Stuðlagil Canyon & East Iceland

Why Stuðlagil is a relatively new addition to most itineraries

Stuðlagil Canyon wasn't easily accessible until a hydroelectric dam upstream reduced the Jökla river's water level and sediment load, revealing walls of striking hexagonal basalt columns that had previously been mostly submerged, and turning the water a vivid turquoise-blue rarely seen on this scale in Iceland. It's a genuinely recent addition to the country's list of major natural sights — many longtime visitors to Iceland have never seen it, simply because it wasn't a viable stop on their trip.

Getting there and viewing options

The canyon has two viewing approaches on opposite sides of the river, and they offer meaningfully different experiences:

• The east side (via a marked trail from a car park) leads down to a platform close to the water, giving the classic close-up view of the basalt columns and turquoise river that most photos show.
• The west side offers a higher, more distant overlook — less dramatic up close, but useful if the east-side path is muddy, crowded, or you're short on time.

Getting between the two sides requires driving around, not walking across, so decide in advance which view matters more for your visit.

How far it is and how to plan around it

Stuðlagil sits inland from Egilsstaðir, East Iceland's main town, roughly 6.5–7 hours from Reykjavik by the most direct route — meaning it's realistically only visited as part of a longer Ring Road loop rather than a dedicated trip from the capital. Most visitors see it on the same day as exploring the wider Eastfjords region.

The wider Eastfjords region

Beyond Stuðlagil itself, East Iceland is the quietest stretch of the Ring Road — small fishing villages like Seyðisfjörður (reached via a dramatic mountain pass, and known for its colorful main street and arts scene) and Djúpivogur offer a genuinely different pace from the busier Southwest. Vök Baths, a geothermal spa built partly on floating platforms on Lake Urriðavatn near Egilsstaðir, makes a good stop if you want a quieter, less crowded alternative to the Blue Lagoon on this side of the country.

Planning tip

If you're doing a full Ring Road trip, Stuðlagil and the wider Eastfjords fit naturally between the Southeast (Jökulsárlón) and North Iceland (Akureyri, Mývatn) legs of the loop — budget at least a half-day for the canyon detour alone, given the drive time in from the main road.