Kerid (Kerið) is a volcanic crater lake in the Grímsnes area of southern Iceland, and one of the stops most travelers add to the Golden Circle. 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. It ran out of magma, the ground beneath it gave way, and that is how the bowl you see today was formed. Its striking red color comes from iron ores in the rock. The crater is rather small – about 170 meters (560 feet) wide and 270 meters (890 feet) long – but it drops a good 55 meters (180 feet) down to the water.
Kerid — practical tips
- Kerid is an easy drive from Reykjavik – on road 35, about 13 km (8 miles) north of the town of Selfoss, right on the Golden Circle route.
- There is a free parking area next to the entrance to the crater, but admission costs 700 ISK (about $6). The crater is on private property (source: kerid.is, prices September 2026).
- 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 Kerid:
- Ljotipollur near Landmannalaugar – a bigger and a more colorful crater;
- the lakes in the Askja caldera (one of them is much bigger, and the other is warm and you can even bathe in it);
- Viti lake at Krafla – smaller and not as colorful, but just as easily accessible and completely free.
