Studlagil canyon
Studlagil canyon
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Studlagil canyon
The area
Address
Reach out directly
See what travellers are saying
- Avux99Cheshire, United Kingdom1,734 contributionsStudlagil CanyonTo clarify, the main access to the Canyon is on its West side as it has the appropriate infrastructure in place for visitors: A constructed viewing platform & WC access. However, if you want a BETTER view, you need to access the Canyon from the other side of the river. You have two parking choices on ‘the other’ side. 1. Park at the 1908 bridge, but you are left with a longer walk from there. or 2. After driving over the 1908 bridge, turn right immediately & continue down the very bumpy road to ‘Parkplatz Klaustrusel’ on Google Maps. This leaves the shortest possible walk to the Canyon on the East side, it’s still well over a mile to the Canyon from here though. It is a very bumpy road to Parkplatz Klaustrusel & most do it in 4x4s. I had fair weather though & did it in a small 2wd, so it is possible if driving with care :) The Canyon is spellbinding & well worth the effort to reach it. It has only been revealed in all its current glory since 2007 when the river dropped by 8 meters when a reservoir was created upstream.Visited September 2023Travelled soloWritten September 11, 2023
- imthirstysoulSingapore, Singapore61 contributionsWater in May is not green.The hike from the farm is around 6 -7km round trip on flat terrain. The basalt columns with the river flowing through it is spectacular. I would not miss this if you gave time. Getting down to the canyon floor requires some little bit of climbing. Quite easy even for a casual walker like me.Visited May 2023Travelled with familyWritten September 22, 2023
- Glen EGolden, Canada505 contributions5 km round trip in worth the effortWe went to the eastern viewpoint to get the better perspective but the walk in is long. An amazing canyon of basalt column walls and serpentine water. Even the first waterfall on the way in with its basalt column sides is spectacular. The other bank gets you closer to the main canyon in your car but with an inferior view and lots of stairs.Visited June 2024Travelled with friendsWritten June 5, 2024
- LisaMNUSASaint Paul, Minnesota1,055 contributionsAmazing waterfalls and canyonWe parked in the paid parking lot on the east side, right next to the waterfall. The waterfall was spectacular against the basalt columns. We walked to the canyon to see the basalt canyon wall and the tranquil water at the bottom. The round trip is about 5 miles.Visited June 2024Travelled with familyWritten July 3, 2024
- eichsttlColorado Springs, Colorado420 contributionsUnique CanyonMy wife and I parked at the lower parking area (East side of the River). Parking cost 1000 IK. It was a 1.6 mile walk to the canyon. The vertical basalt columns on the canyon walls are very unique. The river is a spectacular blueish green color. The walk to the canyon has some up and down but is mostly flat and winds thru pastures of sheep. The road to the canyon is rough in spots but is in good shape.Visited September 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten September 3, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
95 reviews
Excellent
65
Very good
22
Average
3
Poor
4
Terrible
1
Becky B
Decatur, GA26 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
As others stated, there are several ways to do the canyon. If you don’t like bumpy roads or walking, stay straight and park near overlook on west side. You can climb downstairs to overlook canyon but don’t get very close. We chose to turn left the sign, go down to the first parking lot, cross bridge and then drive over very bumpy road (need 4x4) to second parking lot. The drive from ring road to second parking lot is about 15 minutes. The drive from first parking lot to the second parking lot saves you a long boring walk. The walk from the second parking lot to the canyon is about 20-30 minutes (one way, we walk fast). The canyon view is worth it though! The canyon walls are gorgeous and the green water is brilliant. Definitely worth the detour off the ring road! Walk was mostly flat and easy for our family with young kids.
Written June 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
eichsttl
Colorado Springs, CO420 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
My wife and I parked at the lower parking area (East side of the River). Parking cost 1000 IK. It was a 1.6 mile walk to the canyon. The vertical basalt columns on the canyon walls are very unique. The river is a spectacular blueish green color. The walk to the canyon has some up and down but is mostly flat and winds thru pastures of sheep. The road to the canyon is rough in spots but is in good shape.
Written September 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marts03
Poughkeepsie, NY95 contributions
Mar 2022
A beautiful canyon with interesting column stones. The steps and platform (over the river itself) are very sturdy. In the winter, though, snow drifts cover portions of the stair case so be prepared to scramble. Recommend wearing spikes on your shoes to help with traction. Also, although there is a WC / toilet in the parking lot, it's not open in winter.
Written March 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Randomcamden
55 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
Was hoping to experience one of Iceland's quieter gems.. Unfortunately everyone seems to have discovered it already. Parked at the farm by the bridge and walked over the bridge (didn't fancy the rough road with our very low hire car). Since the second bridge, track and parking lot by the waterfall have been built, its easy for families to get to the East Side, so it was Disney-busy on a sunny day. The path is newly gravelled/pebbled so the walk from the Waterfall/car park is soulless and dirty. I get that they need to protect the ground from all the foot traffic but the stone path is horrible.
Worth all that for the canyon though... It's stunning, just don't expect any great photos with no-one in them....
Worth all that for the canyon though... It's stunning, just don't expect any great photos with no-one in them....
Written July 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Glen E
Golden, Canada505 contributions
Jun 2024 • Friends
We went to the eastern viewpoint to get the better perspective but the walk in is long. An amazing canyon of basalt column walls and serpentine water.
Even the first waterfall on the way in with its basalt column sides is spectacular.
The other bank gets you closer to the main canyon in your car but with an inferior view and lots of stairs.
Even the first waterfall on the way in with its basalt column sides is spectacular.
The other bank gets you closer to the main canyon in your car but with an inferior view and lots of stairs.
Written June 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EC13091
Ellicott City, MD1,545 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
We truly enjoyed our time at the canyon with its unique basalt columns. We opted to go to the overlook and use the steps as it was a blustery day and the idea of a long hike didn’t appeal. Although the information signs say you cannot access the canyon from there, we indeed had a good view. No, we weren’t at the base but still enjoyed the canyon. There is free parking here and pay toilets (pay with credit card). If you prefer to hike, park at the first parking area or cross the river and continue to a second parking area with a shorter hike.
Written May 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
imthirstysoul
Singapore, Singapore61 contributions
May 2023 • Family
The hike from the farm is around 6 -7km round trip on flat terrain. The basalt columns with the river flowing through it is spectacular. I would not miss this if you gave time. Getting down to the canyon floor requires some little bit of climbing. Quite easy even for a casual walker like me.
Written September 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelingFamilyTrip
Chicago, IL209 contributions
Jul 2021
The canyon was a good find for us. We debated back and forth over whether to do the hike or not, and in the end decided to just visit the viewing platform. Would have loved to do the walk, but we just didn't have time in the day. It's interesting to see some other reviews mention the crowds, because the day we visited, there were very few other people around. One other car at the overlook, maybe a half dozen hikers. We're glad we stopped by!
Written October 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IkeEsq
Alexandria, VA164 contributions
Aug 2021
This is definitely worth a bit of a walk and a bit of a drive. The canyon walls include basalt columns and some nice coloring. The main attraction includes a couple of ridges of stone in the middle of the river that you can access (along with the floor of the canyon) by taking the east path from the first turn-off.
The West path is a longer (3-4km) drive to a parking lot at the top of the ridge, followed by a climb down some stairs to the lip of the canyon. Much easier and quicker than the East path but no access to the floor of the canyon and a limited viewing area, a single platform. You reach it by continuing on ~5 miles down Rt 923 after the sign for the Klaustursel farm.
The East path is a shorter drive but a much longer walk that allows you to get to the floor of the canyon and no real restrictions on your view. It is about a 1.5 mile drive after taking a left off Rt 923 at the sign for the Klaustursel farm followed by a ~1.7 mile walk. Shortly after taking your left off Rt 923 you come to a parking lot with toilets and picnic tables. Do not stop here. Drive across the bridge along the rough, one-lane road for about 1.5 miles to the second parking lot. The trail from the second parking lot is mostly flat and wends its way alongside the canyon. Parking is free.
The West path is a longer (3-4km) drive to a parking lot at the top of the ridge, followed by a climb down some stairs to the lip of the canyon. Much easier and quicker than the East path but no access to the floor of the canyon and a limited viewing area, a single platform. You reach it by continuing on ~5 miles down Rt 923 after the sign for the Klaustursel farm.
The East path is a shorter drive but a much longer walk that allows you to get to the floor of the canyon and no real restrictions on your view. It is about a 1.5 mile drive after taking a left off Rt 923 at the sign for the Klaustursel farm followed by a ~1.7 mile walk. Shortly after taking your left off Rt 923 you come to a parking lot with toilets and picnic tables. Do not stop here. Drive across the bridge along the rough, one-lane road for about 1.5 miles to the second parking lot. The trail from the second parking lot is mostly flat and wends its way alongside the canyon. Parking is free.
Written August 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Azgators
Phoenix, AZ246 contributions
May 2021
Yet another place where you get two options on how to view. We took the longer gravel road to a parking lot that is right above the canyon. They have some great new stairs to go down, very safe, unless you're out of shape, to an easy viewing area. I thought that would be the best way, if we had more time I would have liked to take the long hike others have. Either way you get some pics of a very unique canyon. The basalt columns are very unique to Iceland, enjoyed each place they had them.
Written July 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can we get to studlagil canyon in end of October ？ Thank you .
Written March 28, 2022
We went in October but the weather is always temperamental. It snowed as soon as we left.
Written March 28, 2022
How far is this from Reykjavík? Do we need to rent a car to get here?
Written February 13, 2020
Showing results 1-3 of 3
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing