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Skutustadir Pseudocraters (Iceland, Myvatn) – tips + photos

Last updated on July 8, 2022 By Claire, the Travel Planning Geek

The pseudocraters at Skutustadagigar, Lake Myvatn, are one of my favorite geological features in Iceland.
But those are not real volcanic craters! 
Below is my guide to visit the Skutustadir craters, Iceland, with tips, map and photos.

Skutustadir Iceland Lake Myvatn Pseudocraters

Table of Contents
Why visit the Skutustadagigar pseudocraters in Iceland?
Planning tips & Maps - Skutustadir, Iceland
Walking up the first Lake Myvatn pseudocrater
The geology behind the Skutustadir pseudocraters - formation
Walking along the Stakholstjorn pond 
Skutustadir craters in Winter

This article contains affiliate links (Disclosure page). If you purchase using my link, I get a commission at no extra cost to you.


Why visit the Skutustadagigar pseudocraters in Iceland?

Skútustadagígar is the area South of Lake Myvatn around the pond Stakholstjorn where the famous pseudocraters can be found (see next section to understand why they are not real craters).
The Skutustadir Farm is named after an ancient hero called Viga-Skuta and allows us to get up close and climb some of those beautifully shaped pseudocraters.

Skutustadir Myvatn Iceland

Skutustadir Pseudocraters, Iceland

The Skutustadir pseudocraters made it to my list of the 10 best landscapes in Iceland and my top 5 things to see in Myvatn.

How to pronounce the name?

To facilitate the reading of this article, you can listen to the pronunciation of Skutustadir here.

More photos after the planning tips.


Planning tips & Maps - Skutustadir, Iceland

Skutustadir Location - Map

  • North part of Iceland
  • South shore of Lake Myvatn, 
  • Akureyri to Stukustadir = 1h05 drive
  • Egilsstadir to Stukustadir = 2h15 drive
  • Reykjahlid to Stukustadir = 15min drive
  • Below is a map to help you get oriented and locate the pseudocrater walk:
Skutustadir pseudocraters in Iceland location Map

Skutustadir pseudocraters in Iceland - location map

All my favorite locations are included (with GPS coordinates, map of region and planning tips) in my travel guide eBook to help you easily plan your Iceland road trip (for 5 days, 7 days, 10 days, 14 days...)

Plan your dream road trip around Iceland!

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  • 8 easy-to-plan maps
  • 100+ pre-selected locations
  • Useful planning tips
  • 130+ large photos 
  • GPS coordinates direct to carparks

LEARN MORE

Ring road Iceland road trip travel guide cover small
  • 2 easy-to-plan maps
  • 30 stops, 10 detours
  • Useful planning tips 
  • 70+ large photos 
  • GPS coordinates direct to carparks

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How to get to Skutustadagigar

  • Very easy to stop along the road that goes around Lake Myvatn
  • Large carpark across from the Skutustadir farmers guesthouse
  • Accessible to standard cars
  • Some organised tours may stop there but you won't be given time to walk around the pond as the main stop is Dimmuborgir

Need to rent a car in Iceland?
My tips:

  • Option 1 - Compare car rental prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com - one of the best customer-rated comparison sites!
  • Option 2 - compare cars and prices of local brands on GuidetoIceland.com
  • If you plan on driving on F-roads in the Central Highlands, you need a good 4WD - otherwise, no.
  • Book early to have a large choice of vehicles (it is a popular island)

See my articles about renting a car in Iceland and driving there.

Visiting Skútustadagígar - the myvatn pseudo-craters

  • Large carpark,
  • Across the road is a cafe, a gas station and toilets as well as a hotel/restaurant
  • And around is a small settlement with a church slightly uphill - Skútustaðakirkja
  • The easy walk around the pond can be done in 1 hour (see map below). Some pseudocraters can be climbed, others are protected and cannot be approached
  • I think the beginning of the hike has the best views on the West side
  • I recommend the use of a fly net in summer. The area is famous for those annoying bugs especially so close to the water. I had some in September but it was bearable.
  • This area is also recommended for bird watching
  • And check out my complete article on what to wear and pack for Iceland to stay warm and comfortable

Skutustadir Walk Map

Below is the map of the path that takes you all the way around the Stakholstjörn pond to see most of the pseudocraters:

Map Lake Myvatn pseudocraters Skútustadagígar

Skutustadir Walk Map

Accommodations around Myvatn

I think Lake Myvatn is a fantastic area to stay for a few days.
The town of Reykjahlid would be a great option to visit the area. Choose one of the lake Myvatn accommodations

The Dimmuborgir Guesthouse is one of my favorite places to stay in Iceland (I booked myself and paid entirely for my stay).
Right next to the lake and with the Hverfjall crater in the background... perfect! See more photos and check availability

Myvatn Accommodation - Dimmuborgir Guesthouse

Dimmuborgir Guesthouse

Otherwise:

  • you can stay at Egilsstadir before or after your visit to Myvatn (connection with East Fjords) - see best rated accommodations
  • or you can stay at Akureyri, the capital of the North to explore the region - see best rated accommodations

And find more tips in my article about Where to stay in Iceland


Walking up the first Lake Myvatn pseudocrater

I started the walk around the pseudocraters early morning I was lucky that the wind was down and got rewarded with beautiful reflections.

Lake Myvatn pseudo-craters, Iceland Photo 1

The first crater you encounter can be circled. See the people below, it gives you an idea of the size of the pseudocrater:

Lake Myvatn pseudo-craters, Iceland Photo 2

From the top of 2 pseudocraters, you get nice views of the area and sometimes the company of sheep.

Lake Myvatn pseudo-craters, Iceland Photo 3
Lake Myvatn pseudo-craters, Iceland Photo 4
Lake Myvatn pseudo-craters, Iceland Photo 5

The geology behind the Skutustadir pseudocraters - formation

These pseudocraters were formed around 2,300 years ago in the eruption of Ludentaborgir and Threngslaborgir. 

Here is the information I found at the Myvatn visitor center where they have very nice displays:

“The planet Mars has recently been found to harbor a large groups of craters that seem to have formed by steam explosions as glowing hot lava flowed over frozen ground. Such “pseudocraters” from on Earth as lava runs over wet sediment or into the sea. Most of Earth’s pseudocraters are in Iceland and they are rare elsewhere. Scientific interest in them has increased after the Mars discovery. The pseudocrater by lake Myvatn are amongst the largest and most beautifully shaped on Earth.

The Myvatn pseudocraters were formed as lava entered a large lake (a precursor of Lake Myvatn), trapping its wet sediment underneath. First, many eruptions take place and a platform of fine-grained material is built up. Later, a few eruption vents take over, the water supply diminishes, and well-shaped crater cones develop on top of the platform. The molten lava moves like a thin sheet inside a stationary crust. The lower crust breaks and the hot lava makes contact with the water-logged sediment underneath triggering violent steam eruptions. The lava continues to flow inside the crust envelope and feeds the steam eruptions.

Now the craters are covered by grass because midges fertilize the soil when they die.”


Walking along the Stakholstjorn pond 

After that I walked down and continued on the path along the pond. Apart from the flies this is a very enjoyable walk. However, the first part had the best views as you can see in the pictures.

Lake Myvatn pseudo-craters, iceland Photo 6
Lake Myvatn pseudo-craters, Iceland Photo 7
Lake Myvatn pseudo-craters, Iceland Photo 8
Beach Lake Myvatn Skutustadir

Note: If you don't want to book everything yourself, consider booking a Self-Drive Tour Package (see my article to help you choose)


Skutustadir craters in Winter

The first pseudo-craters of Myvatn remain accessible in Winter.
You cannot do the entire loop. walking, but the path and staircases to get on top of the first ones are easy to walk.

Skutustadagigar path in Winter

Skutustadagigar path in Winter

The view is just very different: the pond is covered in snow and the landscape is all black and white.
See my article about Myvatn in Winter

Pseudocraters Myvatn in Winter

Skutustadir in Winter

And here is a view of the Skutustadir church:

Skutustadir Church

Skutustadir Church: Skútustaðakirkja


Want to see other highlights in the area? 

  • The large volcanic crater of Hverfjall on which you can climb - read article
  • The crazy lava formations of Dimmuborgir - read article
  • The orange geothermal area of Hverir Namafjall - read article
  • The lava pillars of Hofdi - read article
  • And, a bit further away, the Waterfalls of Godafoss, Aldeyjarfoss and Dettifoss
  • Or read my complete article about North Iceland
  • Tips to plan your Iceland road trip - read article
  • Tips to rent a car in Iceland - read article
  • Tips to drive around Iceland - read article
  • Itinerary suggestions - read article

Planning a trip to Iceland? 

Check out my travel guide to help you plan:

Plan your dream road trip in Iceland

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  • 100+ pre-selected locations 
  • Tips to make the most of your time
  • 130+ original photos to get inspired
  • GPS coordinates for easy navigation

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Indie says

    November 10, 2018 at 4:43 AM

    Hi Claire

    Thank you for the details and the map ! Beautiful pictures and helpful article ! I have a few questions:

    1. Is it easy to figure out which pseudo craters can be climbed and which are protected ?
    2. Does the walk around lake Stakholstjorn take an hour without climbing psuedocraters ?
    3. If we climb 1-2 pseudocraters, how long will the loop around lake Stakholstjorn take?
    4. The west side is the first parking lot near Kirkjumyn ?

    Thanks in advance !
    Indie

    • Claire, the Travel Planning Geek says

      November 10, 2018 at 10:31 AM

      Hi Indie
      1. Yes it is is, the paths are clear
      2. Depending on how many pictures you take 🙂 1h with the climbing (they are not tall)
      3. 1h / 1h1(
      4. yes

      • Indie says

        November 10, 2018 at 4:09 PM

        THANK YOU ! Really appreciate all the details in your blog.

  2. Joanna says

    December 26, 2018 at 3:03 PM

    Thanks for the map – verrry helpful!

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