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There are many hidden gems in Iceland, but sometimes, it’s nice to get easy access to a good experience. Skútustaðagígar is one of those places that suit any visitor and offers a unique and versatile experience of the key elements of what makes Iceland so attractive to visitors.
In this article, we provide all the info you need to experience the strange wonders of Skútustaðagígar. Stay tuned!
What is Skútustaðagígar?
When you travel to this area in Iceland, you’ll be struck by an otherworldly reminder of the versatile and ever-present power of the Icelandic volcanoes. Strangely enough, the craters you will spot in the area are not volcanic, but rather a sort of distant cousin. Skútustaðagígar hosts a myriad of Pseudo-craters that give the landscape a look comparable to another planet.
How the craters at Skútustaðagígar are formed differs from the volcanic craters on the island. They are not impact craters from small space rocks, and they’re not the result of a volcano underneath them, so what are they?
What is a Pseudo-Crater?
Pseudo-craters in Iceland are technically called “rootless cones”, which sounds incredibly boring, so we will keep calling it a pseudo-crater. The way they differ from other craters in Iceland is that they are not directly connected to an underground flow of magma.
Instead, Skútustaðir Pseudo Craters are the result of lava flowing over cold wetlands and creating something that would resemble bubbles in a very thick sauce. Most craters are the result of magma coming through the crust, building pressure, and eventually erupting in a flow or explosion of lava and gas. A Pseudo-crater is almost the same, only it is created by steam pockets.
When lava flows over the wetlands, it pushes down on the wet ground, evaporating the water and building enormous pressure. When this steamy pressure reaches a certain point, it erupts or collapses the crust holding it down, creating these Pseudo Craters where the “lava bubbles” burst. Hence, over a very long period, it would resemble a bubbling sauce.
Fun fact: the first witnessed formation of Pseudo-craters in the world was during the Eyjafjallajökull eruption in Iceland in 2010!
The Birth of Skútustaðagígar
Roughly 2,300 years ago, about the same time Archimedes took a bath and screamed “Eureka!” Iceland was busy with two volcanic eruptions from Lúdentaborgir and Þrengslaborgir. The lava from these eruptions flowed aggressively over the northern part of Iceland, covering the Mývatn wetland area.
When the lava evaporated the water in the wetlands, these bubbles of lava were created and eventually collapsed, creating the craters. Luckily, the water in the wetlands prevailed and left behind the scenic landscape of Skútustaðagígar, filled with pseudo-craters.
Where is Skútustaðagígar?
Skútustaðagígar is an easily accessible area in the heart of the northern part of Iceland. The area is in the middle of Mývatn wetlands and is far from a hidden gem due to its accessibility. The site is just south of Ring Road 1, a few kilometers from Akureyri, making it easy to find and not time-consuming to visit on your Iceland road trip.
How to get to Skútustaðagígar
As touched upon above, reaching Skútustaðagígar is as easy as Icelandic pie. You can get there either via public transport from Akureyri or a self-drive from wherever on the island.
Drive Yourself to Skútustaðagígar
From Reykjavik, simply get on Ring Road 1 heading north and continue for about 460 kilometers. If you drive non-stop, it will take about 5 hours and 40 minutes to reach, but we recommend making stops along the way so as to not miss out on everything else Iceland has to offer.
Take the Public Transport
The easiest way to get to Skútustaðagígar from Akureyri is to jump on Bus 56 and ride it to the Skútustaðir bus stop. It will take roughly an hour, including the walk from the bus stop to the Skútustaðir parking. You will see the craters as you arrive and the trails are right next to the parking area.
Unique Geological Features
We said earlier that this is a landscape that is literally like from another planet, and that’s no lie. Skútustaðagígar Pseudocraters are one of the few places internationally that are known for this phenomenon. In our solar system, there are areas on Mars (yes, the small red planet) that also have the same type of craters.
They have been observed In the Athabasca Valles region on the little red planet, where lava heated up the groundwater trapped in the underlying rocks, creating the craters.
Other areas in Iceland that have these unique geological formations are Landbrotshólar in the Katla UNESCO Global Geopark and Rauðhólar close to Reykjavik. Iceland, being the Land of Fire and Ice, is unique in having these, and they haven’t been observed anywhere else on the planet.
Exploring Skútustaðagígar
Even if you’re not a die-hard fan of geology like we are, you would be sorry to miss out on the opportunity to walk amongst these massive craters. The area is teeming with lush flora and energetic fauna, so it is a must-stop for any lover of nature and rocks.
Hiking at Skútustaðagígar
Halfway through a road trip in Iceland, Skútustaðagígar is going to be a welcomed stop with plenty of easy walks and hiking trails around the craters. In the area, you will find plenty of marked routes, ranging from a short 20-minute walk with no change in elevation to multiple hour-long trails that will take you to the top of some of the craters.
When hiking in Skútustaðir in Iceland, you will be the master of your own adventure and be able to chop and change the hike however you like. It’s like walking in the gardens of Versailles, but instead of trees, hedges, and ornaments, you will be maneuvering between craters that vary in size between a small car and the Versailles Palace.
Skútustaðagígar Flora
As with many parts of Iceland, the landscape is draped in a green, velvet-like blanket of lush moss. At Skútustaðagígar, you will also see plenty of thick grass that the local sheep are happily munching on as they observe the two-legged visitors.
You won’t find an abundance of trees or bushes in the area, but you will see many shoreline vegetation species that are often hard to find in other parts of Iceland.
A Bird-Watchers Holy Grail in Iceland
With this lush vegetation and sheltered body of water, the Mývatn area is renowned for its abundance of birdlife. If you arm yourself with a pair of binoculars and a bird lexicon, you should be able to identify up to roughly 150 individual bird species here.
Some parts of the craters make for excellent cover against the harsh Icelandic weather, and in the summer, you can spend an entire day walking around the Skútustaðagígar area and observing the birdlife.
Best Time to Visit Skútustaðagígar
Depending on what you want out of the experience, the best time to visit Skútustaðagígar will differ. Since large parts of the area are accessible even in the depths of winter, you could technically visit at any time of the year.
If you want to see Icelandic nature wake up after the winter and witness the birds getting busy with nesting, late spring and early summer will be safe bets. The weather might be a little harsh, but with proper clothing and a positive attitude, you can experience the epitome of spring in Iceland.
For the comfortable traveler, summer in Iceland never fails to impress. Middle-to-late summer offers the most vibrant landscape, busy wildlife, and the most comfortable weather. In summer in Iceland, you can spend up to 20 hours exploring the area with the added benefit of the Icelandic Midnight Sun to keep your path lit.
A calm and tranquil visit is best carried out in the Icelandic winter. Some parts of the trails will still be accessible, and if you manage to catch a wind-still day, the absolute silence at Skútustaðagígar is nothing short of therapeutic. The monochrome landscape brought by the snow-covered landscape and the pitch-black volcanic rock is like a fairy tale and prompts a few shots with a camera.
What to Do Close to Skútustaðagígar
The Mývatn area around Skútustaðagígar is full of activities. Below are some suggestions for things to do in the area when you feel finished with the craters:
- Mývatn Nature Baths
- Grjótagjá Cave
- Hverir Geothermal Area
- Bird Museum Sigurgeir
- Dimmuborgir
- The Diamond Circle
- Whale watching in Húsavik
- Hverfjall Explosion Crater
Where to Stay Close to Skútustaðagígar
In terms of accommodation near Skútustaðagígar, you can pick and choose from a cornucopia of hotels, guesthouses, and camping grounds. Below are a few of the options available at different price points:
- Fosshotel Mývatn – for a classic hotel stay. Reasonable price and wide range of amenities.
- Hotel Laxá – a newly opened luxury hotel with plenty to offer for a higher price.
- Skútustaðir Guesthouse – for a budget-friendly stay of the indoor kind.
- Hlið Camping – the most budget-friendly option with WC, kitchen tent, and electricity if needed.
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Experience Skútustaðagígar
There is no reason not to visit this internationally unique area. Skútustaðagígar is in many ways a comfortable way to experience many of the renowned characteristics of Iceland. The best way to experience Iceland is behind the wheel of a car. Before you embark on your adventure, make sure to rent a car in Reykjavik and take charge of your holiday!
