Studlagil Canyon & Scenic Drive

OVERVIEW

Behold a deep sheer-walled canyon that volcanoes and glaciers have shaped over the eons that amazingly was completely unknown until 2009. How could a natural wonder so majestic and magnificent go unnoticed for so long? It wasn’t until a hydroelectric project lowered the volume of water in the Jökulsá River that flows through Stuðlagil Canyon that this stunning natural phenomenon was exposed. The source of the river is glacial and the water so brilliantly blue-green that it looks otherworldly. The towering volcanic basalt columns that line the canyon only add to the surreal setting. You will gaze out over the gorge from viewing platforms, stairs and a network of paths, giving you a look from several different vantage points. The scenery on the way to and from Stuðlagil Canyon is breathtaking as well. You will travel through the picturesque Fjarðarheiði mountain pass, dense conifer forests and farm-dotted valleys that epitomize Icelandic rural life.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive through a primeval volcanic landscape where nature reigns supreme.
• Behold the depths of stunning Stuðlagil Canyon from various vantage points.
• Be awed by the vertical basalt columns lining the canyon and the river at the bottom.
• Learn about the canyon’s geological formation and how the canyon was discovered.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.