Skutustadir Pseudocraters (Iceland, Myvatn) – tips + photos

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.

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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.

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

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:

This location is included (with GPS coordinates, map of region and planning info) in both my travel guide eBooks that help you easily plan your Iceland road trip:

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

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:

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.

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

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

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.

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

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