Kerið
Grímsnes, Iceland
A red volcanic crater about 55 m deep with a green lake at the bottom, beside route 35. The landowners charge a small entry fee; a path circles the rim and steps lead down to the water.
Kerið, in the Grímsnes area of southern Iceland, is a crater lake on the Golden Circle, close to the Biskupstungnabraut road (Route 35). The crater is about 55 m deep and elliptical, roughly 170 to 270 m across. The lake at the bottom is 6 to 14 m deep depending on the groundwater level, and dissolved minerals give the water a turquoise colour. The walls are made of basalt and red scoria. Kerið is the northernmost of four craters along the 800 m Tjarnarhólar fissure, and its age is put at roughly 6,400 to 9,000 years.
One wall is gentler and covered in thick moss, making it easy to reach the water. The site has belonged to the company Arctic Adventures since 2023, and an entrance fee is charged (as of October 2026). The crater combines well with Geysir, Gullfoss and Þingvellir on a day trip.
- Nearest town
- Grímsnes, Iceland
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 64.0413, -20.8853
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Iceland: No motorway tolls for cars. Many roads are gravel; F-roads need a 4×4. Motorway limit for cars: 90 km/h.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Útilífsmiðstöð skáta ÚlfljótsvatniCampsite10 km from KeriðElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Gesthús SelfossCampsite13 km from KeriðWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Tjaldsvæðið Í HveragerðiCampsite15 km from KeriðTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- LaugarvatnCampsite21 km from KeriðTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Tjaldsvæðið á EyrarbakkaMotorhome stopover24 km from KeriðMotorhomes
- VatnskotCampsite25 km from KeriðTents
All campsites in Iceland · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Kerið?
Kerið is in Grímsnes, Iceland, at GPS 64.0413, -20.8853. It is about 15 km from Hveragerði.
Can you camp near Kerið?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Hraunborgir, about 4 km away; within 25 km there are 15 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Kerið?
Kerið is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Iceland’s Golden Circle: Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss.
What is there to see near Kerið?
Places worth a stop nearby: Skálholt (20 km), Þingvellir (27 km), Geysir and Strokkur (41 km) and Gullfoss (49 km).
When is the best time to visit Kerið?
Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)