Column Height
Up to 25+ m
Some of Iceland's tallest and most regular hexagonal basalt columns line the canyon walls.
Stuðlagil: Basalt Column Canyon in East Iceland
Tall hexagonal basalt columns and turquoise glacial water in an East Iceland canyon
Location
East Iceland
Jökuldalur valley, off Route 923
Quick Answer
Stuðlagil’s basalt columns line Jökla in East Iceland. Choose the Grund viewing platforms or the Klaustursel hiking approach before setting your walking budget.
Stuðlagil Canyon is a relatively recent discovery for visitors. In the Jökuldalur valley of East Iceland, the canyon's walls are lined with thousands of regular hexagonal basalt columns, some over 25 meters tall. The columns were largely concealed until 2009, when the Kárahnjúkar hydropower project diverted much of the Jökla river's flow. Water levels fell and the basalt beneath was exposed. The turquoise pools against the dark geometric stone have made Stuðlagil one of Iceland's most photographed geological formations.
Sources and page update
Updated: 2026-09-10
This guide is a travel-planning summary, not emergency guidance. Conditions in Iceland can change quickly; check official alerts, roads, and weather before driving, hiking, or booking around volatile conditions.
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Official sources to check
Access Trails
2 routes
West bank (2 km, overlook) and east bank (3.5 km, river-level access) trails.
Distance from Egilsstaðir
~75 km
About a 1-hour drive from East Iceland's largest town via Route 1 and Route 923.
What to Expect
Hexagonal Basalt Walls
The canyon walls feature thousands of tightly packed hexagonal basalt columns, some of the tallest and most geometrically regular in Iceland.
Turquoise Glacial Water
The Jökla river's glacial rock flour gives the water a vivid turquoise color that stands out against the dark basalt, especially in late summer.
West Bank Overlook Trail
The shorter west bank trail leads to a viewpoint above the canyon with views down into the columnar gorge.
East Bank River-Level Access
Use marked trails and viewing platforms to see the columns. Do not walk along the unstable riverbank or enter the water.
Recently Revealed Formation
Most of the columns were hidden underwater until 2009, when the Kárahnjúkar dam project lowered the river.
Remote East Iceland Setting
The canyon is remote by Icelandic standards and draws fewer crowds than South Iceland attractions.
Getting There
Choose between the observation-platform approach at Grund and the hiking approach via Klaustursel. Visit Austurland lists a roughly 10 km return walk from the bridge parking or 5 km return from the parking by Stuðlafoss. Use the actual parking name when navigating from Route 923; Gljúfrastofa is not a Stuðlagil trailhead.
Best Time to Visit
The river’s appearance changes with flow and reservoir overflow. Visit Austurland says overflow is most common from August to October, so a late-summer visit does not guarantee turquoise water. Choose the visit for the basalt landscape and check current route conditions before departure.
SafeTravel’s canyon guidance says to stay out of the water at all times and avoid the slippery, unstable riverbank. The regional route guide distinguishes the parking approaches; our Stuðlagil visit guide compares them.
Planning help
Stuðlagil Canyon FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
Why is the water at Stuðlagil Canyon so blue?
The turquoise-blue color of the Jökla river at Stuðlagil comes from glacial sediment (rock flour) carried from the Vatnajökull ice cap. After the Kárahnjúkar hydropower dam diverted much of the river's flow in 2009, water levels dropped significantly. This revealed the basalt columns and left calmer, more vividly colored pools.
Which trail should I take to Stuðlagil Canyon?
Choose between the observation-platform approach at Grund and the hiking approach via Klaustursel. Visit Austurland lists a roughly 10 km return walk from the bridge parking or 5 km return from the parking by Stuðlafoss. Use the actual parking name when navigating from Route 923; Gljúfrastofa is not a Stuðlagil trailhead.
When is the best time to see the blue water at Stuðlagil?
The turquoise water is most vivid from mid-July through September, when glacial meltwater conditions are optimal and water levels are relatively low. In spring and early summer, snowmelt can raise water levels and reduce visibility. Overcast days can intensify the blue color in photographs.
Is Stuðlagil Canyon accessible in winter?
Access is difficult in winter as the gravel roads leading to both trailheads may be impassable due to snow. The east bank farm road typically closes in late autumn. If conditions allow, the west bank trail from Route 1 may still be reachable, but ice on the trail makes the steep sections dangerous without proper gear.
Country reference: Iceland statistics.