The hike to the canyon takes anywhere from 30-60 minutes, depending on your pace.

Once you arrive at the canyon, you’re rewarded with truly breathtaking views and a sense of awe at what nature can create!

If you’re careful, you can climb the long, tall basalt structure and stand right in the middle of the canyon!

It’s an amazing feeling although it does look scary at first. Stay away from the edges and be mindful of other tourists.

You can also go down to the riverbed, there are even ropes to help you scramble over the rocks. Just be careful, they can be slippery. 

You can see the viewing deck accessible from the west side of the canyon.

FUN FACT: it is said that Stuðlagil Canyon has the largest number of basalt rock formations in Iceland… 

Once you’ve had your fill of Stuðlagil and its beauty, you can simply retrace your steps and head back to the car.  And brace yourself for round two of the rugged terrain drive back to the Ring Road!

Is the river water always blue?

The water of the Jökulsá River flowing through the canyon is famous for its vibrant blue or turquoise color, creating a stunning contrast against the dark basalt columns. We see that on every postcard and magnet, right?

However it’s not always that color and I’ve tried to research what affects it. Some sources blame it on changing seasons, the amount of sediment and later snow, some say it’s connected with the status of the Kárahnjúkar dam changing the river’s water level.  The angle of the sunlight is a big factor, too.

As you can see from my photos in this article, when we visited in August, the river was greyish brown, so not as picture perfect as we’d like, but the whole area is just so amazing that the color of the water didn’t matter that much.

Just know that the blue color is not a guarantee and set off on this hike with realistic expectations.

The west side of Stuðlagil Canyon – the viewpoint.

To reach the viewpoint you will drive past the turn off to Klaustrusel Farm, continuing on rt. 923 towards a farm named Grund, where the main parking lot is located. 

On Google Maps, this location will show up as “Studlagil Canyon Main Access”

Here is the map for easier orientation:

The west side has a large parking lot with the bathrooms.

There is a fee to park (1000 ISK per car) that also includes access to the restrooms. The fee can be paid via the parka.is app or online.

To reach the best viewpoint of the canyon, you’ll have to go down the stairs that lead to the observation deck set on top of the canyon rim. It’s about 200 steps one way.

We saw the viewpoint from our east side hike but ended up skipping it since we stayed at the canyon longer than originally planned, having a great time exploring it up close, and still had a long drive ahead of us.

But if you can do both sides, definitely go for it!

Best Time to Visit Stuðlagil Canyon

The best time to visit Stuðlagil Canyon is during the summer months, from June to August. During this time, the weather is mild and the days are long, giving you plenty of time to explore the area. You also have the best chance to see the Jökla river water in its famous bright blue color.

If you have flexibility in your itinerary, you can try to time your visit for a day when the water level on the river is low by checking this website.

However, keep in mind that Stuðlagil Canyon is a popular destination and during the busiest time of year, you should be prepared for crowds. It’s best to get there early in the morning, which was our plan but because we had a hard time leaving the magical Möðrudalur farm on schedule, we came much later. We still loved it!

If you prefer to avoid the crowds, consider visiting in the shoulder season, from May to June or September to October. The weather may be cooler, but you’ll have a better chance of having the canyon to yourself.

Is Stuðlagil Canyon accessible during the winter?

Generally, yes – however rt. 923 has limited winter maintenance so it’s crucial to check road conditions before travelling. Driving to the secondary lot is not recommended in winter months due to snow and ice, and the hike may be more challenging as well for the same reasons.

If you do attempt it, make sure to bring appropriate clothing and hiking gear. Also register your travel plan, especially if you travel solo. 

The safest way to visit the canyon in the winter is via the west side viewpoint, after checking rt. 923 passability first.

How long do you need at Stuðlagil Canyon?

If you’re hiking from the lower parking lot, just the round trip to the trailhead can be about 1.5 – 2 hours.

If you drive to the secondary parking lot, the hike to the canyon is about 45 minutes one way, depending on the number of photo stops and your pace, plus add time to explore the canyon. I’d suggest allowing at least 1 hour for that, but most likely you’ll want to stay longer – it’s quite an amazing place!

Wondering how to fit this wonderful spot into your Iceland itinerary? Click here to see how we did it!

Safety Tips

While Stuðlagil Canyon is a beautiful and unique destination, it’s important to keep safety in mind while exploring the area. Here are a few tips:

• Wear sturdy shoes with good traction, as the terrain can be uneven and slippery.
• Stay on designated trails and paths, and avoid getting too close to the canyon edge
• Be aware of your surroundings and other tourists, especially in those epic photo spots!
• Do not attempt to swim in the river! The water may be very cold, and the current strong and unpredictable
• Bring plenty of water and snacks as there are no facilities on the trail.
• Check the weather forecast before your visit and be prepared for changing weather conditions.

Where to stay near Stuðlagil Canyon?

For us Möðrudalur was a perfect starting point to explore the canyon (and also a wonderful unique experience!) but Egilsstaðir is also very convenient for visiting this region.

Nearby attractions:

• Möðrudalur Farm
• Lake Mývatn
• Diamond Circle
• Vök Baths

Is Stuðlagil Canyon worth a visit?

It’s absolutely worth every effort required to get there. Whether you choose to hike or go to the viewpoint, the views of the canyon’s basalt columns and the river are stunning, regardless of which side you’re on.  

This natural wonder is not to be missed during your Iceland road trip!

👉 Don’t forget TRAVEL INSURANCE! I don’t travel without it. Get a quote from my personal #1 choice – Travel Guard – or check more options here!

🛜 Stay connected during your trip with an eSIM like Airalo, Saily or Sim Local!

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