A question often asked about Iceland is, Is a trip to see the Gullfoss Waterfall worth it? I say yes, certainly. Why? Let me show you.
What you will be going to see is a series of waterfalls on the Hvítá river that is fed from the Langjökull Glacier. From this area you gave a good 360 degree panorama of the surrounding landscape as well as good access to the waterfalls. The falls themselves are not huge but big enough, and the close proximity makes them ideal whether you want a damp close up experience, or stand back and admire from a more comfortable spot.
The lower parking area has easy access to the lower path leading to the viewing platform. From there you can also ascend the steps to the upper carpark and visitors centre. This is June of course, things will be a lot different when snow and ice are on the ground. The large coaches will go to the upper carpark where there is much more space and still the option of the upper or lower pathways to the falls.
The path towards the rocky viewing platform is good but once you get to the platform, the rocks are uneven and will be wet and slippy with all the spray. If you want the full-on, thunderous noise and spray then this is your target. Photographers may need to protect expensive cameras and lenses and have a lens cloth that can cope with the inevitable moisture.
On the lower path you will find a plaque of Sigríður í Brattholti, Sigridur from Brattholt. Her full name was Sigríður Tómasdóttir, the woman who saved Gullfoss. A fiercely determined woman whom saved these falls for the nation from the hands of unscrupulous developers, although the story had an unusual twist.
On the upper level car park is the Gullfoss Visitors Centre. This has an extensive area of the usual shopping, restaurant, café and rest rooms. From the visitors centre you get a good panoramic view around the area, but you need to take a short walk to see the falls properly. The upper walkway to the falls is flat and accessibility is good. It is a short walk of just a few hundred yards to get a grandstand view of the falls. Considerably drier, too.
Looking north from the visitors centre is the Langjökull Glacier, Icelands second largest. These large glaciers are an amazing sight to see.
This volcanic landscape surrounding the glaciers is what makes Iceland unique and the epitome of ‘Ice and Fire’. It certainly does lure in the inquisitive from afar.
If you have the time, then there are specialist tours running with specialist vehicles that will take you both onto and under the ice. Sadly, no time for us on this tour, but one I would definitely come back for.
Back in the the visitors centre, tea and sandwiches are put on for the coach tours. Otherwise, you can always pay for a good hot meal in the restaurant. The shops are full of Icelandic apparel and worth a look around. I managed to get the definitive guide to Icelandic birds for a decent price, something that would come in very useful on our cruise home.
Next stop on the Golden Circle, back to Geysir Hot Springs.
