Kerið Crater Admission

FromISK 600

Selfoss, Iceland

About this activity

Kerið Crater, formed 6,500 years ago, is a striking volcanic caldera in Iceland’s Western Volcanic Zone. Its red rock slopes, covered in green moss, surround a vivid aquamarine lake. Unlike explosive craters, Kerið collapsed after its magma chamber emptied.

Highlights

Geology
Nature
Volcanic Crater
Conveniently on the Golden Circle

Full description

Kerið Crater was formed 6,500 years ago and lies at the northern end of a row of craters known as Tjarnarhólar. It is part of the Western Volcanic Zone which also includes the Reykjanes peninsula and Langjökull Glacier. The caldera is approximately 55 m deep, 170 m wide, and 270 m across, and is made up of a unique red volcanic rock.

Visitors to Kerið will be able to hike down one of its sloping walls blanketed with deep green moss, and admire the stunning aquamarine lake at the bottom. The lake is shallow, but its vivid color is due to minerals from the soil.

Kerið was not formed by a volcanic explosion, but rather a cone volcano that erupted and emptied its magma reserve. The weight of the cone then collapsed into the empty magma chamber, creating the current crater. The water in the bottom of the crater is at the same level as the water table and is not caused by rainfall.

Included / Excluded

Parking
Admission

Important information

Know before you go

Be prepared for changing weather conditions; sturdy shoes and layered clothing are recommended.
Plan for around 30–60 minutes to fully enjoy the site.
The rim trail is an easy walk, and the descent to the lake involves a moderate, gravel path.

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts

Up to 24 hours before the beginning of the activity: full refund Less than 24 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: no refund

Reviews

4.6(1,757 reviews)

Lara Neto

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5.0

Experience of a lifetime We had an absolutely incredible experience on this 6-day tour of Iceland! From breathtaking landscapes to flawless organization, everything exceeded our expectations. Each day was filled with adventure, with stops at stunning locations - glaciers, waterfalls, black sand beaches and the mesmerizing Northern Lights! Our guide (Throstur) was extremely professional, attentive and knowledgeable about every detail of the country. The itinerary was well-planned, striking the perfect balance between adventure and comfort. I highly recommend this experience to anyone looking to explore Iceland authentically and stress-free. A truly unforgettable trip, thank you Artic Adventures!

Marian Kooy

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5.0

Fantastische gletsjerwalk met onze guide Anja van Arctic. Ze vertelde ons veel over de gletsjer en er was genoeg tijd voor het maken van foto’s. Was hier ook heel behulpzaam bij. Ze heeft oog voor de hele groep en of iedereen oké is. Top!

Dorian Nadal

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5.0

Une expérience magnifique avec Kévin et Rob pour une randonnée + escalade sur glacier durant 6h30. C'était une journée magique, et ils ont été absolument adorables, sympathiques et à l'écoute, tout en étant très compétents. 5 étoiles c'est trop peu pour ce qu'on a vécu :) Merci infiniment. Dodo et Lulu