Kerid , Iceland

Driving along Route 35, we passed the Kerið crater lake, a striking volcanic caldera located in the Grímsnes area of South Iceland. After parking the car, we paid the 400 ISK entrance fee and began our walk along the rim of the caldera, taking in the vivid colours of the crater walls and the deep blue water below.

The volcanic rock around Kerið glows in deep shades of red, almost surreal against the pale, frozen surface of the crater lake. Standing on the rim, you really feel the scale of it—the caldera drops about 55 metres, its steep walls curving dramatically down to the water below.
From the car park, a narrow path winds its way toward the lake, following the only flank gentle enough to walk. It’s also the only side where a bit of hardy vegetation clings on, adding a touch of green to an otherwise raw and rugged landscape. The rest feels wild, exposed, and unmistakably Icelandic.

Kerið isn’t just a geological wonder; it has a quirky cultural side too. Thanks to its incredible acoustics, the crater has hosted a handful of concerts over the years. The most famous moment came in 1987, when Björk performed from a floating platform right in the middle of the lake—an unforgettable setting for an unforgettable voice.

Kerið is one of those places that surprises you with its simplicity and its beauty. The moment you step onto the rim, the contrast hits you—the deep red volcanic rock, the steep caldera walls, and the still, blue (or frozen white) lake resting quietly at the bottom. It’s dramatic without trying to be, and incredibly photogenic in any season.