When the construction of Kárahnjúkar Hydro Dam was finished 2009, Stuðlagil (Studlagil) Canyon became fully visible.
The water level in the river Jökla, that runs through the canyon, dropped and amazing basalt columns have since become one of the most popular tourist attractions in eastern Iceland.
The landowners were still building tourist infrastructure in 2024.
I stayed at the simple campground on the northern side of the river.
A German couple — world travellers — in a camper van, offered me lamb dinner with locally picked mushrooms. And wine! It was my best meal in Iceland. 😀
Once the tourists were gone in the evening, I climbed down a long set of stairs to have the northern viewing platform all to myself.
Next morning, I cycled over to the southern side of the river. It’s the better experience. Go to both sides, if you can.
It is known for its unusual amount of large columnar basalt rock formations and the turquoise coloured river that runs through it.
The canyon also has an interesting story as it became an unexpected tourist sensation in 2016 after Einar Páll Svavarsson published an article in August of that year on hiticeland.com with spectacular photos.
A year later Einar also wrote an article about Stuðlagil in WOW air magazine in June 2017 and after that the canyon became a popular tourist destination.
It’s an easy detour off the Highway 1 Ring Road. About a 19km/11.8mi sidetrip along road 923. Mostly paved in 2024.
All hikers plan, one day, to travel to southern Patagonia.
Towers of Paine photos entice.
And anyone who hikes Paine, should also hike Fitz Roy, Argentina.
Hikers have a choice to base themselves out of Puerto Natales, Chile or El Calafate, Argentina. Though you may find yourself stopping in both, El Calafate is the better choice.
El Calafate is a small town in Patagonia, Argentina. …
… an important tourist destination as the hub to visit different parts of the Los Glaciares National Park, including the Perito Moreno Glacier (one of the most visited in the world) and the Cerro Chaltén and Cerro Torre.
… In the last census 6,143 permanent residents were counted
You could argue that El Chaltén, Argentina’s “national trekking capital“, about 220km from El Calafate, is an even better base town.
On the other hand, there are large grocery stores like Diarco in El Calafate. The shops in Chaltén in 2019 were still very limited. We couldn’t get instant mashed potatoes in Chaltén, for example. Pick up your provisions in Calafate.
And Calafate is about half way between Paine and Fitz Roy.
These are the most famous, but there are many more “best hikes” in the Patagonian Andes. Ground transportation is the biggest challenge in this part of the world.
width 25 metres (82 feet) and drop of 60 m (200 ft).
The Skógafoss Waterfall hike (also called the Skógá Trail or Waterfall Way) is one of Iceland’s most spectacular easy walks. Perhaps 25 waterfalls and spectacular canyons.
This trail starts at massive Skógafoss and follows the Skógá River upstream for 8 km (5 miles). If you reach the bridge, I’d say you’ve gone too far. 😀
In fact, hike as far as you want. Turn back when you like.
Elevation Gain:500 meters
I waited about 5 days for a good weather window — and it was worth it. I even had some sunshine.
I hiked the waterfalls up and down twice over 3 days. Going early morning and late evening to minimize the number of other hikers on the trail.
The trailhead is at Skógar on the Ring Road (highway 1). There is a campground and hotels. Book well in advance.
Skógafoss is also the start / finish of the challenging Fimmvörðuháls trail which ends at Thórsmörk. In good weather you can do the entire 22 kilometres (14 mi), 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) of climbing in a long day. It crosses a glacier between two recently active volcanoes — which you can also climb.
Of course Thórsmörk is the start / finish of the most famous hike in Iceland, the Laugavegur. If you have 4-6 days, the BEST hike is Landmannalaugar to Skógar. It includes the The Skógafoss Waterfall Way, connecting Fimmvörðuháls and Laugavegur.
besthike.com 