Kerid Crater Travel Guide

Kerid is a volcanic crater lake in the Grímsnes area of South Iceland. It is close to the three major sites that comprise Iceland’s world-famous Golden Circle sightseeing route.

Visit this spectacular crater lake on selected Golden Circle tours. For those who rent a car, it makes for the perfect detour for those visiting these landmarks. It can also be visited on more extensive Golden Circle tours and packages such as this one week self drive tour.

Kerid and the Golden Circle

The Golden Circle is Iceland’s most popular tourist route. Its three main highlights are Gullfoss, or the "Golden Waterfall," the Geysir geothermal area, with its many springs and geysers, and Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of the country’s parliament.

Several tour operators offer trips to the Golden Circle. As noted, many of those define their tours from others with extra stops, and Kerid crater is the most popular of these. It is approximately 40-minute drive from Thingvellir and Geysir in different directions, providing visitors with two routes by which they can return to Reykjavik.

If traveling to the Kerid crater alone, please be aware that there is a small entrance fee. This is only to help the landowners preserve and protect the crater; after all, it is on privately owned land.

Other sites you may want to detour on when traveling the Golden Circle are the Solheimar ecovillage, the Fontana Spa in Laugarvatn, the Secret Lagoon in Fludir, and the Fridheimar tomato and horse farm.

Geology of Kerid

Kerid is approximately three thousand years old, making it roughly half the age of most volcanic calderas found in Iceland. This is the major reason why Kerid's slopes are red in color rather than a volcanic black; the iron deposits are, geologically speaking, fresh.

This vivid redness is part of the appeal of visiting this crater. The crimson rocks contrast dramatically with their surroundings, particularly the intense azure color of the waters within the crater lake and the verdant bursts of vegetation.

Kerid is approximately 180 feet (55 meters) deep, 558 feet (170 meters) wide, and 886 feet (270 meters) in circumference. It is possible to take a path right to the crater’s edge, to fully encircle it, and to descend down to the pristine waters of the crater lake.

Many crater lakes can be found nearby, a region known as Iceland's Western Volcanic Zone. The area surrounding it is of barren, stark lava fields, further illustrating the volcanism of the region.

Scientists believe that Kerid was once a cone-shaped volcano. Upon eruption, it is widely believed that the volcano depleted its magma reserve, causing the foundation to fall in upon itself and result in the formation it has today. Of course, this was two thousand years before settlement, so no one is quite certain.

At some point in the centuries following the collapse, Kerid crater filled with water. The resulting lake is between 22 and 46 feet deep (7-14 meters), depending on the time of year and the amount of rainfall.

The reason why the lake is so vividly colored is that the minerals from the rocks seep into and dye the water the aquamarine color for which it is renowned.

Where to Stay Near the Kerid Crater

If you're planning to visit the Kerid crater, staying nearby can help you make the most of your trip in the Golden Circle area. One of the best options is the Hotel Grimsborgir, a 5-star luxury hotel offering a variety of room types, including suites and private apartments. The hotel also features a gourmet restaurant and outdoor hot tubs, perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring.

For a more budget-friendly option, the Sel Guesthouse is a great choice. It's a 20-minute drive away from Kerid, and you can enjoy a homey stay among nature.

Kerid is only a 15-minute drive from Selfoss, the largest town on the South Coast, making Selfoss accommodations a good option. You can stay in Hotel Selfoss, a 4-star hotel located along the Olfusa river. It offers comfortable rooms, a spa, and easy access to nearby attractions.

All these accommodations are within a short drive of Kerid Crater, making them convenient options for your visit.