Exploring Stuðlagil Canyon: A Geological Gem in East Iceland

The Land of Fire and Ice sits on many secrets we have yet to uncover. Stuðlagil Canyon was one of those secrets until a modern-day infrastructure project unknowingly lifted the veil.

In this article, we uncover the story behind one of the most amazing geological wonders in Iceland. Follow us on a journey through time as we tell you all about Stuðlagil Canyon and why it is an old modern marvel.

Stuðlagil Canyon: An Overview

When it comes to striking geological formations in Iceland, Stuðlagil Canyon is high on the list of the most baffling ones. With massive basalt columns towering over the river, hiking here will make you question just how natural these formations are.

The Stuðlagil Canyon in Iceland is made up of a huge number of almost perfect hexagonal basalt columns. The shape of these makes it look like they have been meticulously made in a factory somewhere and placed here to enhance the look of the area. Despite this, there is a completely natural explanation for it.

How Stuðlagil Canyon Was “Made”

This is not your ordinary canyon, and it wasn’t created like most other ones in the country. Normally, canyons in Iceland are the results of massive volcanic eruptions that have been carved out either by glaciers or by rivers and then dried out. This canyon was carved out by a glacial river but was not visible until humans intervened. The river Jökulsá á Dal is still there today, only at a fraction of its former size.

In 2007, a need for more electricity in Iceland was dealt with by constructing a hydroelectric dam on one of the longer rivers in East Iceland. The dam is called Kárahnjúkavirkjun (practically impossible to pronounce for non-Icelanders) and provides 690 MW to the country’s electrical grid.

When the dam was created, most of the river of Jökulsá á Dal was redirected through underground tunnels to various reservoirs nearby. This meant a dramatic drop in the river’s water levels and what was left was a fraction of the original river and the newly created Studlagil Ravine. This story is very similar to the one of the Sigöldugljúfur Canyon in Iceland.

A Little Bit About Jökulsá á Dal

Before the dam was created, the river here was notoriously ferocious and practically impossible to cross at any point. The runoff from the glaciers in the Highlands created a massive brown river of debris and ice-cold water, moving roughly 120 metric tons of sediment per hour into the sea.

Now, the river shifts color from a deep blue and green in the summer in Iceland to grey and brown in the winter and spring. The shift comes depending on what the nearby reservoirs are releasing into the river. In the winter, it’s a lot of sediment and in the summer it’s mostly silica-rich glacial water.

The Creation of Hexagonal Pillars

After visiting some of the lava fields in Iceland, you might have noticed that they are mostly rugged fields with irregular shapes and forms. So, why is the cooled-down lava in Stuðlagil Canyon so hexagonal?

When large volumes of basalt lava are stopped and lay still like a calm lake of bubbling molten rock, something amazing happens. The lava starts to cool down in different spots in the lava field. This makes the lava around these spots retract towards the cooler center, creating hexagonal boundaries between the cooling spots. These continue to cool down from top to bottom creating large columns as tall as the lava is deep.

Since hexagonal columns are most often created from basalt lava flows, they can be spotted all over Iceland. You can see them in areas like the Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, the Dverghamrar Cliffs, and the Svartifoss Waterfall.

Where is Stuðlagil Canyon

Finding Studlagil Canyon in Iceland is easy. It sits in the eastern part of the country not far from Egilsstadir. It’s a part of the Eastern Icelandic Highlands and has been developed continuously to accommodate the growing number of visitors. Local farmers have made parking spots and helped keep the trails in good shape.

How to get to Stuðlagil Canyon

To reach Stuðlagil Canyon, you can drive yourself or join a tour:

Drive Yourself

Before you start driving to the basalt-column canyon in Iceland, you need to know that there are two parking spots that offer different hiking trails. The closest one starts at the White New York Bridge over Jökulsá á Dal, giving you access to the southern part of the Stuðlagil Canyon. The other is further along the road to the main parking area and caters to the northern part.

The canyon is roughly 68-71 kilometers from Egilsstadir, depending on which part of the canyon you want to see. Both will require that you drive the Ring Road, heading north until you reach the exit for Road 923. Drive that road for about 15 kilometers to the White New York Bridge, or 19 kilometers to reach the Stuðlagil main access point.

Guided Tour

There are two kinds of tours going to Stuðlagil Canyon: single-day tours and multi-day tours. The single-day tours often go from the nearby Seyðisfjörðurand are in those cases catered to the people coming from the cruise ships. The other single day will start in Egilsstadir and make it a day outing from there.

Multi-day tours will start from anywhere on the island, but most will start in Reykjavik. On these tours, Stuðlagil Canyon is one of many stops, often as a round-trip around Iceland or a sightseeing tour around East Iceland.

The Stuðlagil Canyon Hike

There are two main hiking trails you can take at Stuðlagil Canyon: the northern one from the main parking area or the southern one from the White New York Bridge. If you want to completely skip the hike, you can drive all the way to the waterfall to check that one out, and then drive back over the bridge and continue to the main parking area for a view of the Stuðlagil Canyon.

From the Main Parking Area

If you look at a Stuðlagil Canyon Map, you’ll see that the hike from here isn’t very long. It’s roughly 5 kilometers back and forth and will usually not take more than 2-3 hours. The path is sturdy and suitable for most members of the family if you don’t try to climb into the valley.

The Stuðlagil Canyon Viewpoint is placed at the very beginning of the hike and provides a great view over the canyon. From there, simply follow the path along the northern side of the canyon and start counting columns. The trail ends with the Stuðlafoss Waterfall, which is surrounded by hexagonal columns, which gives the best opportunity to get some Stuðlagil Canyon Photos to bring home.

From the White New York Bridge

This is the start of a 10-kilometer hike to the Studlagil Basalt Canyon. It’s a little more challenging than the first one but also considered an easy hike. This is also well-suited for most members of the family, but it will take around 5 hours to complete if you’re not in a rush.

Good-to-Know for a Stuðlagil Canyon Hike

Before you visit the famous basalt column in Iceland, there are a few things that would be good to know:

• Toilets can be found in the parking lot by the main parking area.
• You can drive over the White New York Bridge, but it’s narrow, so drive carefully.
• Sturdy boots are recommended, even if the trails are in good shape.
• The rocks in the canyon are slippery, so be very careful if you go down in the Stuðlagil Canyon.
• Do not try to cross the river. Even if it looks manageable, it is strong and can drag you with it.
• Stay on the trails and don’t step on the moss.

When is the Best Time to Visit Stuðlagil Canyon?

This place is best in the summer, early fall, or late spring. If you want to visit Stuðlagil Canyon in the winter, you’re more than welcome to do so, and no one will stop you, but the paths and weather can become harsh in the East Highlands of Iceland.

If you check the Stuðlagil Canyon reviews, summer is clearly preferred. In the summer you will see the sloped sides of the canyon being covered in a velvety green moss and colorful highland flowers. Summer in Iceland also provides the most colorful river since it normally has an almost magical blue-green blend.

In spring in Iceland, you’ll be able to catch the river as it comes down with the meltwater from the glaciers. The color will usually be a dark brown or grey at this point, which has to do with the excess glacial debris that is released into Stuðlagil Canyon from the reservoirs.

What to See and Do Close to Stuðlagil Canyon

Even though East Iceland is a little bit off the beaten path, there are plenty of things to see and do here. See below for some examples of things you can indulge in close to Stuðlagil Canyon:

• Vök Baths: A perfect ending to a day is to swim in hot pools in the middle of the ice-cold Urriðavatn Lake. Here, there is also a sauna, tea bar, in-water pool bar, restaurant, and a cold-water spray tunnel that we strongly recommend you try.
• Laugarvellir Hot Pot: Natural hot springs are all the rage, but this is a natural hot shower with a hot spring. It can be found just north of Stuðlagil Canyon in Laugavallalaug.
• Spot reindeer: North of Stuðlagil Canyon in the winter. In the summer, they stay far up in the Highlands and away from humans. In the winter in Iceland, they come down to graze in the areas that are not covered in snow.
• East Iceland Heritage Museum: A museum in Egilsstadir that is dedicated to the history and remarkable aspects of East Iceland.
• Horse riding in Iceland: Some horse farms in the area will rent out horses and guide you around the beautiful nature of East Iceland.
• Explore the East Iceland Highlands: This is a vast area of the Highlands that few people venture into. If you’re looking for untouched nature and adventure, these are the Highlands for you.

Where to Stay Close to Stuðlagil Canyon

Right next to Stuðlagil Canyon, you won’t find much accommodation. If you go a little further along the Ring Road, though, you will find plenty of places to stay, regardless of what your travel budget is.

• Stuðlagil Canyon Country Homes: Right next to the main parking area are two small houses you can rent. Neither is cheap, but they have a private kitchen, shower, private bathroom, and free Wi-Fi. The larger house has room for 4, while the smaller house has room for two.
• Stuðlagil Canyon Campground: As a budget-friendly option, there is a campsite next to the above-mentioned houses. Here, you have access to toilets, showers, free Wi-Fi, and waste disposal for RVs and campervans.
• Hotel Herad: If you’d rather spend a little more to get a luxurious experience, Hotel Herad is a good option for you. With a great restaurant, a bar with a view, and all the amenities you would expect of a good hotel, this hotel will make you feel well-rested after days of hiking. 
• Lyngas Guesthouse: If you want to stay indoors on a budget Lyngás Guesthouse in Egilsstadir might be a good fit. Private rooms with shared toilets and showers as well as a kitchen to prepare your meals and a bar to have a drink.
• Camp Egilsstadir: Sleep on a budget without losing out on the well-needed amenities. Toilets, showers, laundry room with washer and dryer, inside kitchen, waste disposal for RVs and campers, free Wi-Fi, and outside dishwashing area.

Plan Your Visit to Stuðlagil Canyon

Stuðlagil Canyon is one of those places you must see in person to really appreciate how amazing it is. It’s almost impossible to comprehend that this was created by nature and revealed by man. These hexagonal columns have been hiding under the river for hundreds of years, only to be uncovered by an infrastructure project.

Touring East Iceland is highly recommended and visiting Stuðlagil Canyon is a must. It fits well into a Ring Road itinerary and will not disappoint you. Make sure to rent a campervan in Iceland to start your holiday right and don’t miss out on this opportunity.