Jökulsá á Dal, the longest river in East Iceland, is known by three names: Jökla, as it’s called by the locals in Jökulsárdalur, Jökulsá á Dal, and Jökulsá á Brú. Along its course lies one of Iceland’s most iconic natural landmarks, Studlagil, which has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in East Iceland. However, Studlagil only gained recognition about a decade ago.
Before Jökla was harnessed in 2007 at Kárahnjúkar, Iceland’s largest hydroelectric plant, the canyon carried murky glacial water, concealing the beautiful columnar basalt formations along its 500-meter stretch. Things are different now, and visitors can take a short walk from the farm Grund to viewing platforms built at the canyon. For a more striking experience, it’s recommended to hike for about half an hour to view Studlagil from the eastern side. However, caution is crucial—this past autumn, a young American woman tragically fell to her death in the canyon. Visitors must tread carefully and respect Iceland’s natural wonders. From Reykjavík, it’s about a ten-hour drive east to Studlagil, whether taking the northern or southern route along Ring Road 1.
Studlagil 25/11/2024: RX1R II, A7R IV, A7R III – 2.0/35mm Z, FE 1.2/50mm GM, FE 1.4/85mm GM, FE 1.8/20mm G, FE 1.8/135mm GM – Images and text by Páll Stefánsson
