Golden Circle Route

Golden Circle tour Þingvellir, Efstidalur, Friðheimar, Geysir, Strokkur, Gullfoss.

Gullfoss

Gullfoss – The Iceland’s Most Popular Waterfall This awe-inspiring waterfall is located on the Hvitá River. However, it was once rented to produce energy and later sold to the Iceland Government. A young farmer threatened to jump on the waterfall if it was sold to produce energy. Due to his actions, the waterfall was preserved and a rock monument was built there to honor his heroic act, which you can admire as well. Now, this waterfall serves as a beautiful landmark for visiting tourists. Gullfoss is high on the radar of tourists to visit which makes it Iceland’s signature waterfalls. It is also part of the Golden Circle. While also being the most amazing waterfalls in Europe because of its unique water flow and dimension, it also seems to vanish inside the earth, until the land next to the waterfall. It is formed due to two huge plaques fractures that formed an 11, 21, and 32 meters fall. The waterfall is situated at a 110 km distance from Reykjavik from road 35. The journey consists of around 1 hour and 30 minutes in total. It is relatively easy to get to Gullfoss since many buses run daily from Reykjavik, and if you’re planning your own excursion then a 4 x 4 car is not required. The roads are mostly in good condition during summer, but care should be taken during winter. Recreational Activities: You can take a peaceful stroll on the wooden boardwalk from the waterfall. There are two viewpoints, from above and below. Watching the waterfall from above is an interesting perspective as it feels like the waterfall is vanishing underground. You can also walk down the wooden boardwalk to watch the waterfall from downwards. Both of these viewpoints are equally spectacular. However, it is advised to wear a rain jacket as the water might drench you, but it’s a risk you must be willing to take to experience the waterfall at its full bloom. Places to stay: There are many activities that you can part take to keep yourself invested in. Gullfoss has a beautiful hotel at a 5 minutes distance; you can rest there and later enjoy a warm cup of coffee at a nearby café. At night if you are in luck you can catch a glimpse of the majestic Northern Lights that are visible in the night sky. Golden Circle: As previously mentioned Gullfoss is a part of an interesting route called Golden Circle. Therefore, you can easily add a few more locations and detours to your itinerary. You can visit Thingvellir National Park, Haukadalur, and geyser geothermal zone in just one day. These places can fit perfectly in your schedule if you choose not to spend too much time in each place. Conclusion: Gullfoss is a true miracle in nature, the stream of water cascading over the rocky outcrops, and the vibrant flora surrounding it is a sight to behold. This place should be on your radar if you are ever visiting Iceland, as it is worth exploring and all the praise that it can garner.