Gullfoss — The Golden Waterfall

Iceland's Most Spectacular Waterfall

The Gullfoss ("Golden Waterfall") is one of the most powerful and beautiful waterfalls in Europe. The glacier river Hvítá (fed by the Langjökull glacier) plunges in two stages (11 + 21 meters = a total of 32 meters) into a 70-meter deep and 2.5 km long gorge — with a force that makes the ground vibrate beneath your feet. In summer, an average of 140 cubic meters of water per second flows over the edge (up to 2,000 m³/s in early summer during snowmelt!).

In sunshine, rainbows form in the spray — sometimes even double — and in winter, the surroundings transform into an unreal ice sculpture when the spray freezes on the rocks.

What makes Gullfoss unique: Due to the angled gorge, the water seems to disappear into nothing. The gorge runs at a right angle to the river, so you only see the massive abyss when you get closer. From a distance, it looks as if the river simply ends.

Two Viewpoints

• Upper Platform: From the upper parking lot, 5 min walk. Overview of both stages from above. Best for photos with the mountains in the background. Accessible year-round
• Lower Platform: From the lower parking lot (summer only), down the stairs. You stand almost at eye level with the water and feel the spray on your skin — the power of the water masses is overwhelming here. More spectacular, but you'll get wet! Often icy and closed in winter

The Story of Sigríður Tómasdóttir

In the early 20th century, British investors wanted to use Gullfoss for a hydroelectric power plant. They leased the waterfall from the landowner Tómas Tómasson. His daughter Sigríður Tómasdóttir was horrified and fought against the project for years. She threatened to throw herself into the waterfall, walked barefoot to Reykjavík (120 km!) to consult lawyers, and wrote petitions to the government. Her lawyer Sveinn Björnsson — later Iceland's first president — eventually won the case in court.

Sigríður is considered Iceland's first environmentalist. A memorial plaque at the waterfall and a bronze relief plate at the upper viewpoint honor her. Without her fight, Gullfoss would be a reservoir today.

The Hvítá River

Above Gullfoss, the Hvítá River offers rafting tours (class 2–3, suitable for beginners) and in winter, snowmobile tours on the Langjökull glacier, from which the river originates. A rafting tour (3–4h, from 13,990 ISK/93€) is a fantastic complementary experience to the Golden Circle.