Introduction
The island country of Iceland is famous for hot springs, geysers, glaciers, flaming mountains and a host of waterfalls. Of all these natural attractions, there is one which has become an icon, the first and the most famous one – Gullfoss Waterfall. Of all the remarkable waterfalls I have seen within the famous Golden Circle route I consider Gullfoss one of the most powerful and beautiful. This fantastic waterfall is one of the biggest attractions for any traveler in Iceland and shows once again power of the nature on this island. Here we go through the history and geology of Gullfoss Waterfall and then walk through the various aspects of visiting this exquisite site.
What is Gullfoss Waterfall?
Gullfoss Waterfall: A Natural Wonder
It encompasses more than just water plunging 20 meters down to create a waterfall, but it is a show. This spectacular waterfall avails itself of the Hvítá river and cascades down in two sections; the whole spectacle being truly enchanting. The initial drop is made to a pool 11 meters (36 feet) deep and the second 21 meters (69 feet) into a rocky channel. The amount of water being let through to create the falls does spray all the time, because of this the site is exploited with natural rainbows during sunny moments. Gullfoss itself is set amidst rushing waters, black basalt rocks and colourful, vegetative surroundings making it an ideal place for photographers.
Where is Gullfoss Waterfall Located?
Finding Gullfoss: Your Journey to the Golden Circle
Gullfoss is set in southwest Iceland; it can be reached within 115 kilometers (71 miles) drive from Reykjavík. Located at the center of the Golden Circle which is a famous route for tourists in that part of the world that has several outstanding geological features. This makes it easily assessable for day excursions from the capital city.
The second wonders of the Golden Circle are the geothermal area of Geysir which comprises active geyser hot spring and Þingvellir National Park, which is an UNESCO’S World Heritage site spot that is famous for the history and geological features. Gullfoss is situated a short 90-minute car ride from Reykjavík and is located in between Geysir and Þingvellir, which is why people usually do a Golden Circle loop visiting all three sights in one day.
Regardless of whether you decide to rent a car and do this yourselves or whether you go on an organized tour, Gullfoss Waterfalls are very easily reachable and should not be missed by anyone coming to Iceland.
How was Gullfoss Waterfall Formed?
The Geological Story of Gullfoss Waterfall
As it will be seen, Gullfoss Waterfalls are the creation of strong forces of nature prevailing in Iceland for centurie The story starts with Hvítá river which rises from the Langjökull the second largest glacier in Iceland. Sitting in South America, the massive volume of the water from the melting glacier has great erosional force.
The Hvítá river has also been flowing through the region and over the thousands of years it has sculptured the arid contours of the land to form the canyon in which lies Gullfoss. The waterfall is formed by two stages and it is caused by the fact that the river comes across one layer of rock that differs in erodibility from another layer. The springs at the softer rock eroded faster and this gave the steep cliffs today.
Dip down the Gullfoss, and the walls are made up of basalt, a volcanic rock that forms when lava cools. It is impossible not to mention the abundance of basalt in the landscapes of Iceland; this stuff speaks about the volcanic activity of the island. The black columns of the basalt as seen in Gullfoss also plays a dual role of beautifying the waterfall scene but also give people a glimpse of what geologists would consider structurally of this beautiful forming waterfall.
The History and Legends of Gullfoss
Gullfoss Through Time: History and Legends
It is also more mysterious than, say, Gullfoss Waterfall, which is a stunning beauty spotted with history and legends. There is a very interesting legend associated with the falls, that a farmer named Gygur used to live in this region. Local belief of old times has it that Gygur was a man of considerable fortune, perhaps one of the richest, who was known to have buried his chest of gold somewhere. He knew his treasure would be taken from him when he was going to die and he chucked the chest in the Gullfoss which is why it means ‘Golden Falls’. The story of the buried treasure thereby gives the park some historical mystique although it has been suggested that the story is untrue.
However, to relax the sense of the people of Iceland in the 20th century the following relatively recent event shows Gullfoss to be relevant to the Icelandic people. In the early year of 20th century, the foreigners wanted to control the potential of Gullfoss in the generation of hydroelectric power. A local farmer’s daughter Sigríður Tómasdóttir did not agree with these plans at all. Scared that the project might proceed, she threatened to commit suicide by tossing herself into the Gullfoss falls: the Icelandic word for waterfall.
Through Sigríður and her legal fights and determination the waterfall was saved from being destroyed. Today she is a celebrated heroine in Iceland and there is a statue near Gulfoss to honour her work. This story is a reflection on the values the Icelanders convey regarding their relation to nature and its protection.
Visiting Gullfoss Waterfall
Planning Your Trip to Gullfoss Waterfall
Regardless of the season, you can visit Gullfoss Waterfall but, there are some tips and tricks to improve your visit. Here’s a breakdown of key considerations:
Best Time to Visit
- Summer (June-August): Summer endures as the best season because of favourable weather conditions, especially on the number of hours of daylight. But it’s also the high season for tourists, thereof expect a higher number of people.
- Winter (December-February): This is probably the most amazing season to visit Gullfoss since the waterfalls freeze over partially and the surrounding countryside is dusted with snow. As far as weather goes it can be a problem, but the crowds are more manageable and the views are something special.
- Spring (March-May) and Autumn (September-November): These shoulder seasons prove as quite fine with good weather, fewer crowds and may be cheaper with than the high Season.
How to Get There
- By Car: This is by far the most convenient means since it provide the freedom to move around the Golden Circle at the renter’s desired pace. It takes close to 1.5 hours to get there, by car, from Reykjavík on good paved roads.
- Bus Tours: Many page tour operators provide differently themed bus tours of the Golden Circle, including the Gullfoss. This is a good thing if you don’t like to drive or if you don’t own a car to use to get to the internship place.
- Guided Tours: It is possible to also use a small group guided tour in order to enhance the quality of the services you are going to receive. The above kind of tours may afford more history, geology, and a sneak peek of the culture of the region.
What to Expect
- Viewing Platforms: One of the attractions of waterfall Gullfoss is that there are several observation decks from which the waterfall can be viewed from virtually any angle. The main platform has the view to the whole length of the waterfall, while the second one is closer to the water and has a view on the water flow.
- Paths: The paths all lead to the viewing platforms, and therefore the structure is easily accessible to all kinds of visitor. But do not expect a flat country, roads can be bumpy and may be slippery in winter time.
- Facilities: A part of the visitors’ center area there is a café, restrooms and another small shop with souvenirs. Products on the menu are Icelandic which is good news for visitors looking to grab a snack after having toured the falls.
Important Note: Safety should always be on top of everything and one should not transverse beyond the set boundaries. It is worthy to note that there is nothing as capricious as a fall and the surrounding environment.
Photography Tips for Gullfoss Waterfall
Capturing the Beauty: Photography Tips for Gullfoss
Tourists of Gullfoss Water Fall are extremely privileged with majority of them getting an opportunity to take beautiful shots with their Camera. Here are some tips to help you capture its beauty:
- Vary Your Angles: Try out a different view. Aim at the upper levees for the general outlook of the waterfalls or walk to the lower levee for a closer view of the falling water.
- Capture the Scale: Opt for the foreground figures or objects to make a viewers’ eye grasp the impressive size of the waterfall.
- Play with Light: The best light conditions are favorable in the morning or late in the evening when the sun is at or just above the horizon. It is also interesting that overcast days are interesting as well since they do not allow making interesting framing.
- Embrace the Rainbow: Related to this, if you are privileged to see a rainbow try to focus a camera on the rainbow. Polarizing filter should be used for improving the colors.
- Consider a Wide-Angle Lens: Widening your lens widens your view or scene especially if you are aiming to capture the whole waterfall inclusive of it’s environment.
- Don’t Forget the Details: To pull this off, zoom in for the textures of the water, the rather interesting basalt rocks formation, and the vegetation.
Pro Tip: Do not expose your camera and all the materials you use to take pictures to the water which comes from the shower style waterfall. Camera filters include such things as a lens hood and, if you will be shooting in the rain, a rain cover.
Other Activities near Gullfoss Waterfall
Exploring Beyond Gullfoss: Nearby Attractions
While Gullfoss is a highlight of the Golden Circle, don’t miss the opportunity to explore other nearby attractions:
- Geysir Geothermal Area: Watch the Strokkur geyser blow in every few minutes, which releases a stream of hot water into the atmosphere. Take a tour of the shallow water hot pools and the fuming chimneys that make this area famous.
- Þingvellir National Park: Learn about the cultural impact and geographical features of this marvel you can find in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Lose weight between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates and explore the country’s viking past at the Althing site.
- Secret Lagoon: Take a dip in this hot water natural pool believed to be very soothing with scarcity of noise.
- Hiking Trails: There are several trails which hikers can take in the region because the area provides picturesque view of the surrounding environment. The Bruarfoss waterfall famous for its-blue water is amongst the hiking places to visit when in the region.
- Friðheimar Tomato Farm: Visit this restaurant where kitchen butterflies are served in heated green house where tomatoes are grown throughout the year using geothermal heat.
Tip: It is suggested that a few days should be spent around the Golden Circle to experience the variety of things as well as landscapes to offer.
Conclusion
Gullfoss Waterfalls, the Golden Falls of Iceland is one more sensational natural spectacle on the earth. The virgin waterfalls powerful, FREE cascading water roaring over the cliffs, the reputed stunning canyons and the magnificent rainbows that often accompany them makes it truly memorable. But Gullfoss are also a historical and cultural values for Icelandic people, as GEYSIR represents the history of interaction between the people and nature.
Regardless of whether you’re drawn to it by the harsh, majestic appearance, interested in the features of the rocks around, or inspired by the history of the area’s preservation, the waterfall of Gullfoss is a place you have to visit in Iceland. Therefore, plan a holiday, take the challenge and stand to be amazed by the Golden Falls.
References
- Guide to Iceland: https://www.thediscoveriesof.com/gullfoss-waterfall-iceland/
- Iceland Travel: https://www.visiticeland.com/
- Visit Iceland: https://www.visiticeland.com/
