Gullfoss waterfall

About Gullfoss

Gullfoss means “Golden Falls”. The name is usually explained by the golden-brown colour the glacial water takes on in sunlight, and by the rainbows that often hang in the spray on bright days. The Hvítá (“White River”) flows from Langjökull, Iceland’s second-largest glacier, and at Gullfoss it turns sharply and drops in two steps into a deep, narrow canyon.

Because the river is fed by melting glacier ice, the waterfall is at its biggest and loudest in summer. In winter the flow is lower and parts of the falls and canyon walls freeze into huge ice formations, which makes it a completely different sight. Whatever the season, you feel the spray and hear the roar long before you reach the edge.

Just above the falls the river runs down a low, wide staircase of three steps, then makes its two big drops of 11 and 21 metres into a crevice that runs across the river’s path. From some angles the Hvítá seems to vanish into the ground. Unlike many Icelandic waterfalls, which you look up at from below, Gullfoss is seen from above, so the whole scene is laid out in front of you: the steps, both drops and the canyon carrying the river away.

Quick facts

The woman who saved Gullfoss

In the early 1900s, foreign investors wanted to use the power of Gullfoss for a hydroelectric plant. Tómas Tómasson, the farmer at nearby Brattholt and part-owner of the falls, refused to sell but agreed to a lease that would have let the project go ahead. His daughter Sigríður Tómasdóttir was strongly against it. According to the well-known story, she walked all the way to Reykjavík several times to fight the contract and even said she would throw herself into the falls if a dam was built.

Sigríður lost her case in court, but the investors lost interest, the rent stopped being paid and the lease lapsed in 1928. The dam was never built. Her foster son later sold the falls to the Icelandic state, and Gullfoss was made a protected nature reserve in 1979. Sigríður is often called Iceland’s first environmentalist, and a memorial to her stands near the upper path at the falls. Keep an eye out for it on your way down.

How to get to Gullfoss

Past Gullfoss, Route 35 becomes Kjölur (F35), a highland road across the interior. It is open only in summer and only for 4x4 vehicles, so for most visitors Gullfoss is the turning point of the Golden Circle.

Viewpoints and walking

Gullfoss has two main viewing areas, and it is worth seeing both.

For wheelchairs and pushchairs, the lower car park gives the gentlest route towards the falls. The stairs between the two levels are the steepest part. In winter the lower path is often closed because of ice. Please respect the ropes and signs.

Best time to visit Gullfoss

Time of day matters more than season. Most day tours arrive between late morning and mid-afternoon, so early morning or evening gives you a much calmer visit, and softer light for photos.

Safety and practical tips

• Stay behind the ropes. The canyon edges are steep and the rock can be slippery from spray.
• Bring a waterproof jacket. The spray reaches the lower path, even on sunny days.
• In winter, wear good boots and bring ice spikes. They make a big difference on the paths.
• Flying drones in protected areas like Gullfoss needs permission from the Environment Agency of Iceland.
• Check the weather and road conditions on vedur.is and umferdin.is before you drive, especially from October to April.
• The café at the visitor centre is a good lunch stop. It is known for its Icelandic meat soup.

Facilities and accessibility

The visitor centre by the upper car park has a café and restaurant, a souvenir shop and toilets. The upper viewpoint is easy to reach from there. The lower path is uneven and has stairs, so it is harder for anyone with limited mobility. There is no fuel station at Gullfoss; the nearest are around Geysir and Reykholt.

On the map

Nearby places worth a stop

GeysirStrokkur erupts every few minutes · about 10 kmÞingvellir National ParkTectonic plates and Viking historyKerið craterRed crater with a blue-green lakeFaxiWide, low waterfall on the Tungufljót riverFriðheimarGreenhouse tomato farm with lunchBrúarhlöð canyonA quiet gorge on the Hvítá riverLaugarás LagoonGeothermal lagoon near Laugarás

Where to stay near Gullfoss

If you want to see Gullfoss without the crowds, stay the night nearby. There are hotels and guesthouses at Gullfoss itself, around Geysir, and in the villages of Reykholt, Flúðir and Laugarvatn. Staying in the area also means a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights away from city lights in winter.

Gullfoss FAQ