Why we send guests to Kerið first

Of all the famous Golden Circle stops, Kerið is the one closest to our front door — about a 12-minute drive south — so it's usually the first place we point guests toward, especially if you arrive in the afternoon and want an easy, rewarding stop before settling in at the cabin. It's small enough to see properly in well under an hour, which makes it ideal for an arrival day or for filling the gap before dinner.

What makes Kerið special isn't its size but its colours. The crater walls glow a deep rust-red, streaked with black and patches of green moss, and they wrap around a still lake that turns an almost unreal shade of aquamarine when the sun is out. We think it looks best in the soft, low light of late afternoon or on the long summer evenings, when the red rock really lights up — bring a camera, you'll use it.

There are two ways to see it, and we'd suggest doing both: walk the level path that loops right around the rim for the wide views, then take the wooden stairway down to the water's edge to feel just how big the crater is from the bottom looking up. The whole visit is a gentle 30–45 minutes. In winter the steps and rim can get icy, so wear proper footwear — and if you forget yours, just ask us at the cabin.

From Northern Lights Cabin

• Distance: ~12 km (7 miles)
• Drive time: ~12 minutes
• Route: Head south on Route 37 towards Selfoss. Kerið is clearly signposted on the left side of the road.
• Parking: Free parking lot right at the crater entrance.

Good to Know

• The rim path is mostly flat and easy to walk — suitable for most fitness levels.
• The descent to the lake is via a stairway — steeper but well-maintained.
• Open year-round, but the path can be icy in winter — wear good footwear.
• Easy to combine with Geysir and Gullfoss further north for a classic Golden Circle day — or pop in on the way to Selfoss for groceries.