Skjaldbreidur is a shield volcano formed in a massive eruption 9,000 years ago, located northeast of Thingvellir. Shield volcanoes are created when extremely fluid lava flows from a single crater and its slopes in all directions, forming a cone-like structure that appears almost identical from any angle. The thin lava travelled great distances, reaching as far as Thingvellir, where it now lies beneath younger lava flows.
Iceland has three major shield volcanoes: Trölladyngja, north of Bárdarbunga in Ódádahraun; Stóra Vítisdyngja in the southern part of Öxarfjördur; and Skjaldbreid above Thingvellir, the second largest. Skjaldbreid is protected as a natural heritage site due to its unique formation.
From Skjaldbreidarvegur (F338), accessible only by larger jeeps, it takes about three hours to hike to the summit of Skjaldbreid. The view from the top is stunning, offering sights of Thingvellir to the west and south, Langjökull (Iceland’s second-largest glacier), Thórisjökull, Kerlingarfjöll, and Hofsjökull to the north.
Skjaldbreid, 03/12/2024 – A7R IV, RX1R II – FE 1.4/85mm GM, FE 2.8/100mm GM, 2.0/35mm Z
Photos & Text: Páll Stefánsson
