Stakkholtsgjá Gorge: Hidden Moss Canyon in Þórsmörk

Stakkholtsgjá is located in Þórsmörk (Thorsmork), accessible via Route 249 from the South Coast. From Route 1, turn onto Route 249 near Hella (about 95 km east of Reykjavík). The road requires crossing several glacial rivers, including the wide Krossá river, which can only be forded with a modified super jeep or by taking the scheduled Highland bus services. Trex and Reykjavík Excursions run buses from Reykjavík and Hella to Þórsmörk daily during summer (approximately June through September). The bus ride from Reykjavík takes about 4 hours. From the Þórsmörk campsite at Básar, the gorge entrance is about a 20-minute walk west along a well-marked trail. Regular rental cars absolutely cannot make the river crossings -- attempting to do so voids insurance and is extremely dangerous. The Básar and Húsadalur campsites in Þórsmörk offer basic facilities including restrooms and a small shop.

Stakkholtsgjá is only accessible from approximately mid-June through mid-September when the Þórsmörk bus services operate and river conditions allow safe crossing. July is the peak month with the warmest temperatures (10-15°C), greenest moss, and longest daylight. August offers similar conditions with slightly fewer visitors. Early September provides beautiful autumn tones but bus services begin to wind down and river levels can rise unpredictably. June access depends on river conditions from spring melt. The gorge can be visited in light rain, but be aware that heavy rainfall raises water levels in the stream quickly, making the deeper sections to the hidden waterfall harder or impossible to reach. Dry spells of 2-3 days produce the lowest stream levels and easiest access to the waterfall at the gorge's end. From October through May, Þórsmörk is completely inaccessible.