The Short but Beautiful Kerid Crater Hike, Iceland

Not far from Reykavik and part of the Golden Circle, the gorgeous blue water at the bottom of this Crater makes the short and easy Kerid Crater Hike a must-do on your visit to Iceland. This was our first stop after picking up our campervan and it was a great way to stretch our legs with a beautiful short hike.

The short hike is just under a mile and walks right around the rim of the crater and follows a series of steps down to the small lake at the center of the lake.

See everything you need to know about visiting the Golden Circle. or see our 7 day Iceland Itinerary: Driving the Amazing Ring Road

Quick Look at the Kerid Crater Hike

Distance:0.9 miles
Elevation: 120 feet gain
Difficulty: Easy

The Kerid Crater is generally believed to be a volcanic explosion crater formed about 6,500 years ago. Some scientists also think that it was a volcanic cone that erupted and once the magma reservoir was depleted, it collapsed on itself. The water stays at the same level as the water table so changes slightly throughout the year. The crater itself is not very tall and as you drive up to the area, you will hardly notice the crater. This makes it an easy hike with very little elevation gain.

For more on the geology of Iceland, visit Iceland on the Web.

To visit the Kerid Crater, you can park directly next to it, pay an entrance fee and take the short walk around the crater rim and down to the lake. The water is a beautiful blue that changes based on the angle and the sun.

While we loved this hike, there fee to visit is a bit steep compared to the other sites in the area. While we think it’s worth it, if you are trying to choose what to see on the Golden Circle and are short on time, this may be one to skip since it’s expensive.

Things to Know about the Kerid Crater Iceland

Where is the Kerid Crater?

The Kerid Crater is located 15 km from Selfoss off route 35. If you are coming from Reykjavik, take route 1 and turn left onto Biskupstungnabraut for about 13 km. Parking at the Crater is in a small lot with no facilities besides a small pay station. The lot does fill up, but since the hike is short, you will likely just need to wait for a few minutes to get a spot.

What is the Cost to Visit the Kerid Crater, Golden Circle, Iceland?

As of August 2022, the cost to visit the Kerid Crater is 400 ISK per person (kids under 12 are free). The Crater is located on private property and the fee goes to help maintain the area. Please make sure to leave no trace and respect the signage.

What is the Best Time of Year to Visit the Kerid Crater?

The best time to visit the Kerid Crater is during the summer months when the vegetation surrounds the crater rim and contrasts with blue water. It is possible to visit the crater in the colder months, but it is less impressive in the winter when the water is frozen and the trail can be slippery.

Is Visiting the Kerid Crater Worth It?

Visiting the Crater and doing the Kerid Crater Hike is a great stop if you are driving and stopping at sites along the Golden Circle. It is a lovely walk and very pretty, but is not worth driving here just to see the crater. We would recommend making this one of many stops along the Golden Circle.

The Kerid Crater Hike

The Kerid Crater Hike is easy, quick, and rewarding. The roughly 1-mile hike starts right at the parking lot. From here you can decide whether to walk around the rim first or take the steps down to the center of the Crater. We started with a walk around the rim.

Some of the best views and places to take photos are on the far side of the rim (depending on the sun) so it is worth walking around. The path is generally easy, but use caution on the rocks if it is raining as some areas can get slippery. Make sure to respect signage as there were several areas roped off to help with erosion.

After making the lap around the Crater, it is definitely worth taking the steps down into the Crater. There are a few places to sit and you can walk around the water a bit. When we visited on an early morning in June, the parking lot was mostly full, but the trail felt did not feel crowded, even down by the water. There is no swimming along the Kerid Crater Hike.

Looking for another great hike on the Golden Circle? Check out Bruarfoss Waterfall. This hike leads to several waterfalls and takes about 2.5 hours.

See more nearby sites on the Golden Circle:

• Gullfoss
• Geysir Geothermal Area
• Secret Lagoon