Stuðlagil Canyon, located in the Glacier Valley called Jokuldalur in East Iceland, with the largest number of basalt rock columns in Iceland and a stunning blue-green glacial river, Studlagil is one of Iceland's hidden gems.

Stuðlagil Canyon was formed thanks to the power of a very strong river running from the highlands towards the north of the island. The force and water level of this 90-mile (150-kilometer) long glacial river was so great that the area was considered dangerous. Therefore, only sheep lived in the area around the canyon for a long time.

The landscape of the region changed drastically in 2009, when a nearby hydroelectric power station called Karahnjukavirkjun came into service. Hálslón was created as a large reservoir of water in East Iceland.

The water level dropped and the river became less violent as the hydroelectric power station gathered the power of the water. This was part of a large-scale industrial project to provide electrical power to the aluminum factory in Reydarfjordur at the time. Now that the water has calmed down and its level has dropped, this natural beauty has received more attention and admiration from travelers and locals alike.

The basalt rock pillars you can see at Studlagil are of the same type as those on the famous Reynisfjara black sand beach near Vik. But it is Studlagil in Iceland that claims to have the most of these basalt columns. In Upper Jokuldalur there is a beautiful waterfall called Studlafoss (translated as Basalt Column Waterfall). If you're in the area and have time to explore more, this beautiful waterfall is definitely worth a visit.

The terrain around the canyon is still relatively untouched and as in most parts of Iceland the facilities are not in place, so visitors need to be aware of their surroundings and travel at their own risk. The terrain is loose in places, so hiking boots are recommended. Watch out for nesting birds, especially in the spring and summer. For example, pink-footed geese lay their eggs throughout the valley in May and June, so be extra careful during these times.

If you have time to travel east, it's worth incorporating a visit to Studlagil into your Iceland itinerary. You may want to visit some of Iceland's hotspots, such as the geothermal hot spring Blue Lagoon, the beautiful Seljalandsfoss waterfall, and the unique ice blue Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon, but Iceland is also worth exploring outside of the ordinary.

You can easily spend two to three hours in and around Studlagil, soaking up the beauty of the glacier gates and admiring this natural phenomenon.

The color of the water tends to change with the seasons. From March to July, the water has a beautiful blue-green color, but as meltwater from nearby glaciers rises towards the end of summer, the color changes to the light gray that is evident for glacial rivers.

In the winter, you can see the northern lights from remote areas like this, take advantage of the midnight sun in the summer, and get there late in the evening, when it's still bright.

HOW TO GET TO STUDLAGIL?

One of the reasons Studlagil remained relatively unknown for so long was that it could be difficult to get there. There are almost no signs or markings for this beautiful basalt canyon on the route.

The best way to get there is to drive north along the Ring Road (Route 1) from Egilsstadir, a small town in eastern Iceland. Head towards Guesthouse Skjoldolfsstadir. Keep crossing it until you reach turn 923.

After a short journey on road 923, you will start to see the entrance to the lower part of Jokuldalur and the Jokuldalsvegur turn. There you can see a beautiful waterfall of basalt columns called Studlafoss. If you have a four-wheel drive vehicle, you can go down Jökuldalsvegur, but we recommend that you park your car in the car park and walk the rest of the way. This way you can enjoy the scenery more, plus there is a white bridge accessible only by pedestrians.

This area is ideal if you enjoy hiking in nature and there are many beautiful hiking trails around the canyon. Indeed, the route to the basalt canyon is estimated to be about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers), so you'll have to take some brisk walking to reach Studlaberg's beautiful glacier gates.

If you're planning to hike in the area, be sure to log your travel plans to ensure you're safe in Iceland.