Stuðlagil Canyon photo spot

“Studlagil Canyon” is the nature diamond at “Efri-Jökuldalur” and has become a popular site to visit, particularly after the hydroelectric plant Kárahnjúkavirkjun was built 2007. The section of the river which is named Stuðlagil (Basalt Columns) is considered to have one of Iceland’s largest collections of basalt columns on land. Today, the river itself is hardly comparable to former times, when it was a gushing glacial river transporting tonnes of sediment. This is because the river was re-directed with Kárahnjúkar dam. The canyon is 500 m long and with 20-30 m basalt columns on both side of the river. The colour of the river differs between seasons, from blue-green during the summer to grey-brown when Karahnjukar dam is on overflow status and also when snow melts into the river.