Golden Circle Tour – Gullfoss Waterfall
The Golden Circle is Icelands most popular destination and consists of Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park, the powerful Gullfoss waterfall and the explosive geysir geothermal area.
We booked our Golden Circle Tour with Grayline and our first stop was Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park. In my second post of our Golden Circle Tour, we start back on the coach for the hour long journey to Gullfoss.
Gullfoss (Golden Falls) is one of the most famous waterfalls in Iceland.
There is a large visitor centre which apparently serves the most amazing lamb stew, but as we only had an hour to explore, we headed down the path to see the waterfall in all its glory and it is a real “WOW” moment when it comes into view.
Located in the canyon of the Hvítá river, the waterfall cascades 32 meters down in two stages.
There are two viewing platforms, one which means negotiating a huge metal staircase, which brings you out by the lower, larger waterfall and the other which is a flat walk to the first waterfall drop.
It is worth spending time at both!
The first, shorter cascade is 11 metres, whilst the second drop is 21 metres, meaning that the waterfall does throw a huge spray into the surrounding area, so take your waterproofs!
I was surprised to learn that the waterfall is actually stronger in the summer because its water is fed directly from the Langjökull glacier, but whatever time of year you visit, you just want to stand and watch it, even in the rain!
We also learned some of the history around the waterfall and how an English businessman wanted to turn it into a hydro-electric plant in the early 20th century. Thankfully he was stopped thanks to a very determined environmentalist called Sigríður, whose plaque is displayed close to the waterfall.
It is a fascinating and beautiful place to visit and as I mentioned in my previous post, if you do intend to book a Golden Circle Tour, I would recommend asking how long you will spend in each location as an hour was not long enough and I would have liked to visit the visitor centre and cafe.
To be continued………
Elizabeth Keene
I love all of your photos! It looks like a gorgeous place to visit – and to hike.
Louise
Oh, wow! I’d never heard of the Gullfoss Waterfall before. It looks absolutely incredible. I’d love to take the little ones to see it 🙂
Louise x
Sim @ Sim's Life
That looks so spectacular just from your images, to actually be there in person would be amazing! I am insanely jealous! Definitely on my bucket list to spend some time travelling around Iceland. Good to know about the Lamb Stew, shame you didn’t get to try it, but it is an excuse to return! 😉 Sim x
Catherine Santiago Jose
I have never been there but WOW that place is so amazing and my jaw dropped upon seeing those stunning photos. I hope to see that place someday!
MELANIE EDJOURIAN
It does look like a beautiful place to go visit. Your pictures are amazing, so many great shots of the waterfall.
Catherine
What a gorgeous view of the waterfall! Sounds and looks like a wonderful trip.
Rachael
Oh my days, your photos are breath taking! I’m so glad they stopped a massive plant being built there, what a great shame that would have been.
Charlotte - Mama Makes Do
Those cascades are beautiful! Somewhere I would love to visit (I just want to take a year and travel lol, maybe one day!)
Windy
The waterfall is beautiful! Another place to add to my traveling list.
Michelle J Cantu
That is incredible. I would love to do a road trip out to see the waterfall.
Ashley R
This look s like a divine place to visit. I would love to take my family here.
Rosie - Eco-Gites of Lenault
They look absolutely amazing and dare I say far more interesting than Niagara Falls – just wow!!
Rebecca Smith
That sounds like a fascinating tour! What a beautiful waterfall – if we ever get to Iceland, I will definitely consider this tour.
katrina Kroeplin
wow, great pics. that looks like an amazing time. i know my kids would love to visit some day. will have to check into this more.
kumamonjeng
I can feel that the waterfall is so huge and I have never seen such huge waterfall in my life. I guess you need a poncho 🙂
Laura - Dear Bear and Beany
wow what a beautiful place! I would love to visit Iceland one day, it looks amazing.
ESHR PRKR
Stunning photos! It sure does look cold out there. SO …on to the question nobody’ asking….you didn’t get the lamb stew to go? I’m not happy how this story ended. lol
Kacie Morgan
I’ve love to visit Iceland. Your photos are lovely and I bet the kids loved it too; I wish I had the opportunity to travel more when I was younger.
Yeah Lifestyle
Such a stunning waterfall, the photos look mesmerising and I can’t imagine how you must have felt seeing it in person. I would love to head to Iceland with my family to see this in person
Treasure Every Moment
Oh this takes me back to when we visited Iceland and did this tour a few years ago! Iceland is such a unique country to visit and truly magical 🙂
Bella and Dawn at Dear Mummy Blog
Woweee! What an adventure! We’d love to see the Gullfoss waterfall and it looks spectacular! I bet visiting is good for the soul.
Rachel
What stunning photos. Iceland looks like a beautiful place to visit and that waterfall – oh my goodness!
Rhian westbury
Lovely photos, this is definitely on my wish list for when we go to Iceland. There’s just so much natural beauty there x
L dove
Oh wow these photos are incredible! I think we are going at the end of August or October and I can’t wait!
fashionandstylepolice
I am loving the views here. The pictures are so beautiful.
Charli
Oh my gosh what spectacular views. I’m surprised that it’s faster in summer but I guess that does make sense with melting ice to feed it.
C x
Nicola
Iceland is high up on my travel bucket list and even more so now after seeing that stunning waterfall!
Mudpie Fridays
WOW! I had no idea that there were waterfalls in Iceland. This looks amazing. I would love to visit Iceland one day and will keep this in mind for when we do. Thanks for the tip on checking how long the tour is for.
Jenni
We spent our honeymoon in Iceland and went on the Golden Circle Tour. Such an amazing experience!
Anosa
What an incredible view and I would love to visit this waterfall one day, it sounds likes a nice place to visit.
Melanie williams
I am loving all your pictures. Looks like a fab tour and a great way to see the sites
Laura Schwormstedt
Ooh just watched your video of this place and those waterfalls look incredible!! Breathtaking – what a fantastic experience
Laura x
Janet Robertson-Peverley
Wow! That waterfall is simply stunning. What a wonderful adventure and something to really remember. I have heard so many good stories about holidays in Iceland.
Kira
Wow! These photos are absolutely incredible. What a lovely place . Bet it was such an experience:)
amzy
I look forward more awesome content from you.
Izzy
Great images, thanks for sharing. This is soooo on our to do list!