Studlagil Canyon looks like something straight out of a fantasy novel, and you’ll half expect to come across a couple of hobbits trying to deliver a ring as you stroll through this incredible place.
Whether you’re an avid hiker, a photography enthusiast, or just a nature lover, Studlagil is not to be missed and is a must on any Iceland trip itinerary. This article will tell you exactly why and how to prep and plan for this unforgettable journey.
Studlagil Canyon: An Introduction
Studlagil Canyon is quite a dramatic sight. The canyon is about 8 kilometers long with black hexagonal basalt cliffs that look more like art installations towering nearly 200 meters up in the air on both sides.
The Jökulsa River, Iceland’s longest glacial river that’s 150 kilometers long, also runs through the stretch of the canyon. This is another draw when it comes to the canyon, as you’ll see that the water is a bright, milky turquoise color in most tourist images.
How Studlagil Basalt Canyon was Formed
Basalt columns are nothing new here in Iceland. They are all part of being the Land of Fire and Ice and are remnants of past volcanic eruptions. It is one of these eruptions that started a domino effect with the creator (or culprit, depending on how you want to look at it) still residing in the canyon.
The volcanic eruption occurred millions of years ago, and with all that heat, the nearby glaciers and ice didn’t stand a chance, causing a major glacier flood. The powerful water carved a path through the earth, and even after the worst of the flooding subsided, the river remained to further carve away and deepen its pathway, turning it into a canyon over time.
The same river, Jökulsa, is found in the canyon today. The basalt cliffs are a culmination of volcanic eruptions over time, where lava slowly crept over the edges of the canyon, cooled down, and hardened to form the black rock with its intricate hexagonal designs.
The Discovery of Studlagil Canyon
While Studlagil Canyon’s formation was the result of the Land of Fire and Ice’s most extreme elements clashing, the discovery of Studlagil was no natural occurrence. In fact, there’s quite a bit of controversy surrounding it. At a time when the island required more electricity, the Karahnjukar Project was born.
This project ran between 2002 and 2009, during which a hydroelectric dam was built. Unfortunately, this required the Jökulsa River to be redirected through various underground tunnels to nearby reservoirs. As you may have suspected, this caused a dramatic drop in the river’s water levels over time and turned a massive, once raging, river into more of a calm stream.
Ironically, this drop in water levels revealed the incredible underwater world of Studlagil. What’s even more ironic is that the canyon’s discovery, although caused by the hydroelectric power plant, had nothing to do with anyone affiliated with the project. It was local sheep farmers who stumbled across this incredible sight completely by accident in 2016.
Where is Studlagil Canyon in Iceland?
Studlagil Canyon is located in the Highlands, a more remote region here in East Iceland. The nearest city is Egilsstadir (the so-called capital of East Iceland), 70 kilometers (43 miles) away. So, if you’re thinking of making the canyon a day outing, that’s where you should be kicking off your Studlagil adventure.
The capital city of Reykjavik is roughly 600 kilometers away, so don’t even entertain the thought of a day trip from there. But since Studlagil is a quick detour off the popular Ring Road route, many opt to have the canyon as a stop along their road trip. In that case, many begin their road trip adventure from the capital city.
Visiting Studlagil Canyon
Below, you will find all the information you need to visit this basalt column canyon in Iceland:
How Much Does it Cost to Visit Studlagil Ravine?
Entry to Studlagil Canyon is free, but you’ll need to pay a small parking fee charged per standard vehicle. The parking is paid via the Parka app, and all you need to do is scan the QR code found along the path to Studlagil (you are required to make payment within 24 hours). The cost is 1000 ISK ($7.25/€6.75).
How to Get to Studlagil Canyon in Iceland
They say there are two sides to any story, and this is certainly true for Studlagil. The canyon can be viewed from either the east or the west side. If you’re not sure which side to gun for; the east side is mainly the starting point of the long hike to and through the canyon and has absolutely no facilities whatsoever.
The west side is considered to be Stuðlagil Canyon’s main access point and Stuðlagil Canyon’s main viewpoint. It has a viewing platform as well as numerous other facilities such as a bathroom (you’ll need to pay to use it, though) and a food truck where you’ll find coffee and sodas, as well as light lunches and snack options, including hot dogs and ice cream.
If you’re planning on driving there yourself, you’re most likely to do it from the direction of Egilsstadir (whether as a day outing or part of a road trip), and the directions are pretty simple:
To the East Side (+/- a 16-minute drive)
- Get onto the Ring Road and head north.
- Follow the road and then turn onto Road 923.
- Drive past Hakonarstadi Farm.
- Turn left at the sign that reads Klaustursel Farm.
- Park in the parking lot next to the white bridge.
To the West Side (+/- a 20-minute drive)
- Get onto the Ring Road and head north.
- Follow the road and then turn onto Road 923.
- Drive past Hakonarstadi Farm.
- When you see Farm Grund, you’ve reached the viewpoint.
- Park in the parking lot and enjoy your viewing.
Hiking Studlagil Canyon
As mentioned, the west side is not the place to go if you’re an avid hiker. The longest hike you’ll find there is the 245 metal steps you need to take to get down to the viewing platform. So, if it’s a proper hike you’re after, you’ll need to head over to the east side.
There are many reasons to do the Stuðlagil Canyon hike. But one that stands out is the breathtaking Stuðlafoss Waterfall that greets hikers about 30 minutes into the trail. The trail is an out-and-back trail, 9.7 kilometers long, and is considered moderately challenging (mostly because of some steep(ish) inclines at the beginning and the way the trail rollercoasters and winds its way to and along the canyon. But for the most part, this hike is a pretty leisurely stroll offering incredible views.
The Best Time to Visit Studlagil
Studlagil Canyon is open to the public all year round, so it will be up to you to decide when to visit. You’ll need to take the following factors into account when figuring out when the best time for you to visit will be:
Extreme Winter Conditions
Although Iceland can be absolutely mesmerizing during the colder months of the year as the landscape turns into a breathtaking winter wonderland, we would not recommend visiting Stuðlagil Canyon during the winter.
It will be extremely cold, and you’ll need to contend with some pretty extreme weather elements, making the hiking trail on the east side inaccessible due to snow (the worst-case scenario) or incredibly slippery due to ice (the best-case scenario). The west side won’t be much better since those icy metal steps look a lot like a Final Destination movie moment waiting to happen.
Nice Weather and Plenty of Daylight Hours
Since Studlagil Canyon is an outdoor adventure, most recommend coming during the warmer months of the year when the weather is nice and mild, the temperatures are at their highest, and you’ll have plenty of daylight hours for hiking and exploring. If that sounds good, May to September (spring and summer in Iceland) will be the best time for you to visit Studlagil.
Birdwatching Season
If you’re an avid birdwatcher, the best time to visit Studlagil Canyon becomes even more defined. While you’ll generally find all sorts of birds in the canyon during the warmer months of the year, May to June is prime birdwatching season. This is due to all sorts of migratory and nesting birds (such as the Pink-footed Goose) lining the cliffs and calling the canyon home.
The Bright Turquoise Water
As we already mentioned, the bright turquoise water running through the canyon is a major tourist draw. But what many don’t know is that the water doesn’t always look like this. The bright color is restricted to when the water levels are low. The water becomes a grey or brown color when:
- We’ve had lots of rain.
- There’s been an increase in the glacial meltwater.
- The plant runs water through the dam (usually from late August to early September).
Helpful Tips for Visiting Studlagil Canyon
If this is your first time visiting Studlagil Canyon, you’ll find the following tips and advice very helpful:
- Don’t just blindly trust the GPS. Remember, there are two sides to Studlagil, so Google distinguishes between them. When entering Studlagil Canyon as a destination, you will be taken to the main access point on the west side. And when you enter Studlagil Canyon East Side Parking, you’ll be taken to the east side for your hiking adventure.
- While the Ring Road is a paved and well-maintained road, some of the gravel roads surrounding Studlagil, some of which you’ll need to drive to get to the canyon, can get pretty rough. So, even though these are not marked 4x4 trails or F-roads, which legally require using 4x4 vehicles, using a 4x4 vehicle anyway is highly recommended.
- Ensure you’re wearing waterproof clothing and you’ve packed a raincoat. This will not just keep you dry if it starts to rain, but will keep you dry from the canyon itself (there’s a river running through it, remember?) as well as the mist and spray from the Stuðlafoss Waterfall. One thing we would like to urge visitors to double-check is whether their clothing says waterproof or water-resistant because the latter is a bit of a gimmick and doesn’t work very well.
- Wear sturdy, waterproof hiking boots with good grip. Whether you’re planning on hiking or just exploring the canyon via its west side, the area is bound to be wet and muddy, making the rocks around the canyon, especially the river, very slippery.
- Please don’t ever try to cross the river. Even though the river looks fairly shallow and calm most of the time, the currents underneath the surface can still be incredibly strong, and being dragged down a river is definitely not the way you want to explore Studlagil Canyon.
Other Things to See and Do Near Studlagil Canyon
Studlagil Canyon is merely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to interesting things to see and do in the area. Consider adding the following to your trip itinerary as well:
- Soak in the Vök Baths.
- Take a dip in the Laugarvellir Hot Spring (and its warm water waterfall!).
- Visit the East Iceland Heritage Museum.
- Explore the Highlands via a horseback riding tour.
- Visit the picturesque little town of Seydisfjördur.
Where to Stay Near Studlagil Canyon
If you would like to extend your exploration of the area or just make it one of the overnight stops on your road trip, the following accommodation options near Studlagil come highly recommended:
Make Your Studlagil Canyon Adventure the Most Convenient and Affordable with a Motorhome
As you can see from the above, one of the go-to accommodation options is Studlagil Campground. No other accommodation will be as affordable (especially if you’ve bought a Camping Card) or get you as close to the action as a camping spot there.
That’s why, if you’re planning on making the canyon a stop along a Ring Road road trip, we highly recommend that you rent a campervan in Iceland and take advantage of all the convenience and affordability benefits it brings. Now, you can cruise your way all around the island and get a front-row seat to many of our main attractions, like Studlagil Canyon, without breaking the bank.
