Discover Stuðlagil Canyon with car rental in Iceland

Tucked deep in the wilderness of Northeast Iceland lies Stuðlagil Canyon, the island's greatest natural masterpiece. A sight every visitor traveling to the Land of Ice and Fire should have on their travel itinerary. 

Follow me as we discover the amazing scenery of Stuðlagil Canyon and the magical journey getting there.

Renting a car at Keflavik Airport

Keflavik International Airport in Reykjavik is on the Southwest part of Iceland, at Reykjanes Peninsula. The area with all the volcanic eruptions and the Blue Lagoon. Stuðlagil Canyon is on the opposite side of the island, 641 km away from the capital. 

If you want to see Stuðlagil Canyon you’ll need a rental car in Iceland. Stuðlagil is very far from Reykjavik, and you can’t just jump onto a bus there. There is no public transport available for this trip. The only real option for this trip is renting a car at Keflavik Airport.

Driving to Stuðlagil Canyon

So, it’s a long journey which takes you across Iceland. But with a trusty rental car it’s an opportunity for the greatest road trip of your life. It is possible to drive to Stuðlagil Canyon in one day, but it would be over 8 hours, just one way. That’s not fun and honestly just a waste of a chance to explore Iceland.

Driving to Stuðlagil Canyon is easy, you just follow Iceland’s main highway, Road 1, also known as the Ring Road of Iceland. From Reykjavik you head north towards Akureyri and once there you continue east towards Egilsstaðir. Keep going east until reaching Road 923 where you go off the Ring Road, until finally reaching the parking lot for Stuðlagil Canyon. 

There you can safely park your rental car and start making your way on foot down the gore to the canyon main site. It’s a bit of a hike, so have your boots on and good outdoor clothing. It’s fairly easy but just like driving there, there is no need to rush, just go at your own pace. 

Iceland’s Most Beautiful Scenery 

If you’re not familiar with Stuðagil Canyon you might be wondering, what is so great about it? Stuðlagil is not just any ordinary gore. It is a world class natural wonder and the most impressive scenery in Iceland. I know that’s a bold statement, but it’s true.

It is the most photographed natural structure in Iceland, only second to Kirkjufell mountain at Snæfellsnes peninsula. Which is also out of this world beautiful site, but much closer to Reykjavik and accessible than Stuðlagil. 

What is most impressive about Stuðlagil is its unique natural features. It is almost hard to believe it was created by nature, and not a man made structure. With its crazy pillar rock walls curving and bending as it follows the river beneath. As that wasn’t inspiring enough, the walls have different shades of colors, and so does the river that carved it. 

Car Rental Road-trip Across Iceland

Having a rental car in Iceland offers you to travel at your own pace and this is exactly the kind of trip you should be planning.  

I recommend making it your goal in Iceland to see Stuðlagil Canyon and plan your entire Iceland trip around it. There are so many fantastic stops you can make along the way. Like seeing the Hvítserkur sea stack, going to Akureyri or visiting the hot springs at Lake Mývatn. 

And since you’ve already made it this far you might as well explore the wonders northeast of Iceland. Like going whale watching in Húsavik or seeing Dettifoss, Iceland's most powerful waterfall. 

You could also finish going around Iceland as you’re almost halfway there at Stuðlagil. Exploring the mysterious East Iceland and finishing our journey on the famous black sand of south Iceland.

When’s the Best Time to Visit Stuðlagil Canyon?

The best time to visit Stuðlagil Canyon is during summer. Mainly due to challenging driving conditions in North Iceland during winter and bad weather. Storms and road closures are fairly common in winter, especially in remote areas. Making it harder to reach Stuðlagil and keep a schedule. 

This should not be an issue in summer where you can easily make the road trip and hike towards the canyon, from May to October. With that being said, safety should always be your top priority when traveling in Iceland. Therefore I strongly recommend monitoring road and weather conditions daily for safe travels.

Conclusion

However you decide to travel to Stuðlagil Canyon  just remember to enjoy the trip. It might be far from where you need to start but look at it as an opportunity for further adventures in Iceland. All you need is your rental car and a positive attitude. Iceland’s amazing nature and culture will take care of the rest, making sure you´ll have the best experience. 

Stuðlagil Canyon is just one out of countless roadside attractions you can visit when driving in Iceland. If you like to see more feel free to check out our blog about Natural Wonders and Practical Info.