Stuðlagil Canyon

About Stuðlagil Canyon

Stuðlagil is a breathtaking canyon in East Iceland, famous for its extraordinary hexagonal basalt columns rising on both sides of the vivid blue-green Jökla river. The canyon became accessible to wider attention around 2018 after a dam upstream reduced glacial sediment, revealing the columns and transforming the water color. There are two approaches: the east side offers a shorter but steeper trail directly into the canyon (1 hour round trip), while the west side from Gljúfrastofa parking provides views from above (4 hour round trip). This has quickly become one of Iceland's most photographed locations.

📖 History

The canyon was largely hidden beneath the glacial Jökulsá á Dal river until the Kárahnjúkar hydroelectric project (completed 2009) dramatically lowered the water level. As the river receded, it revealed the extraordinary basalt columns that had been submerged for centuries. Stuðlagil only became widely known around 2017 when aerial drone photographs spread across social media. It has since become one of Iceland's most sought-after photography destinations.

Key Facts