Gullfoss

The grand finale of the Golden Circle. The Hvítá River plunges 32 meters in two tiers into a canyon, and on sunny days rainbows hang in the mist. It is one of Iceland's most spectacular waterfalls.

Gullfoss means 'Golden Waterfall.' It lies at the eastern end of the Golden Circle, 10 kilometers from Geysir. The Hvítá River, fed by the Langjökull glacier, first drops 11 meters, then turns 90 degrees and falls another 21 meters into a canyon 70 meters deep and 2.5 kilometers long. In summer the flow reaches 140 cubic meters per second, and rainbows often form in the spray in sunlight. The site has two viewing levels. The upper viewpoint, beside the parking lot, offers a full view of the waterfall and canyon. From the lower level, a path leads to a rock platform in the middle of the falls, where you can feel the mist and roar up close. You will get wet, so wear a waterproof jacket. The upper visitor center has a restaurant (its signature dish is lamb soup), a gift shop, and free restrooms. Parking is free. A monument above the falls honors Sigríður Tómasdóttir, who fought in the early 20th century to stop foreign investors from building a hydroelectric plant at the falls. She is regarded as a pioneer of Icelandic environmental protection. Entry is free. For a Golden Circle day trip, save Gullfoss for last. From there you can drive south on Route 35 and stop at the Secret Lagoon (Flúðir hot spring, about ISK 3,900) on the way back, or head north on the Kjölur highlands road (summer 4WD only). In winter the lower path is often closed due to ice, so you can only view the falls from above. When the wind is strong, spray blows across the parking lot, so keep cameras waterproof.

Gullfoss

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