Why Kerið Is the Most-Added Fourth Stop
Kerið is a 270 metre-wide volcanic crater on the southern leg of the Golden Circle route, sitting roughly 15 minutes off the path between Reykjavík and Þingvellir. It formed about 3,000 years ago when a scoria cone collapsed in on itself, leaving a steep-walled bowl whose iron-rich rim glows electric red against the surrounding moss. At the bottom, a still turquoise lake fills the cooled magma chamber. The walk down and back takes about half an hour. The whole stop, including viewpoint photos from the rim, runs 30–45 minutes.
It's the single most popular add-on to a classic Golden Circle tour for two reasons. First, the colour: the red-and-turquoise contrast is one of the most distinctive landscape photographs you can take in southern Iceland. Second, the geometry: Kerið sits almost on the route, so adding it adds visual variety without adding meaningful driving time.
Other Experiences You Might Enjoy
Beyond Kerið crater, many visitors pair their Golden Circle day with an afternoon at the Secret Lagoon or Blue Lagoon, a snorkel between tectonic plates at Silfra, or a Friðheimar tomato-farm lunch. The widget below surfaces live availability for these add-on experiences departing Reykjavik.
What "Classic + Kerið" Actually Means on a Tour Page
In practice, "Classic + Kerið" is a labelling convention more than a separate category. The vast majority of full-day Golden Circle tours include Kerið by default — they just don't always put it in the title. The tours collected here are the ones that explicitly name Kerið as a stop, which usually signals one of two things:
- A bundled-value pick — the operator wants you to see they include the four-stop route rather than the basic three-stop version, often at the same price.
- A small-group format — most Kerið-titled tours are minibus or Sprinter operations rather than full coaches, with capped numbers and more guide interaction.
The pricing premium for explicitly Kerið-titled tours over basic classic tours is small ($5–$25). The real reason to pick one is usually the group format rather than the stop itself.
The Kerið landowner charges a small admission fee (~$5 per adult) that some operators include and some don't. If you're comparing two near-identical tours, check whether the "Includes" section mentions Kerið entry — that closes the gap on the apparent price difference.
Who This Category Suits
Photographers who want one more high-contrast landscape on the day, people who like the small-group format anyway, and anyone who has already decided they want a slightly more thorough Golden Circle than the bare three-stop coach.
The BusTravel #1-selling tour at the top of this list is the most-reviewed Golden Circle tour on the entire platform — over 25,000 reviews averaging 4.8★. If you want "the most-validated way to do the Circle with Kerið," it's already been picked for you.
Walking Kerið: The Rim and the Descent
The Rim Walk
A well-maintained trail circles the crater rim — roughly 270 metres around, taking 15–20 minutes at a leisurely pace. The path is mostly flat but narrows in places and has no railing, so watch your footing, especially with children. The most dramatic angles are from the western rim looking east.
The Descent to the Lake
On the northern side, a wooden staircase of roughly 130–140 steps leads down to the water's edge in 5–10 minutes. Standing inside the crater, with the walls rising around you, is a completely different experience from looking down into it. Swimming is not permitted.
How Long You Need
Allow 20–30 minutes for the rim walk, or 45–60 minutes if you also descend to the lake. Most guided tours allocate 20–30 minutes.
How It Formed (And Why It's Red)
Kerið was not blasted out by an explosive eruption. It began as a cone-shaped volcano that exhausted its magma chamber; with nothing left to support it, the ground above collapsed inward — a caldera collapse, the same process behind Yellowstone, at miniature scale. Groundwater later filled the floor, which is why the lake level tracks the water table rather than recent rainfall.
The colour is what stops people. At roughly 3,000–6,500 years old, Kerið is young by Icelandic standards, and the iron in its walls has not had time to oxidise and darken to the usual black. Rust-red slopes against blue-green water and bright green moss produce a palette that looks almost artificial.
Practical Details
| Detail | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Location | Route 35 (Biskupstungnabraut), Grímsnes area, signposted from the road |
| From Reykjavík | Roughly 70 km, about one hour by car |
| Entry fee | Around 600 ISK per adult; children free under a certain age. Parking free. |
| Hours | Daylight hours year-round — roughly 8am–9pm summer, 10am–5pm winter |
| Facilities | Parking, ticket kiosk taking cards, information board. No café. |
Stay on the marked paths — the rim is fragile and cutting across it accelerates erosion. The descent is slippery when wet and ices over in winter, so pack traction footwear from November.
Where Kerið Fits on Your Golden Circle Day
Driving Clockwise (Þingvellir → Geysir → Gullfoss)
Kerið works best on the return leg. After Gullfoss, head south on Route 35 and the crater appears on your left about 45 minutes down the road. Continue to Selfoss and Route 1 back to Reykjavík. Late-afternoon light deepens the red of the walls.
Driving Counterclockwise (Gullfoss → Geysir → Þingvellir)
Kerið becomes your first stop. Drive east on Route 1, turn north on Route 35, and the crater arrives before Gullfoss — often before any other visitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. It takes 20 to 30 minutes, costs only a few dollars, and is one of the most photogenic places on the Golden Circle. Many visitors say they almost skipped it and are glad they did not.
No. Swimming is prohibited for safety and environmental reasons. The water is near freezing year-round, there are no lifeguards, and the crater ecosystem is protected.
The rim path is largely flat and manageable for most visitors, though it is uneven and gravelly in places and has no railing. The descent to the lake involves steep stairs and is not wheelchair accessible.
Many tours include it, but not all. Some add Kerið as a fourth stop alongside Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss. Check the itinerary before booking, and whether the entry fee is included.
Kerið is unusually accessible, colourful thanks to its iron-rich red walls, and well preserved. It is not the largest or deepest crater in Iceland, but it is the most visually dramatic of the easily reachable ones.
No. Drone use over the crater is prohibited and can result in a fine.
Facilities are minimal: a parking area, a ticket kiosk and the crater paths. There is no café or gift shop. The nearest full facilities are in Selfoss, 15 minutes south, or at the Geysir centre.