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- Rim walk and panoramic viewpoints — the easy path around the crater gives you constantly changing angles: the lake tucked below, the scalloped red walls, and wide Icelandic sky. Great for low-effort exploring and — personal favorite — finding a quiet bench to sit and watch the light shift.
- Emerald-blue crater lake — the water’s color can swing from jewel-green to deep teal depending on sunlight and algae, making the center of the crater feel almost unreal. It’s the visual punch that keeps people snapping photos.
- Red volcanic slopes and vivid contrast — the iron-rich tuff and volcanic rock create a rare, rusty-red rim that plays off the green moss and blue water. That color combo is what makes Kerið visually unique compared with many other Icelandic sites.
- Descent to the lake — stairs
- Rim walk and panoramic viewpoints — the easy path around the crater gives you constantly changing angles: the lake tucked below, the scalloped red walls, and wide Icelandic sky. Great for low-effort exploring and — personal favorite — finding a quiet bench to sit and watch the light shift.
- Emerald-blue crater lake — the water’s color can swing from jewel-green to deep teal depending on sunlight and algae, making the center of the crater feel almost unreal. It’s the visual punch that keeps people snapping photos.
- Red volcanic slopes and vivid contrast — the iron-rich tuff and volcanic rock create a rare, rusty-red rim that plays off the green moss and blue water. That color combo is what makes Kerið visually unique compared with many other Icelandic sites.
- Descent to the lake — stairs and shoreline — you can walk down to the crater floor (there are maintained steps), which gives a totally different scale and lets you examine the rocks, moss and water up close. It’s a quieter, more intimate perspective than the rim.
- Golden hour and reflection shots — morning or late-afternoon light softens the reds and deepens the lake’s color, ideal for long shadows and mirror-like reflections. Plan it right and you’ll avoid crowds and get the most dramatic photos.
- Geological story — a volcanic crater, not a glacier hole — Kerið is a volcanic crater (a maar-like feature) formed by explosive eruptions. That origin gives it steep, clean walls and the vivid mineral colors that tell a geologic story in plain sight.
- Easy access and short visit payoff — it’s a compact site with a short walk from parking, so you can visit on a tight budget or squeeze it into a Golden Circle day without special gear or a long hike. There’s usually a small entry fee and basic facilities nearby.
- Seasonal moods — winter ice vs. summer greens — Kerið changes character with the seasons: a partially frozen lake and stark light in winter, lush moss and brighter water in summer. Visiting more than once will feel like seeing a different place.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.