Kerid Crater

A Collapsed Volcanic Cone

Kerid (Icelandic: Kerid) is a volcanic crater lake in the Grimsnes area of southern Iceland, roughly 75 km east of Reykjavik along Route 35. The crater is approximately 6,500 years old, making it about half the age of the surrounding volcanic formations in Iceland's Western Volcanic Zone. Unlike explosive volcanic craters, Kerid formed when a cone volcano depleted its magma reservoir and the empty chamber collapsed inward, creating the bowl-shaped caldera visible today.

The crater measures approximately 270 meters long, 170 meters wide, and 55 meters deep. Its near-perfect elliptical shape and steep walls make it one of the most visually striking volcanic formations along the Golden Circle route.

Red Rock and Turquoise Water

What sets Kerid apart from other Icelandic craters is the dramatic color contrast. The crater walls are composed of red and orange volcanic rock, the result of iron-rich minerals oxidizing over thousands of years. Against this warm-toned amphitheatre sits the crater lake, which shifts between deep aquamarine and milky turquoise depending on the light and season. The lake is 7 to 14 meters deep and its level fluctuates with the local groundwater table rather than with rainfall, which is why the water remains clear rather than murky.

The relative youth of the crater means the rock has not yet been fully covered by moss and vegetation, preserving those vivid reds and oranges that make it so photogenic. Most Icelandic craters of greater age have long since been blanketed in thick green moss.

Walking the Rim and Descending to the Lake

A well-maintained path circles the entire rim of the crater, offering different perspectives of the lake and surrounding landscape from every angle. The full loop takes roughly 15 minutes at a relaxed pace. On the western side, a wooden staircase descends to the lake shore, where you can stand at water level and look up at the towering crater walls. This vantage point gives the strongest sense of scale and is worth the climb back up.

The site is one of the few natural attractions in Iceland that charges an entry fee. As of 2025, admission is ISK 700 (approximately EUR 5) per person, with children under 12 entering free. The fee funds maintenance of the paths, staircase, and parking area.

Bjork and the Crater Concert

Kerid gained an unexpected cultural footnote when Icelandic musician Bjork performed a concert here in 1987, singing from a floating platform on the lake while the audience watched from the crater slopes above. The natural amphitheatre shape of the crater provided remarkable acoustics. Similar concerts were held in 2004 and 2005, taking advantage of the same natural sound properties. While no regular concerts take place today, the story adds a layer of character to an already memorable stop.

Practical Information

Kerid makes for a quick and rewarding stop that pairs naturally with a Golden Circle drive. The parking area is free and sits directly next to the entrance. There are no facilities beyond a small ticket booth, so plan accordingly. The crater is open year-round during daylight hours, with the most dramatic colors visible on sunny days when the turquoise water contrasts sharply against the red rock. In winter, the lake occasionally freezes over, creating a different but equally striking scene with white ice framed by dark volcanic walls.