River Rafting in Gullfoss Canyon

River rafting in Gullfoss canyon takes you down a 7 km stretch of the glacial Hvítá river, through canyon walls and gentle rapids. It's an easy to medium grade run, so it suits most people in good health, including families with older children.

• 3 hours on the glacial Hvítá river, grade 2 out of 5, easy to medium
• 7 km of rafting through canyon walls and rapids
• Full wetsuit, helmet and life jacket provided
• Optional cliff jumping at Brúarhlöð canyon
• Hot tub, showers and sauna at the river base afterwards

Your day, stop by stop

1Arrive at Drumbó River BaseMake your own way to the river base near Selfoss, about 90 minutes from Reykjavík.

The river base is near Selfoss, about 90 minutes' drive from Reykjavík, and you make your own way there. Transport is not included, so plan your drive to arrive at least 15 minutes before the 11:00 or 15:00 departure.

2Drumbó River BaseKitted out with wetsuit, helmet, life jacket and paddle.

You change into a wetsuit, helmet, life jacket, neoprene boots and splash jacket and receive a paddle and a safety briefing before heading to the river. Arrive at least 15 minutes before departure. There are changing rooms at the base.

Facilities · changing rooms

3On the Hvítá riverAbout 7 km of rafting through canyon and rapids.

About 7 km of rafting on the Hvítá, which starts at Langjökull glacier, through canyon walls carved by the river. It is graded 2 out of 5, easy to medium, so no experience is needed. The water is cold glacial melt and the wetsuits keep you warm. The tour takes about 3 hours in total.

Time here · about 3 hours including the stop belowWater · cold glacial melt, wetsuits provided

4Brúarhlöð canyonA stop with the option to try cliff jumping.

At Brúarhlöð the Hvítá river narrows and drops into a tight gorge, where centuries of fast water have sculpted the pale rock walls into rounded pillars and hollows. A road bridge, built in 1959 after two earlier ones were washed away, crosses at the narrowest point, with a good view down into the gorge. It is about 3 kilometres south of Gullfoss, and most Golden Circle tours drive past it, so it is usually quiet. A narrow section of the river with rock formations, where you can get out and try jumping from the rocks if you want to.

Optional · cliff jumping, not compulsory

Read our Brúarhlöð guide →

5Back at Drumbó River BaseWarm up in the hot tub, showers and sauna. There's also a bar and restaurant.

Back at the river base you can warm up in the hot tub, showers and sauna. There is also a bar and restaurant. Bring a towel, as one is not included.

About the river rafting Gullfoss canyon

This trip rafts a 7 km stretch of the Hvítá river, which starts at Langjökull glacier and cuts through canyon walls on its way toward Gullfoss. It's graded 2 out of 5, easy to medium, so no experience is needed, and the pace suits most people in reasonable health rather than being a serious whitewater trip.

The day starts at Drumbó River Base near Selfoss, about 1.5 hours from Reykjavík if you take the included coach transfer. You're kitted out in a full wetsuit, life jacket, helmet, neoprene boots and a splash jacket, then head out on the water for around 3 hours, including a stop at Brúarhlöð canyon where you can try cliff jumping if you want. Bring warm layers to wear underneath the wetsuit, since the water itself is cold glacial melt even in summer.

Afterwards you can warm up in the hot tub, showers and sauna back at the river base before heading back to Reykjavík. The minimum age is 11, and there's no upper age limit for people in good health, which makes it a reasonable option for families with older children looking for a first taste of whitewater rafting.

• Lamb barbecue
• Hamburger and fries
• Vegan burger and fries
• Icelandic beer tasting
• Vegan Wellington
• Towel rental

Questions people ask