Kerið
Crater Volcanic crater lake in Iceland with vivid colors
In southwest Iceland, Kerið is a volcanic crater lake ringed by oxidized red and black rock; tourists stop en route on the Golden Circle to walk the rim and peer down at the blue-green water.
Kerið is a volcanic crater lake in the Grímsnes area of Iceland’s Southern Region, notable for its colored volcanic rock and a permanent lake in the crater floor. The feature formed during Holocene volcanic activity and is part of the regional volcanic zone.
The crater measures roughly 170 meters across with a slope down to the lake and a maximum rim-to-lake depth of about 55 meters. Paths allow a full rim walk and a short descent to the lake for close-up views of the water and surrounding red and black volcanic strata.
The crater formed in a volcanic eruption rather than by a collapse. Its present shape and lake are the result of post-eruption subsidence and later water accumulation; it has been a visible landscape feature since human settlement of the region.
The site sits in the Grímsnes volcanic district in southern Iceland, located on the popular Golden Circle touring route between larger settlements in the south. Parking and a small visitor area are provided at the roadside access point.
- Access: A walking path runs around the rim and there is a short stair path down to the crater floor for closer views of the lake.
- Timing: Best visited in summer for ice-free water and clearer paths; winter conditions can make the rim slippery.
How to Get to Kerið #
Kerið is on Iceland’s Route 35 (part of the Golden Circle), about a 1-hour drive from Reykjavík. There is a small carpark adjacent to the site and a short, waymarked path to the crater rim and steps down to the lake shore.
Tips for Visiting Kerið #
- Aim for early morning or late afternoon to avoid the midday crowds and to get richer colors on the crater lake.
- Park at the Kerið carpark on Route 35 (Golden Circle) and follow the short path; the walk from the carpark to the rim is under 10 minutes.
- Visit the rim and then the lake shore-many visitors miss the lower viewpoint which gives a different perspective on the crater's red slopes.
Best Time to Visit Kerið #
Kerið is best visited in summer for access and milder weather; shoulder seasons offer fewer tourists and better light for photography.
Weather & Climate near Kerið #
Kerið's climate is classified as Subpolar Oceanic - Subpolar Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 13°C. Abundant rainfall (1183 mm/year), wettest in February, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 1°C and lows of -4°C. Significant rainfall (107 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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February
February is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -3°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (113 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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March
March is cold with highs of 3°C and lows of -2°C. Significant rainfall (112 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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April
April is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 0°C. Regular rainfall (80 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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May
May is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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June
June is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 13°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 13°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (108 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 5°C. Regular rainfall (99 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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October
October is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (112 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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November
November is cold with highs of 3°C and lows of -1°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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December
December is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -3°C. Significant rainfall (112 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
