Studlagil (Stuðlagil) Canyon is located in northeastern Iceland in the Jökuldalur glacial valley.
In good weather its basalt columns of rock, cut through by a beautiful wild river, are extremely photogenic. From the photos online you would take it for one of the island’s hidden treasures – an impenetrable fortress of wild nature and hexagonal rock, breathtaking, showing the power of nature.
Unfortunately (?) nowadays the canyon is no longer so hidden. All or almost all tourists visiting the island know about it, and it’s also much easier to get to than it used to be. And, also unfortunately, it is not quite such a gem. The canyon is very nice, but it can nevertheless disappoint. Because in the online photos (including the one in the header of our article…) the canyon looks like a sky-high fortress, while in reality it is rather small, and the beautiful photos bend reality a lot…
There are several scenic hiking trails running around the canyon. Remember, however, that the terrain is still relatively rough, the paths are sometimes steep, and the stones and rocks can be very slippery. Be sure to wear good shoes while walking and take extra caution.
When traveling to Stuðlagil in spring and early summer, watch out for nesting birds. From May 1 to June 10 pink-footed geese nest here in numbers, so it is important to stay on the marked trails (source: Visit East Iceland).
You can also see basalt rock columns, for example, at Reynisfjara or at Borgarvirki, where they are much more easily accessible. However, it is in Studlagil where they certainly look the most beautiful.
How to get to Studlagil Canyon
Studlagil canyon – west (left) vs east (right)
Studlagil western bank – the easy side
The key to understanding all the access options is road 923, which runs along the north/west side of the canyon.
This is not an F-road (i.e. not a mountain road) and, although it is gravel, it is open to all cars all year round. It starts as a clearly marked turn south off Road 1; from there it is about 19 km (12 miles) of gravel to the Grund farm. You will find a parking lot and restrooms there, and a marked path to the observation platforms on the west rim of the canyon. The walk along the path takes about 5 minutes.
Map: Studlagil canyon access – click to open the interactive map.
For years this was simply not the place to see the canyon from, because there was no way down to the water here. That has changed: marked trails and steps now lead from the platforms down to the canyon floor (Visit East Iceland). Even so, the classic view – the wall of columns rising over the riverbed, with room to walk along the water – belongs to the eastern / southern bank. And that access is a bit more complicated.
Studlagil eastern bank – the best views
To get to the canyon from the eastern side (the attractive one) you start the same. Take Road 1 and turn off onto road 923 (a clear red ‘Studlagil’ sign). Follow the road to the bridge by the Klaustursel farm (if you’re coming from the Askja side, take the F910 road, which brings you out onto 923).
There you will find a parking lot, where you must leave the car if the weather conditions are bad (mud, snow) and you are not driving a 4×4. Follow the road and then the trail southwest for about 5 km (3 miles). It’s an easy hike, but at least 1 hour each way, likely 1.5.
Studlagil canyon access map
If you’re driving a 4×4 car, or if the weather is dry and the roads are not soggy or snowy, then you can cross the bridge and continue southwest on the dirt road. It’s a ‘poorly maintained’ gravel road, but it is not an F-road, so driving it breaks no rental company’s rules. It’s not steep either, and so in good, dry conditions the 4-wheel drive is not really necessary, but higher suspension and stronger tires are really advisable. You can drive it in any car, but you’d have to be careful not to damage the undercarriage or the wheels/tires.
After about 2.5 km (1.6 miles) you will reach another parking lot, by the Stuðlafoss waterfall. Leave your car there and cover the remaining 2.5 km (1.6 miles) on foot. This cuts your hiking by half, more or less.
The parking lot on the east (south) side is reached by an off-road dirt road, which is not cleared of snow, and during rainfall puddles and mud form on it. A 4×4 car can handle it without trouble, but if you are driving a car without 4-wheel drive – exercise heightened caution.
