T
he lake owes its vibrant colors to minerals from surrounding rocks. They mix with the water, making it aquamarine.
Kerid (Kerið) is a volcanic crater lake in the region of Grímsnes in southern Iceland. If you are not planning to go to Askja or Landmannalaugar, this may be the best place to see a lake of this kind.
Kerid geology
According to scientists, Kerið used to be a cone-shaped volcano. Because it ran out of magma its foundations collapsed and thus the current shape was formed. Its exceptional red color is caused by iron ores. The lake, like the crater itself, is rather small – approx. 170 m wide, 270 m in circumference, however, it is as deep as 55 m.
T
he lake owes its vibrant colors to minerals from surrounding rocks. They mix with the water, making it aquamarine.
Kerid — practical tips
- Kerid is not far from Reykjavik – on road 35, about 13 km north from the town of Selfoss.
- There is a free parking area next to the entrance to the crater, but admission costs 400 ISK. The crater is on private property.
- A safe, marked path will take you to the edge of the crater. You can go all the way around it and then descend to admire the pristine water of the lake.
If you have a 4×4 vehicle and you have come in the summer, when mountain roads are open, here are some interesting alternatives to:
- Ljotipollur not far Landmannalaugar – a bigger and a more colorful crater;
- mountain lakes Askja (one much bigger, and the other is warm and you can even bathe in it);
- Viti lake Krafla – smaller and not as colorful but as easily accessible and completely free;
