Stuðlagil Canyon Hiking Tour

This Stuðlagil canyon hiking tour takes you to one of East Iceland's most photographed spots: a deep canyon lined with tall basalt columns above a bright turquoise river, reached on foot with a local guide.

• Basalt columns rising straight out of the river at Stuðlagil canyon
• A guided hike with a local who knows the trail and its history
• Views over the Jökuldalur river valley in East Iceland
• A quieter part of Iceland, away from the busiest tourist routes
• Suited to visitors who enjoy walking and dramatic landscapes

Your day, stop by stop

2Walk to Stuðlagil canyonA guided hike along the valley to the canyon rim.

Stuðlagil is a canyon of tightly packed hexagonal basalt columns on the Jökla river, in the upper Jökuldalur valley in East Iceland. Most of the columns used to be hidden under grey glacial floodwater. After the Kárahnjúkar hydropower project diverted much of the river, the water level dropped and the columns came into view, with a blue-green river running between them. The shortest way to see it is from the viewing platforms on the west side, about 250 metres from the car park. The path follows the Jökla river valley, with your guide pointing out the landscape and the story behind the canyon's dramatic colour change.

Walking · several kilometres on trail, moderate effort

Read our Stuðlagil Canyon guide →

3At the canyonTime to take in the basalt columns and turquoise water.

Time to take in the basalt columns and the blue-green water. Tall hexagonal basalt columns line both sides of the gorge, with the river running far below. The river used to run grey with glacial silt, until a hydroelectric dam upstream cut its flow, and it can turn grey-brown again when the dam overflows, most often from early August to October.

Time here · time to explore and take photos

About the Stuðlagil canyon hiking tour

Stuðlagil canyon is a deep gorge in the Jökuldalur valley, East Iceland, lined with tall hexagonal basalt columns rising out of the Jökla river. The river used to run grey with glacial silt, but after a hydroelectric dam upstream cut its flow, the water cleared to the bright blue-green it's known for today. It's one of the more striking landscapes in Iceland and, because it takes some effort to reach, still far quieter than the Golden Circle or South Coast.

This tour is on foot, with a local guide who sets the pace and points out the geology and history of the valley along the way. Expect real walking rather than a short stroll: bring proper footwear and a rain layer, as East Iceland weather can turn quickly even in summer.

The tour runs in the summer season, when the trails are clear of snow and ice. Outside that window, the paths to the canyon rim can be difficult or closed, which is why this tour doesn't run all year.

Questions people ask