Kerid Crater: Worth it?

Kerid Crater is one of the main stops off the Golden Circle and perfect for those who want to see a beautiful landscape, but prefer a short walk to a longer hike.

The crater was our last planned stop after a full day of driving and exploring the rest of the Golden Circle, that we were debating skipping it. But the thought of FOMO sunk in and the fact that we didn't know the next time we will be back in Iceland, so we made the visit.

The parking lot is very small and fills up quickly, but since it is a short stop, people are coming and going constantly. The entry fee for the crater is 400isk per person (April 2023). Once you pay, there are a few stairs to get to the start of an easy trail (less than a mile) that loops around the crater. The landscape is very Mars-like with dusty red rocks, which made for a great contrast with the teal water below.

There are stairs you can take right down to the edge of the lake to get an upclose look at the calming water if you want.

So was it worth the stop? I would say yes. I think it is a very unique landscape and if you've never seen a crater before, then go. However, I do think that if you don't have the time and have to choose one thing to cut from a day on the Golden Circle, then I would cut it.