KeriðAbout Kerið
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.
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -4° - 1° | -8° | 107 mm | overcast | 92% | 7.7 m/s | 0.0 low | 5.0h |
| February | Poor | -3° - 2° | -7° | 113 mm | overcast | 91% | 7.8 m/s | 0.0 low | 8.2h |
| March | Poor | -2° - 3° | -6° | 112 mm | overcast | 89% | 7.5 m/s | 0.2 low | 11.5h |
| April | Poor | 0° - 6° | -2° | 80 mm | overcast | 86% | 6.7 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 14.9h |
| May | Poor | 3° - 9° | 3° | 77 mm | overcast | 82% | 6.0 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 18.2h |
| June | Acceptable | 6° - 12° | 6° | 77 mm | overcast | 81% | 5.6 m/s | 1.1 high | 20.4h |
| July | Acceptable | 8° - 13° | 11° | 81 mm | overcast | 81% | 5.3 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 19.3h |
| August | Acceptable | 8° - 13° | 10° | 108 mm | overcast | 83% | 5.3 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 16.1h |
| September | Poor | 5° - 10° | 4° | 99 mm | overcast | 87% | 6.1 m/s | 0.3 low | 12.8h |
| October | Poor | 2° - 7° | 0° | 112 mm | overcast | 90% | 6.4 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.5h |
| November | Poor | -1° - 3° | -4° | 105 mm | overcast | 92% | 6.7 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.0h |
| December | Poor | -3° - 2° | -7° | 112 mm | overcast | 92% | 7.4 m/s | 0.0 low | 3.6h |
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.