When I arrived at Stuðlagil Canyon in August 2016 to view and take photos, no one had been there apart from a few local people. It was an untouched natural wonder. When I published the photos and wrote an article about this stunning place in Wow Air Magazine, everything changed. In two to three years, Stuðlagil became one of the most popular attractions in Iceland. In 2020 it was the most popular tourist attraction among Icelanders. It is on a fast track, becoming one of the 10 most popular attractions in Iceland. According to a report from The Icelandic Tourism Research Center published in November 2019, I was the person that both discovered the canyon and gave it its name. The photos here are becoming unique as the canyon was untouched, and my younger daughter Halla Einarsdóttir and I had the place to ourselves for hours. Since then, hundreds of thousands of tourists have visited the canyon, and the canyon investments are hundreds of millions in krónur. But here, you can enjoy photos of the untouched Stuðlagil Basalt Column Canyon.
The original photo that made Stuðlagil both famous and a major tourist attraction
It was nothing less than a magical moment to experience the landform at the bottom of the canyon. The turquoise river's smoothness compared to the forceful glacial river that had flooded there only a few months ago. The basalt column's total exposure for thousands of years had been below the high-volume glacial river—the overwhelming beauty of this magical combination of natural wonders. For a photographer, it was almost paralyzing.
A view to the north at Stuðlagil basalt column canyon showing the magnitude of the basalt column
While preparing for the photos, I talked to the farmers living near the canyon and the farmer who owned the land on the river's east bank. It was a preparation for my photography and to get permission. It was apparent to me at the time that this place would become a significant attraction. It is highly interesting for photography and photographers.
Stuðlagil Basalt column canyon a view to the south from the east bank at the bottom of the river
In addition to the turquoise color of the river, there are also other sources of color in the canyon. In addition to the vegetation, you will find orange and red cliffs, probably with iron, that only adds to the canyon's variety. It is not difficult to find an interesting foreground for photography in the canyon.
Stuðlagil Basalt column canyon untouched in 2016 before it became a major tourist attraction
The west side is much less exciting and gives a minimal overview of the canyon. The new observation platform is oddly placed and has too many steps, and the platform also provides a minimum view of the canyon's true beauty. The west position is a complete waste of time for photographers as it is complicated to photograph the canyon's beauty from Grund or the west side. For any serious photographer, the east side is the only option. From that side, you can enter the bottom of the canyon, which is vital for photography.
Stuðlagil is part of my Ring Road article with recommendations and places to visit on hiticeland.com
Stuðlagil Basalt column canyon - a view from the bottom of the river towards the north
