2025 Mulathing Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in October)

#mytraveldiary Stuðlagil Canyon: Iceland’s Hidden Basalt Wonderland Tucked away in East Iceland, Stuðlagil Canyon is a breathtaking natural masterpiece carved by glacial rivers. Its towering basalt columns, formed by ancient volcanic activity, line the turquoise Jökla River, creating one of the most striking contrasts in Iceland’s landscape. The canyon remained hidden beneath glacial waters for centuries, only revealed after a hydroelectric project lowered the river’s flow. Today, it feels like stepping into a secret world of geometric rock walls and serene blue waters. Whether admired from the viewing platforms or experienced up close on a riverside hike, Stuðlagil Canyon is a surreal reminder of nature’s quiet artistry.

#AprilGoodDestinations2025 Every summer, Iceland not only has long days and smooth driving, but it is also the season when cute puffins return to their nests in groups! Travel around the island in the most authentic way, from geothermal areas to glacial lakes to the seabird paradise on the cliffs, allowing you to collect Iceland's most classic summer scenery in one go. Tour Overview * Travel season: late April to August (suitable for puffins viewing + driving around the island) * Transportation: Self-driving is recommended (flexible) * Highlights: spectacular waterfalls, glacial lakes, black sand beaches, canyons, cute puffins Day 1｜Arrival in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland * Trip Highlights: * Climb up to Hallgrímskirkja Church to take photos of the city view * Accommodation: Reykjavik city Day 2｜Reykjavik → Vík (South Coast) * Key attractions: * Seljalandsfoss: You can walk behind the waterfall * Skogafoss: Experience the majestic waterfall up close * Dyrhólaey Cliffs: A great spot to see puffins in summer * Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach + Basalt Columns * Accommodation: Vík village or nearby Day 3｜Vík → Jökulsárlón Glacier Lake Area * Recommended attractions: * Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon: a winding canyon only available in summer * Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: Floating ice blocks are like a dream * Diamond Beach: Glittering ice blocks on the black sand beach * Accommodation: Höfn fishing village (lobster recommended) Day 4｜Höfn → Egilsstaðir (East Fjords) * Trip Highlights: * Enjoy the magnificent sea view of the East Fjords along the way * Borgarfjörður Eystri: One of the most relaxing places to see puffins in Iceland (with walking trails and viewing platforms, peak viewing time is July) * Accommodation: Egilsstaðir or Seyðisfjörður art town Day 5｜Egilsstaðir → Mývatn * Recommended attractions: * Dettifoss waterfall: the largest waterfall in Europe * Hverir Sulphur Fields & Dimmuborgir Black Rock Labyrinth * Accommodation: Myvatn Day 6｜Lake Myvatn → Akureyri → Borgarnes * Highlights: * Goðafoss Waterfall: Iceland's goddess waterfall with a perfect drop * Walking around Akureyri: Iceland's second largest city, with a relaxed style * Kolugljúfur small canyon waterfall * Hraunfossar & Barnafoss waterfalls: flowing out of lava, very special * Accommodation: Borgarnes Day 7｜Return → Reykjavik Airport * You can go to the supermarket to replenish your supplies in the morning (Bonus, Krónan) * Drive back to the airport, return the car, and prepare to fly back home Tips for driving in Iceland in summer: * Weather changes quickly: bring a windproof + waterproof jacket, and dress in an onion-style * Be diligent in refueling: gas stations in the east are far away, so fill up when the tank is half full * Do not feed puffins: respect wild animals and keep your distance when taking photos * Navigation suggestions: Google Maps + Vedur (weather) + Safetravel.is (road safety)

Hallormsstadur is a beautiful and tranquil forest reserve located about twenty minutes from Egilsstaðir. It's amazing to walk in what is said to be Iceland's only forest. The forest can provide shelter from the wind, so sometimes the weather inside the forest is better than in the town. There is a botanical garden here that was planted as early as the early 1900s. We walked around this botanical garden and were amazed by the variety of tree species, many of which come from places with dense, tall trees around the world, with some trees reaching up to 20 meters high. Iceland is experimenting with different tree species to see which ones can thrive in the harsh subarctic conditions. After spending a few days in Iceland, it was wonderful to take a walk in the woods. It indeed has an impressive native birch forest. There are also many planted conifers here, and besides birch and conifers, there are many types of mosses and fungi to see. But if you choose the right route, you can see mature birch trees, which might be what Iceland originally looked like. There are many things worth seeing here, so I would recommend it to anyone who loves nature and ecology.

#hellohalloween ✨Stuðlagil Canyon, located in eastern Iceland, is one of the country’s most breathtaking natural wonders. This dramatic canyon is famous for its towering basalt columns, perfectly shaped like long hexagonal pillars that rise beside a bright blue-green river. Formed by ancient volcanic activity, the canyon looks almost unreal — a masterpiece of nature carved from fire and water. Visitors love walking along the trails to enjoy amazing views from above, or hiking down to the riverbank for a closer look at the stunning rock formations. In summer, the sunlight reflects off the water, creating a magical mix of colors, while in autumn the surrounding hills turn golden and red, making it even more beautiful. Many travelers call Stuðlagil one of Iceland’s most photogenic spots, peaceful and untouched. It’s a hidden gem that shows the powerful and artistic side of Icelandic nature.

📅 Itinerary Day1：REYKJUVIK Day2: Golden circle Day3: Vik and black beach 🏨 Accommodation : 🍴 Food Recommendations 📌 Tips

When traveling to the western part of Iceland, you'll notice there are fewer tourists, and many people might not even stop here. However, I personally really liked this hotel. It has only a dozen or so rooms, all on one level. Most hotels in Iceland are relatively small anyway. After spending two nights near the glacier, I headed straight here to rest. By the time I arrived, it was already dark. I chose this hotel because it overlooks a beautiful lake and has an outdoor hot tub. It's a shared facility, but since the hotel has so few rooms, I had it all to myself when I went for a soak. Gazing at the lake while relaxing in the hot tub was quite chill. Unfortunately, the weather throughout this trip was terrible as I kept chasing rain clouds. 🥲 The main reason for staying here was to visit Stuðlagil Canyon. However, I couldn't find the path to get down to the bottom of the canyon 😤, so I eventually gave up. It's supposed to be stunning, but I missed out. 🤐

#postandearn Iceland is full of dramatic landscapes, hidden gems, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. If you want something more unique than the usual tourist stops, here are 10 special attractions worth adding to your list: 1. Húsavík 🐋 – Known as the whale-watching capital of Iceland, this charming town is the perfect place to spot humpbacks, orcas, and even blue whales. 2. Stuðlagil Canyon 🌈 – A stunning canyon with tall basalt columns and turquoise-blue waters that feels like another planet. 3. Westfjords 🏔️ – Remote and untouched, with breathtaking cliffs like Látrabjarg where puffins nest in summer. 4. Rauðasandur Beach 🏖️ – Unlike Iceland’s famous black sand beaches, this one glows with red and golden sand. 5. Askja Caldera 🌋 – A volcanic wonder where you can hike into a surreal lunar-like landscape used by NASA for astronaut training. 6. Kerlingarfjöll ⛰️ – A geothermal mountain range with steaming hot springs, colorful rhyolite hills, and amazing hikes. 7. Siglufjörður 🎣 – A picturesque fishing village with rich history and a great herring-era museum. 8. Gjáin Valley 💚 – A hidden fairytale-like valley filled with waterfalls, lava formations, and lush greenery. 9. Þórsmörk (Thorsmork) 🌿 – A hiker’s paradise surrounded by glaciers, rivers, and mountains. Perfect for nature lovers. 10. The Arctic Henge ❄️ – A mystical stone monument in Raufarhöfn, inspired by Norse mythology, especially magical at midnight sun. Exploring Iceland is like stepping into a fantasy world where fire meets ice. These unique spots go beyond the usual Golden Circle and let you experience the raw, wild side of the island. Whether it’s whale-watching, hiking through geothermal valleys, or finding hidden beaches, Iceland never fails to surprise. 🌋🌊

#holidayitinerary Exploring Stuðlagil Canyon was an unforgettable experience, with its dramatic basalt columns and striking turquoise river winding through the valley. The walk to reach the viewpoint was part of the adventure, passing through peaceful countryside before the landscape suddenly opened up to reveal this natural wonder. Standing at the edge, the sheer walls of perfectly formed basalt looked like something crafted by an artist rather than nature. The sunlight made the water shimmer in shades of blue and green, creating a stunning contrast against the dark rock. I took my time wandering along the paths, taking in the canyon from different angles and feeling amazed at how untouched it all seemed. The sound of the river flowing below added to the peaceful yet powerful atmosphere. Stuðlagil is the kind of place that reminds you just how unique and beautiful Iceland’s landscapes can be, especially when discovered in person.

The stunning Stuðlagil Canyon in Iceland, showing off amazing hexagonal basalt columns! You can walk into the canyon and climb over the columns from the southern side - there's a car park and a short easy hike to it. Be careful, if you go to viewpoint on the bluebell northern side of the canyon you can't climb down into the canyon, you can only go down a steep set of stars to the viewpoint, so the hike is definitely recommended, the turning to cross the river a couple of kilometres north of the canyon itself. This was one of the best things we did on our week in Iceland and I would absolutely do it again, great fun! #iceland #hiking #geology