Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked by Global Adventurer.
The walk
Cross Jökla on the footbridge beside the road bridge at Klaustursel. Follow the farm track south-west up the valley for about 2 km to the upper car park, then the path past Stuðlafoss, which falls over its own wall of dark columns. Cross a side stream and follow the rim path, with the river on your right. At the head of the main column walls, steep, rough steps with ropes in places lead down to the canyon floor. Return the same way.
It is 9.4 km there and back with 136 m of ascent; allow about 2½ hours. The grade is Easy: a farm track and paths, with a short, steep descent at the end.
Never wade or swim: the river is near freezing and fast even when it looks calm. In late summer or autumn the Hálslón reservoir upstream overflows and the river turns grey, high and fast; then don't linger on the canyon floor. Pink-footed geese nest here from 1 May to 10 June, so keep to the path. The platforms at Grund, on the west bank, are a separate visit.
Parking on the east side is collected by Parka at 1,000 ISK a day for a car. Road 923 runs about 14 km from the Ring Road; part of it is being rebuilt until 2027, so expect gravel and roadworks. There is no bus.
Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.
Good to know
- Stuðlagil is a canyon of tall, regular basalt columns cut by the glacial river Jökla in Jökuldalur
- The columns came into view after the Kárahnjúkar dam upstream took most of the river's water and silt
- Stuðlafoss, on the way, falls over its own wall of dark columns
- From the east bank you can walk down to the river among the columns; the platforms on the west bank look across from above
Getting there
Start: Car park by the Klaustursel bridge. 65.18924, -15.25027
Directions to the start
Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line and figures come from OpenStreetMap and our own checks; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.