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Studlagil | How to Visit the Basalt Canyon in Iceland
Iceland is geologically incredible, difficult to describe and dimension, with places that seem taken from another planet every few kilometers. One of them is the famous Studlagil canyon formed by enormous basalt columns located to the east of the island. If you make a complete route to Ring Road You should add this stop, it's one of our favorites.
For me an essential region of Austurland, because it is different from everything else. Although if you have already seen other formations of basaltic columns and you are very short on time, I would prioritize other attractions.
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How to get to Studlagil cannon and where appearedcar
The Canon Studlagil It's located in the upper part of the Jökuldalur valley, about 72 km from Egilsstaðir, the capital of East Iceland, the city where we lived. It's easily accessible from the Ring Road (carretera 1) taking the detour towards the carretera 923a gravel track in very good condition, about 15 km long. Even so, it is important check the status of the carretera in road.is, especially in winter, as it may be closed due to snow accumulation.
💡 Council for those who do not go in summer; bring cramponsbecause the area around the canyon can be completely frozen and it's dangerous.
Before you arrive, don't forget to stop at Rjúkandafossa beautiful waterfall on the edge of the carIt's short. You won't take more than 15 minutes to watch it, and for us, it's worth it.
From which side to see Studlagil?
The canyon can be visited from both sides of the river., but the experience changes quite a bit:
- West side (elevated viewpoint)Access is direct by car and doesn't require walking. From here, you'll see the canyon from above, although much further away.
👉 Important: if you go to this viewpoint, don't take the first detour, but the next one, about 4 km further onAt that point you will also find a small campsite. - East Side (our favorite): allows you to walk to the base of the canyon and see the spectacular basalt columns up close.
You have to take the first detour to the canyoncross a bridge and parkcar at the first parking lot (ideal for car)car(vans). If you're going by car or van, you can move forward 2 km further to the second parking lot, which is closer to the trail.
All Parking is free And there's room for plenty of vehicles. I've marked all three on the map below:
How to get to Studlagil
| Point of departure | Distance (one way) | Estimated time | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parking 2 (the closest) | 2,6 km | 60 -70 minutes | Very easy |
| Parking 1 (behind the bridge) | 5 km | +1 hrs | Easy |
| West Lookout Parking | 5 min (stairs) | No walk |
Route from the east side of Studlagil Canyon
We always park in the 2 car park, the closest to the trail. If you park in the previous one (the 1 car park, just after the bridge), the path is almost the same, only you will have to add about 2,4 km more round trip, which supposes about 30 extra minutes of walking.
On the other hand, if you decide to go to the west side lookout, there is no hiking trail. You can only go down a few metal stairs to a platform overlooking the canyon in the distance. Personally, I would only recommend this option if someone in the group can't walk far.
From the 2 car park, the walk to the canyon is very simple. They are 2,6 km one way that are made in a few 30-35 minutes At a leisurely pace. The trail is in very good condition, practically flat, with minimal elevation gain. Even the final descent toward the river is very gentle. It's a perfect route for children or if you're not used to walking, as the path is wide and safe.
What to see along the route
A few meters from the start of the trail, you will pass by Studlafoss, a waterfall that cascades over a wall of basalt columns. It's not just a stopover: it's a tall, powerful and spectacular waterfall, which anywhere else in the world would be the star of the route.
At the end of the tour you will reach the heart of the Studlagil cannon, where you can enjoy the most impressive views. From above, the frontal image of the basalt column walls It's impressive. And the best part is that you'll be right above them: you can carefully climb down the side, jumping from hexagon to hexagon, until reaching the base of the canyon.
The lower part may be muddy or waterlogged, but they have placed stones to make the passage easier. From there you get the Studlagil's most famous perspective, with the columns closing in on both sides and the Jökla River in between. There is a installed rope to help you get through the last stretch if you need it.
???? Photographic tipIf you go down and the person taking the photo stays on the opposite side of the stream, you will get the iconic image with columns on both sides. And if you go in the morning or when the sun is high, you'll see even more illuminated columns.
⚠️ Important: : no matter how many photos you've seen of people bathing or crossing to the other shore, I don't recommend doing it.The waters of the Jökla are cold and dangerous, and crossing or swimming is prohibited for safety reasons.
When you're done marveling at the scenery (and filling your camera with photos), it's time to go back. along the same path to the parking lot.
How the were formed basalt columns in Studlagil
If you are curious by nature, this section interests you, really when you see the columns the first thing you think is that they look like they were molded by hand. But no, it's all a matter of nature. They are formed as a result of an eruption of lava with a high content of basaltic rock in it. LThe lava flows and slowly cools while contracting, cracking into these vertical columns, normally hexagonal in shape, although there are also sites with octagonal shapes.
The wider columns are because it has taken longer to cool so the cracks are further apart and in the narrower ones the process was faster.
Other basalt formations in Iceland
The intense volcanic activity of Iceland This results in basalt columns being found all over the island. Although they can also be seen in other parts of the world, such as the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland., Iceland is where they are most abundant.
Some of the places where you can appreciate this geological phenomenon in Iceland are;
- Kálfshamarsvík (north from Iceland)
- Gerðuberg (west – peninsula Snaefellsness)
- Dettifoss to Selfoss trail (north from Iceland)
- Reynisfjara Beach (on from Iceland)
- Svartifoss waterfall (National Park of Vatnajökull)
Where to sleep near the Studlagil cannon
The nearest town to Studlagil Canyon is Egilsstadir where there is plenty of accommodation available as it is the capital of the region. If you go on a good furgo camper, carcarWhether you're traveling by car or camping, I recommend staying at their municipal campsite; we think it's one of the best. campings from all over Iceland.
If you are staying in hotels the best options are the Guesthouse Vinland, where you will have everything you need for a very good price, or the Guesthouse Lyngasa little more carBut right in the city center and near the Askur pizzeria, one of my favorites in Iceland.
Hi! If we go by car, is it better to leave it in number 2? To go down to the views of the river, how long does it take to go down? 🙂
Thank you very much!
Alba
Hello alba,
It will depend somewhat on the time of year, the condition of the carConsider the route and whether you're worried about driving on dirt roads. With that in mind, we recommend continuing to the second parking area whenever possible, as it's much closer to the canyon. From the second parking area, it's a 20-30 minute walk; from the first, it's about an hour.
Thanks for your comment, greetings!
Hi!
Is it advisable to access parking lot 2 with a car that is not 4×4?
Thank you!
Lidia
Hi Lidia,
No problem, we have gone with all kinds of cars and we have always managed to get there. If you rent a small car, just drive a little slower and be careful with the potholes, but you will get there safely.
Enjoy!
Hello again,
So, is the road OK to be able to do it with a car that is not 4×4? We have read everything, and we are afraid that we will end up scratching, leaving the underbody… or whatever on the car and you already know that even if it is fully comprehensive… there are things that are not covered.
Thank you!
Lidia
Hi Lidia,
We've driven there in four or five different cars, even a tiny Hyundai i10, and we've never had any problems; you just have to drive carefully. If you're unsure, you can parkcar before crossing the bridge and walking the last stretch. You'll see that many people prefer to parkcar there.
All the best
Hi!
Is it advisable to access parking lot 2 with a car other than 4X4?
Thank you!
Lidia