Kerid Crater: Iceland's Volcanic Caldera on the Golden Circle

Kerid Crater sits along Route 35 in southwest Iceland, roughly 15 kilometers north of Selfoss, and it stops most people in their tracks. The vivid contrast between the rust-red volcanic rock, the jet-black obsidian gravel, and the turquoise-green lake at the bottom is almost disorienting the first time you see it. Unlike many Icelandic natural landmarks that require a long hike or a 4x4, Kerid is right beside the road and easy to reach year-round. That accessibility doesn't make it feel lesser. It's one of the most visually striking spots on the Golden Circle route, and it deserves more than a five-minute stop.

Why Kerid Crater Matters

Kerid is estimated to be around 3,000 years old, which makes it relatively young in geological terms. Most volcanic craters of this type form when a magma chamber empties and the ground above it collapses inward. The result here is a near-perfect oval bowl, roughly 55 meters deep, 170 meters wide, and 270 meters long. The lake at the bottom sits at approximately sea level, fed largely by the surrounding groundwater table rather than by rainfall alone.

What sets Kerid apart from Iceland's other volcanic features is the color. The crater walls are layered in shades of deep red, burnt orange, and charcoal black from the volcanic minerals in the rock. Against a blue sky, the whole thing looks almost artificial. In winter, when snow caps the rim and the lake freezes, the palette shifts entirely.

In 2004, Icelandic musician Björk performed a concert on a floating raft on the lake, with the audience watching from the crater rim above. It's that kind of place.

Quick Facts

• Location: Route 35, approximately 15 km north of Selfoss, southwest Iceland
• Crater dimensions: roughly 270 meters long, 170 meters wide, 55 meters deep
• Age: estimated at around 3,000 years old
• Entry: small admission fee required (one of the only natural sites on the Golden Circle that charges entry)
• Open year-round, though conditions vary significantly by season
• Time needed: 30 to 45 minutes for a full circuit of the rim and a walk to the lake
• Facilities: small parking area and basic toilet facilities on site

Getting There

Kerid sits directly on Route 35, which is the main road connecting the Golden Circle sites in this part of Iceland. If you're driving the classic Golden Circle loop from Reykjavik, Kerid typically comes near the end of the route, about 15 minutes south of Flúðir and roughly an hour's drive from the capital depending on traffic and stops. You won't miss the turnoff. There's a small car park right beside the road and the crater is visible almost immediately from it.

Public transport to Kerid is limited. Some organized Golden Circle bus tours include it as a stop, so if you're traveling without a car, check whether your tour itinerary lists it specifically. Many budget Golden Circle bus tours skip it or treat it as an optional add-on. Renting a car gives you the most flexibility, especially if you want to spend longer than the standard tour allows.

The Layout and Experience

From the car park, a short path leads you directly to the crater rim. The full loop around the rim takes about 15 to 20 minutes at a comfortable pace. The path is mostly gravel and packed earth, though some sections can be slippery when wet or icy. Sturdy shoes are worth wearing regardless of the season.

A separate path leads down into the crater itself, winding along the inner wall to the lake shore at the bottom. This descent takes roughly 5 to 10 minutes and gives you a completely different perspective. From down there, the crater walls tower above you and the scale of the place becomes clear in a way it simply doesn't from the rim. The lake water has an almost otherworldly green-blue color that varies slightly depending on the light and time of year.

Most visitors do both: the rim walk first, then the descent to the lake. If you only have time for one, the rim walk offers the fuller panoramic view, but the descent is the more memorable of the two experiences.

Best Time to Visit

Kerid is accessible in all four seasons, and each one offers something different. Summer brings the longest daylight hours and the greenest surroundings, which makes the red crater walls pop even more. It's also the busiest period, and the car park can fill up around midday when Golden Circle tour buses arrive. If you're driving yourself, arriving before 10am or after 4pm in summer tends to mean far fewer people on the rim.

Autumn softens the light and thins the crowds noticeably. Winter visits are genuinely spectacular if conditions cooperate. Snow on the crater rim and ice on the lake transforms the color palette completely, and on clear days the low winter sun catches the volcanic rock at sharp angles. That said, the path around the rim can become icy and the descent to the lake may be closed or inadvisable. Check conditions before you go.

Spring is underrated. The snow melts unevenly, leaving patches of white against the red volcanic rock, and tourist traffic is lighter than summer without the full unpredictability of winter.

Photography Tips

The best light for photography at Kerid is in the morning or late afternoon when the sun hits the crater walls at an angle rather than washing them out from directly above. The red and orange mineral colors in the rock are most saturated in lower-angle light.

For a full crater overview shot, position yourself on the far rim from the entrance path. That gives you the widest view and keeps the descending path and other visitors out of your frame. From inside the crater at lake level, shooting upward toward the rim with the sky behind it produces a dramatic composition, particularly if there are clouds. A polarizing filter, if you shoot with one, helps with the lake's reflective surface and deepens the blue of the water.

In winter, arriving just after sunrise can give you the crater largely to yourself and the light at its most dramatic.

Tickets and Entry

Kerid is privately owned, and unlike most of Iceland's natural attractions, it charges a small admission fee. Payment is collected at a small booth near the car park entrance. The fee is modest and covers basic site maintenance. Cash is usually accepted but card payment tends to be the more reliable option in Iceland generally. Children often enter at a reduced rate or free, depending on age, though it's worth confirming this at the booth.

No advance booking is required. You simply pay on arrival.

Combining with Nearby Attractions

Kerid fits naturally into a full Golden Circle day trip. The classic route pairs it with Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area in Haukadalur, and Gullfoss waterfall. Kerid typically works best as a final stop on the loop before heading back toward Selfoss and Reykjavik, since it sits at the southern end of the route.

The Flúðir hot spring area, known as the Secret Lagoon, is roughly 20 minutes north of Kerid along Route 35 and makes a logical pairing if you want to end the day with a soak. Selfoss itself, about 15 kilometers to the south, has decent options for a meal after a long day of driving.

Practical Tips

• Wear waterproof footwear. The path to the lake can be muddy or icy depending on the season.
• The rim path is mostly flat but has uneven sections. It's manageable for most fitness levels but not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs.
• Wind on the crater rim can be strong. A windproof layer is useful even on sunny days.
• There are no food or drink vendors on site. Bring water and snacks if you're on a long Golden Circle day.
• Arrive early or late in summer to avoid the main tour bus crowds.
• The descent to the lake adds meaningful time and perspective. Don't skip it if you have 45 minutes to spare.
• Mobile signal is generally fine along Route 35 in this area, but don't rely on it for navigation in more remote stretches nearby.

FAQ

Is Kerid Crater worth visiting?

For most travelers already doing the Golden Circle, yes. The entry fee is small, the walk is short, and the visual impact is genuine. It's one of the few places in Iceland where the colors of the volcanic rock are this concentrated and accessible without a long hike.

Can you swim in Kerid Crater lake?

Swimming in the lake is not permitted. The water is also extremely cold year-round, fed by groundwater rather than geothermal sources, so it lacks the warmth of Iceland's famous hot springs.

How long should I spend at Kerid?

Around 30 to 45 minutes covers the rim walk and the descent to the lake comfortably. If you're a photographer or want to sit quietly on the rim for a while, budget closer to an hour.

Is Kerid Crater suitable for children?

Generally yes, with supervision. The rim path is open and unfenced in places, so younger children need to be watched carefully near the edge. The descent to the lake is manageable for older children but can be slippery.

Is Kerid included in Golden Circle tours?

Not always. Some organized tours include it, others treat it as an optional stop. Check your specific tour itinerary before booking if Kerid is a priority for you.