ICENAVI STOP FIT · ROUTE 35
One short stop for a complete volcanic crater
These scores measure stop value against route cost; check opening and trail conditions before departure.
Little walking is needed, and the landform is immediately recognisable.
Allow at least half an hour for parking, entry and the crater walk.
Rain or snow reduces the lake colour and trail views.
First decide whether you want a crater or another photo stop
Kerið is not a flat viewpoint where you look in and leave. After the entrance, you can take in the full oval crater from above, then follow the steps down to the water; the circuit is not long, but red gravel slopes and wind can slow anyone taking it carefully. If volcanic landscapes interest you, the scale makes this stop worthwhile. If you simply want another waterfall-style attraction on the Golden Circle, Gullfoss carries more weight.
The entrance fee is the cost most easily overlooked. This is not a free national-park pull-off, and the total becomes noticeable when several people are travelling together. My rule is straightforward: if you have already started from Selfoss, paid for the fuel and committed to a full day on the road, the ticket is unlikely to be the main obstacle when you want to see a crater. If you have only one day and want to give every stop proper time, protect the essential sights first.
| Situation that day | Suggested plan | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Clear weather, departing from Selfoss | Allow 30–45 minutes | The light and lake contrast are easiest to see |
| Joining a Golden Circle day tour | Go only if it is already on the itinerary | You cannot extend the group’s departure time |
| Persistent rain or low cloud | Keep it to the upper viewpoint, or skip it | There will be less lake colour and distant depth |
| Frozen conditions and strong wind in winter | Do not descend into the crater; follow conditions on site | A slip on the slope costs more than missing one stop |
| Only 2 hours remain before returning to Reykjavík | Do not force Kerið into the plan | Parking, entry and the return drive will reduce airport or dinner buffer |
Where to place it on the Golden Circle without creating a timing problem
Driving from Reykjavík, the familiar order is Þingvellir, then Geysir and Gullfoss, followed by Kerið on Route 35 on the way back. The advantage is that the stops needing more time come first, while Kerið becomes a short stop if you still have energy on the return leg. If you detour to Kerið first thing, crowds or worsening weather at Gullfoss in the afternoon leave you with less room to adjust.
When using the Golden Circle destination page to check distances, separate driving time from time out of the car. The Kerið parking area is close to the entrance, but you still need time to find a space, buy a ticket, put on a jacket and manage the slope; a 10-minute stop on a map does not automatically stay 10 minutes in Icelandic wind. If you are staying around Hvolsvöllur hotels, Kerið can sit in a south-western half-day before the South Coast. If you are staying in central Reykjavík, do not set dinner reservations too tightly.
SelfossSupplies / accommodation baseKeriðRoute 35 craterGullfossCore attractionFor the least stressful plan, put Kerið on the Route 35 return leg. Finish Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss first, then see how much time you have left. Starting from Selfoss, you can visit the crater first and continue north towards Gullfoss; that direction works if you are staying on the eastern side of the Golden Circle or around Hvolsvöllur. On a day tour, stops usually have fixed time limits, so attractive lake colour is not a reason to extend the visit. If you want time to walk down to the water, a self-drive day or private car gives you more flexibility.
There is also a version of the day when it is not worth the fee
If you simply want volcanic scenery, the lava fields and Þingvellir rift along the Golden Circle already offer free geological views. Kerið’s advantage is its complete shape and the short route down to the water, which concentrates both the photographs and the decision. The fee buys a clear landform theme, not extra facilities. For a first Iceland visit with only one day, treat it as an add-on when the schedule allows, not as the day’s main event.
If you planned two hours at Gullfoss but wind and rain leave you only 45 minutes, keep time for the viewpoint trail and getting safely back to the car. Missing one crater does not undo the Golden Circle; missing a reservation, dinner or the next hotel is the cost your itinerary will actually feel. To compare the timing logic of a full-day drive and a day tour, continue with how to choose a Golden Circle day tour. If you have decided to drive, Golden Circle day return or one-night stay deals directly with the next accommodation decision.
How to decide on the day whether to go down to the water
When you arrive, first check the wind and ground from above, then decide whether to take the steps. For older travellers, young children or anyone in ordinary city shoes, the upper path is enough; the crater shape is most complete from that height. After going down to the water, you still have to climb back up, so do not treat having descended as a reason to complete the whole circuit. Icelandic weather changes quickly. Once you have the images you need, leaving can preserve options for the next stop.
Use Hong Kong dollars and New Taiwan dollars as a rough mental budget: assuming an entrance fee of a few hundred Icelandic króna per person, that is about HK$20–30 or NT$80–120. The actual amount is set by the on-site price on the day. This is not an expensive activity, but it becomes a real short-stop cost for a larger group; if every stop has a fee, the total for a Golden Circle day rises well above the fuel-only figure. Keeping the budget for a glacier activity, snorkelling or a hot spring you genuinely want will usually make a bigger difference.
Check accommodation after adding the Golden Circle
To reduce the drive back to Reykjavík, compare rooms and cancellation terms in Selfoss or Hvolsvöllur.
Last questions before you leave
How much time should I allow for Kerið?
Allow about 20 minutes for the upper viewpoint alone. For the descent to the water, photos, ticket purchase and getting dressed for the conditions, 30–45 minutes is more realistic.
Can I get there without driving?
Kerið is outside the city walking area. You will usually need a Golden Circle tour or a private car; do not treat it as a Reykjavík city attraction.
Is it still worth visiting in the rain?
Light rain can still leave the upper outline visible. Low cloud and strong wind flatten the lake and crater-wall layers, so on a full schedule you can give the time to an indoor stop or a more central attraction.
How do the Kerið entrance fee and parking work?
There is parking beside the entrance. Buy your ticket after parking, then enter; from the upper viewpoint to the water and back to the car, allow roughly 30–45 minutes. The entrance fee is a few hundred Icelandic króna, approximately HK$20–30 or NT$80–120, for budgeting only. Use the on-site price on your departure date.