Kerið is a volcanic crater lake in the Grímsnes area of south Iceland, located along the Golden Circle route around 15 kilometres south of Þingvellir. The crater is 55 metres deep, 170 metres wide, and 270 metres long, with steep red volcanic walls and a shallow aquamarine lake at the bottom. There is a small admission fee to enter the site.
About Kerið
Kerið formed approximately 6,500 years ago when a cone-shaped volcano emptied its magma chamber and collapsed inward, creating the oval caldera that exists today. The crater sits at the northern end of a row of volcanic craters known as Tjarnarhólar and lies within Iceland's Western Volcanic Zone, which extends from the Reykjanes Peninsula to the Langjökull glacier.
The crater walls are a distinctive red colour caused by iron-rich volcanic rock that has not fully oxidised. Green moss covers much of the slopes, and the lake at the bottom shifts between shades of blue and aquamarine depending on the season and mineral content of the water. The lake depth varies between 7 and 14 metres throughout the year, reflecting groundwater levels rather than rainfall. There is no surface outlet from the lake.
A path runs around the full rim of the crater from the car park, and wooden steps lead down one side to the lake at the bottom. The walk around the rim takes around 15 to 20 minutes. The descent to the lake and back adds another 10 to 15 minutes. The full circuit including the lake is manageable in under an hour.
Visiting Kerið
Kerið is privately owned and charges an admission fee of 600 ISK per person. Children under 12 enter free. The car park directly beside the crater is free. Opening hours are approximately 8am to 9pm in summer and 10am to 5pm in winter, though these can vary -- check the official Kerið website before visiting.
The site is open year-round and is accessible by standard car. No specialist equipment is needed for the crater walk. The steps down to the lake can be slippery in wet or icy conditions.
Getting to Kerið
Kerið is located around 75 kilometres from Reykjavík, roughly one hour by car via Route 35. It sits just off the Golden Circle route between Selfoss and Þingvellir, making it a straightforward addition to a Golden Circle itinerary. Most visitors stop here as part of a half-day or full-day Golden Circle trip rather than as a standalone destination.
Kerið is not currently included as a scheduled stop on Iceland Tours packages, but self-drive itineraries that cover the Golden Circle pass close by and allow you to add it as a stop at your own pace.
