Gullfoss
The Golden Falls - a mighty two-tiered waterfall thundering into a rugged canyon, the grand finale of Iceland's Golden Circle.
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Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
Gullfoss, the Golden Falls, is one of the most powerful and beautiful waterfalls in Iceland, where the glacial Hvita river drops in two great tiers, turning at a right angle, into a rugged canyon amid clouds of spray. On a sunny day rainbows arc over it, and in winter it half-freezes into ice sculptures, the grand finale of the Golden Circle.
What you actually see
- The two-tier falls - the great double cascade into the canyon.
- The viewing paths - the walkways above and close to the thundering water.
- Rainbows and spray - the rainbows on sunny days and the drenching mist.
- Winter ice - the frozen edges and ice formations in the cold season.
When to go
Year-round; sunny days bring rainbows, winter brings ice, and the falls thunder in any season. Early or late avoids the coach crowds.
Honest expectations
It is a busy Golden Circle stop, so the viewpoints are crowded in season. The paths get wet and, in winter, icy and slippery, so tread carefully. It is a short but spectacular stop.
Nearby
Geysir is minutes away; the Golden Circle loops back to Reykjavik via Thingvellir.
What to pack for Gullfoss
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
