This is one you are sure to have seen on Instagram and Facebook. One of the most famous canyons in Iceland, the Studlagil Canyon hike is one the true must visit spots for your trip to Iceland. Located on the north eastern part of the Ring Road. The canyon features a glacial stream carving its way through a basalt canyon. Culminating in a narrow canyon that has you standing below towing columns on both sides of you. Truly a special place to visit. So below are my Studlagil Canyon hiking tips to make sure your tip is as perfect as possible.
Studlagil Canyon Hike – Tips and Info – Stuðlagil Canyon Iceland
AllTrails Link: Click Here
Type: Out and Back
Distance: 5.7 Miles / 9.1 Kilometers
Elevation Gain: 500+ Feet / 150+ Meters
Studlagil Canyon Hike Tips
- The parking lot is accessible for all vehicles, no 4×4 needed.
- AllTrails has you parking at the first (overflow) parking lot before the bridge.
- There is a parking lot over the bridge, along the dirt road roughly a mile closer to the canyon.
- There are no restrooms at the parking lots.
- The hike is along a dirt country road.
- There are a few fences on the road, these are to keep the sheep in. Please go through, and make sure to close them behind you.
- Get there early. This is an incredibly popular spot and the famous photo in the narrow canyon is one at a time. So it can form a long line.
- The water level changes based on the season.
- In spring there is a really cool basalt waterfall right next to the second parking lot.
- There are a couple areas to hike in the canyon away from the most popular spot.
Photos and Final Thoughts
The Studlagil Canyon hike is one of Iceland’s most popular for a reason. The trail is easy enough for almost anyone to walk on. And the views and rock formations are absolutely incredible. There is something special about the basalt columns and the way they bend over time.
One of the most important tips I can give you is to get there early. The popular Instagram spot at the narrow part of the canyon is one at a time. So the later you get there the more likely there will be a que to take a photo. When we were there, by around 9am there was already a multi-person line. With dozens of people making their way down the trail when we were leaving.
Secondly is that there are two parking lots. Alltrail will direct you to the far lot located by the bridge. There is one roughly 1 mile further down the dirt road. If the weather is good I recommend going to this second lot. And saving yourselves 2 miles of road walking.
Overall I highly recommend adding this short hike to your trip.
