East Iceland · Iceland
Stuðlagil Canyon
Stuðlagil Canyon is a breathtaking gorge in East Iceland lined with towering basalt columns over 20 meters high, with a vivid turquoise river running between them — one of Iceland's most spectacular recent discoveries.
About Stuðlagil Canyon
Stuðlagil Canyon is a breathtaking gorge in East Iceland lined with towering basalt columns over 20 meters high, with a vivid turquoise river running between them — one of Iceland's most spectacular recent discoveries.
History & Background
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
- ✔Basalt columns up to 20 meters high
- ✔Revealed when the Kárahnjúkar dam lowered the river in 2009
- ✔Only widely discovered around 2017
- ✔Vivid turquoise glacial water
- ✔Located in Jökuldalur valley, East Iceland
