Interested in a Stunning Canyon Hike off the Beaten Track?

Stakkholtsgjá Canyon is an awesome canyon, located in South Iceland close to amazing Þórsmörk. The hike is about 3km/1.8mi and it took me around 1,5 hours to finish.

This canyon might look a bit familiar to you as it’s one of many Icelandic filming locations from Game of Thrones 🙂

It’s not easy to reach Stakkholtsgjá Canyon. But if you do, the hike through it is so worth the effort. And easy. When I say easy I mean there is no elevation but you’ll still need some good shoes which help you stay on your feet on the rocky ground. You also need to be prepared to cross the shallow river that runs through the canyon. Multiple times. Nothing serious though as long as the water levels aren’t unusually high.

I love canyons. Think they are so magnificent. The high and mighty cliffs on each side of them. The water running through them and then often as the icing on the cake, a waterfall at the end.

The Waterfall at the End of Stakkholtsgjá Canyon

I did this hike for the first time, many years ago. Then there was a pretty high waterfall in a cave at the end of the canyon. Very similar to (but smaller) Gljúfrabúi Waterfall which you may know. The waterfall that is located right next to the popular Seljalandsfoss Waterfall.

When I did this hike again this summer, the waterfall wasn’t there anymore. Or at least there was so little water that you couldn’t really call it a waterfall. A bit disappointing but didn’t ruin the hike for me at all. The canyon itself is totally worth the hike, with or without the waterfall in the cave.

When you reach the cave, you can also take a turn to the left and walk into a much more narrow part of the canyon. This part is a bit tricky as you need to climb on wet slippery rocks and cross the small river more than once to get to the end of the canyon. But that just makes the hike even more adventurous 🙂

Plan to Get Your Feet Wet!

Plan to get a little wet while doing this part of the hike. Here the water is deeper than in the main part of the canyon and not always possible to make a dry crossing. A pair of some kind of water shoes would be a good idea to bring with you. At least be prepared to get your feet wet. Truly worth it though.

I love this part of the hike. Think it’s very beautiful. Mysterious even. Very different from the main canyon. Which is also very beautiful. Just different. Here the canyon is much more narrow. Instead of having tens of meters between the canyons walls, they are only a few meters apart. You are so much closer to the mystical moss covered cliffs and tiny waterfalls pop up here and there on the way to the end of this part of the canyon. Which by the way isn’t long. Much shorter than the main part of it.

Then, if you manage to get to the end, you’ll be rewarded with a small but  beautiful waterfall. 

Be Aware of the Water Levels that Vary quite a Bit

Like I mentioned before, you have to cross a river a number of times on your way through the canyon. When I was there in early August, the water level was very low so it was easy to find good places to cross each time. However this can differ a lot. In general, the water levels are higher in the spring and early summer. That’s the time of year the snow from the mountains is melting, feeding the rivers with water. The water levels can also rise a great deal during rainy days, making it more difficult to do this hike. 

I’m pretty sure the reason for the absence of the waterfall in the cave was due to low water levels at the time I was there. I’ve read some relatively new reviews and blogs about this place where everybody mentions the waterfall in the cave. So I’m confident that it isn’t gone for good.

How to Get to Stakkholtsgjá Canyon

Well, that’s a tricky one. The road to Stakkholtsgjá Canyon is only for 4×4 vehicles. You need to cross a number of rivers and to be honest I would never do this drive in anything other than a big jeep. I’ve never driven this road myself. I always leave it to my husband who is very experienced in crossing rivers in a jeep.

If you plan on driving yourself, please remember that no car insurance in Iceland covers damages caused by river crossings.

The good news is that there are some companies that offer tours to the area. A perfect day tour could for an example be this one that offers a trip to Þórsmörk, with a stop by Stakkholtsgjá on the way.

A day tour which offers a stop at Stakkholtsgjá Canyon

Þórsmörk is a breathtaking oasis surrounded by glaciers and the beautifully rough highlands. It’s wildly loved by hikers and you can choose from a range of amazing hikes while there on a short visit. Love this place.

A great hike I recommend in Þórsmörk is to the summit of Valahnúkur. The views from there are simply breathtaking.

A trip to Þórsmörk and Stakkholtsgjá Canyon is truly recommended. A day to remember for sure.

Well, that’s it for now. If you liked this post and think some of your friends might be interested in reading it too, please help me spread the word. I’d really appreciate it if you’d share it on social media or just send it directly to a friend.

Until next time!