Stuðlafoss is a waterfall in East Iceland, on the trail to Stuðlagil canyon. It falls over columnar basalt a short distance from the car park and is the first thing walkers reach on the route. The trail continues 2.5 km one way from the eastern trailhead to the canyon viewpoint, following the Jökla river past coloured cliffs. The canyon walk itself was made possible by the Kárahnjúkar hydropower project, which remains controversial in Iceland.
Stuðlafoss
The falls drop over columnar basalt, and they are only the first stop: the trail runs 2.5 km on to the Stuðlagil canyon view.
- Entrance
- Free
- Accessibility
- The entrance is not wheelchair accessible.
- Parking
- Paid car park at the trailhead. Pay at the station beside the toilets or through the Parka app.
- Difficulty
- Two-minute walk from the car park to the falls; 2.5 km one way from the eastern trailhead to the Stuðlagil canyon viewpoint.
- Transport
- Self-drive — Jökuldalur valley, off the Ring Road
- Hours
- Open 24 hours, every day.
What makes it special
Stuðlafoss stands at the start of the trail to Stuðlagil canyon, about a two-minute walk from the car park. The water drops over columnar basalt, the same rock that draws people to the canyon further on. It works as an introduction to Stuðlagil rather than a destination of its own, and the trail carries on: 2.5 km one way from the eastern trailhead to the canyon viewpoint. The route follows the Jökla river, with coloured cliffs across the water. At the canyon end you can go down to the bottom and stand at the river's edge. The falls are worth the stop even if you turn back here, with basalt columns closing in on both sides of the drop.
Good to know
- Parking is paid. The pay station stands next to the toilets in the car park.
- There is no mobile signal at the car park. Parking can be paid through the Parka app, which allows 24 hours to settle.
- There are toilets at the car park, beside the parking pay station.
- The waterfall is not the canyon. The Stuðlagil viewpoint is another 2.5 km, one way from the eastern trailhead.
- No step-free access. The entrance is not wheelchair accessible.
Getting there
Stuðlafoss is reached by car, and the car park sits at the trailhead. From there the waterfall is about a two-minute walk along the path towards Stuðlagil. The same path carries on to the canyon: 2.5 km one way from the eastern trailhead to the viewpoint, following the Jökla river.
Best time to visit
Better: early May, when the trail is quiet.
Avoid: arriving with only enough time for the waterfall if you want the canyon as well — the viewpoint is 2.5 km on from the eastern trailhead.
The falls sit at the beginning of the route, so everyone walking to Stuðlagil passes them. They are open at any hour.
Sun & daylight
Nearby Places
Similar Places
Stuðlafoss on the map
The path runs beside the fast, cold glacial Jökla river with unfenced banks and slippery rock near the falls — keep back from the edge and keep a close eye on children.
Get directions
Your whole travel map in one place
Get inspired by new places around the world and find the ones worth the journey
Frequently asked questions
Do you have to pay for parking?
Yes, the car park is paid. The pay station is next to the toilets. There is no mobile signal here, so the Parka app gives 24 hours to complete the payment.How far is the waterfall from the car park?
About a two-minute walk. Stuðlafoss is the first landmark on the path towards Stuðlagil canyon.How far is Stuðlagil canyon from the waterfall?
The canyon viewpoint is 2.5 km one way from the eastern trailhead, and the waterfall appears along that route. At the canyon you can descend to the bottom and reach the water.Are there toilets?
Yes, at the car park, next to the parking pay station.Is the site wheelchair accessible?
No. The entrance is not wheelchair accessible.