Gullfoss Falls

About Gullfoss Falls

Gullfoss, the Golden Falls, is a wide waterfall on the Hvítá river in South Iceland and one of the three classic stops on the Golden Circle, roughly 10 km beyond the Geysir geothermal area. The river drops in two stages, first 11 metres and then 21 metres, into a crevice 32 metres deep, so from the upper viewpoints the water seems to vanish into the ground.

Two levels of paths let you see it from different angles. The upper car park sits beside the Gullfoss visitor centre and gives a broad view down the gorge. From there about 100 steps lead to the lower path, which runs along the edge of the falls towards the spray; bring a waterproof jacket, as the mist can be heavy.

The lower path is named after Sigríður Tómasdóttir (1871–1957), whose campaigning in the early twentieth century helped stop plans to harness the falls for hydroelectric power. She is often described as Iceland's first environmentalist, and a memorial to her stands near the falls.

Gullfoss is open all year and both entry and parking are free. In winter, roughly October to April, the lower path is usually closed because ice makes the steps and rocks dangerously slippery, but the upper viewpoints stay open and the partly frozen falls are worth seeing. Early morning or evening is quieter than the middle of the day, when most Golden Circle tours arrive. Most Golden Circle day tours from Reykjavík stop here, usually combined with Þingvellir and Geysir.