Stuðlagil is a basalt column canyon on the Jökla river (Jökulsá á Dal) in Jökuldalur, East Iceland, reached by Road 923 off the Ring Road. The west side at Grund is a short walk on a metal staircase to viewing platforms above the canyon; the east side at Klaustursel is the only route that reaches the columns at river level, about 5 km round trip. This page contains partner links: if you book, we earn a commission at no cost to you.
Highlights
The basalt columns
hexagonal columns rise from the riverbed, and the turquoise water comes from fine glacial silt, most vivid in summer.
Stuðlafoss
a waterfall surrounded by its own basalt columns, passed about halfway along the east-side trail.
The west-side platform
an easy rim view from Grund, with paid restrooms.
The east-side descent
ropes near the entrance help you down to the riverbed, so expect a steep descent.
Practical info
Tips
- Choose by effort. From the Ring Road, the west side is about 19 km along Road 923, and the walk from the car park takes 20 to 30 minutes on a flat, paved path; you cannot get down to the water from there. The east-side turn-off is about 14 km along Road 923. At Klaustursel there are two lots: the one by the bridge adds a hike of 4.5 to 5 km each way (1.5 to 2 hours), and the further one along a dirt road shortens it to 2 to 2.5 km each way (45 to 60 minutes) but needs a high-clearance vehicle. Parking on both sides is 1,000 ISK (about 8 USD), paid through the Parka app using the QR code on site. The east side has no toilets. Arrive before 8 am in July and August, when the lots fill by mid-morning. There are no railings near the river, the current is strong and the water close to freezing: swimming is not recommended. Wear waterproof boots, stay on marked paths and keep away from moss. Between 1 May and 10 June, pink-footed geese nest in the area. Pair the canyon with Hengifoss and Seyðisfjörður; to drive in the east, see Iceland car rental. The Discover Cars page for Iceland is linked in the box above.
How to get there
Take the Ring Road (Route 1) from Akureyri or Egilsstaðir and turn onto Road 923. The final stretch is gravel.
Opening hours
Nearby
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