Gullfoss, the golden wonder of Iceland’s Golden Circle, was our second stop on day two of our trip. After soaking in the raw, untouched beauty of the historic Þingvellir National Park, we drove to Gullfoss, saving the Geysir for later in the day.
We left Þingvellir National Park around 10:45 AM, making a quick stop at the Hrafnagjá Observation Deck. It is a lesser known fissure in the park, not as famous as the Almannagjá gorge, but it still offers some amazing views of the rift valley, lakes, and lava fields.
The drive to Gullfoss took about an hour and led us through wide-open landscapes, rolling hills, waterfalls, lakes, and distant mountains…. classic Icelandic scenery!!! It was cloudy, and we kept hoping it would stay that way just long enough for us to enjoy the falls. We arrived at Gullfoss around noon.
The parking lot was packed, there were several tour buses lined up too, but luckily we found a good spot, and thank god, no rain. What a relief! The deep, thundering roar, mist blowing high into the sky, and the enthusiastic crowd, made us even more eager to see the falls.
As soon as we got out of the car, we followed the crowd toward the walking path. There are two main paths here, upper and lower. We started with the upper one since it is closer to the parking lot and visitor center. After a short walk, we reached the first lookout… and there it was…. Gullfoss… strong, wild, loud, and absolutely incredible.
The name “Gullfoss” means “Golden Falls”, maybe because the water looks golden in the sunlight, or maybe because of a story about a farmer who threw his gold in to keep it safe. Either way, it is beautiful, impressive, and natural!
Gulfoss is a huge and powerful two-tier waterfall on Hvítá river which is fed by the Langjökull glacier. The water flows over a 70 meter wide edge and drops a total of 32 meters, first 11 meters, then another 21, into a deep, narrow and slightly angled canyon called Gullfossgjúfur. The canyon stretches about 2.5 kilometers, and the way the water flows into it makes it seem like it disappears into the earth. No matter what season, the falls look stunning surrounded by volcanic rock layers, steep canyon walls and Iceland’s wild, untouched landscape.
Next, we made our way down to the lower path. This one gets you up close and personal with the falls. We were blown away, misted with water, and soaked by the time we got there, but who cares!!!. Everyone around us was enjoying it… trying to hold onto their phones, cameras, jackets, hoodies, hats and even sunglasses, while still trying to capture every moment. There is a kind of joy that is hard to explain, that feeling of being so close to something so powerful is what we will remember the most.
Gullfoss was awesome. Even though it is on the popular Golden Circle, it didn’t feel crowded or hurried at all. There was plenty of room to just stand and stare. We spent a good 45 minutes there, moving to different viewing points, breathing in the cold, fresh air, and watching the massive waterfall that has been running forever. It was refreshing, relaxing, rewarding, and reflective too.
After a final stop at the visitor center for a restroom break and a quick look through the gift shop and café, we were back on the road. The next stop, Geysir, was just a short drive away.
Enjoy this slideshow of Gullfoss (Golden Falls) from our visit on June 19, 2025.
Walking the trail toward the Upper Overlook at Gullfoss 
Walking the trail toward the Upper Overlook at Gullfoss 
Gullfoss from upper viewing platform. 
Walking the trail toward the Upper Overlook at Gullfoss 
Gullfoss from upper viewing platform. 
Gullfoss, where the trail meets the roar of the falls. 
A turquoise river flowing through a rugged Icelandic canyon. 
Up-close view of Gullfoss from the lower viewing platform. 
Up-close view of Gullfoss from the lower viewing platform. 
Up-close view of Gullfoss from the lower viewing platform. 
Getting soaked by the power of Gullfoss on the trail. 
A turquoise river flowing through a rugged Icelandic canyon. 
And don’t miss the Quick Facts and Tips below to help plan your visit!
Quick Facts and Tips:
- Best time to visit:
- Summer (June to September): Long daylight hours, mild weather, lush surroundings, easy road access, expect more crowds.
- Winter (November to March): Stunning snowy landscape, great chance to see the Northern Lights, paths may be slippery or closed depending on conditions, fewer crowds.
- Shoulder seasons (May and September): Cooler weather, fewer crowds, and still good conditions for walking and sightseeing.
- Check road conditions at road.is and weather forecasts at vedur.is.
- The park is located about 1 hr 45 min (116 km) from Reykjavík, Iceland and can be reached by a direct route via Route 1 and Route 35 or by starting the traditional Golden Circle loop via Route 36 and Route 37.
- The official website is Gullfoss waterfall.
- No parking fee, no entrance fee.
- The Gullfoss area is open year-round.
- The visitor center, café, and gift shop serve things like soup, sandwiches, and coffee, but they might have shorter hours in winter, so it’s good to check ahead.
- There are two paths with several great viewpoints – The Upper and Lower Path
- The Upper Path
- Close to the facilities (visitor center, restrooms) and fully accessible (flat, paved, ramps), suitable for wheelchairs and strollers.
- Offers a broad, wide-angle view of both waterfall drops and the canyon below.
- Open year-round (unlike the lower path, which closes in winter due to ice).
- Very exposed, expect wind and cold, even in summer.
- The Lower Path
- Uneven, wet, slippery, and muddy with many steps.
- Gives you an up-close, powerful view of the waterfall as it crashes into the gorge below.
- Expect loud sounds and heavy, soaking spray.
- Usually closed during winter.
- The Upper Path
- Allow at least 30 to 45 minutes to fully enjoy the views, take photos, and explore both the upper and lower paths.
- Visit early morning or late in the day for more elbow room, fewer crowds and better light for photos. The golden glow hits just right in late afternoon and early evening.
- Drones are restricted unless you have special permission, it’s a protected area.
- Bring layers, a waterproof jacket, maybe even a spare one. It gets windy and super wet near the lower path. Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes with good grip, as the paths are often rocky, wet from the spray, and very slippery.
- A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the full scale of the falls.
- Carry a small microfiber cloth to quickly wipe the mist off your camera lens or glasses.
- Be sure to pack waterproof covers or bags for your phone, camera, and power bank, as the spray reaches everywhere.
- Stay on marked trails and pay attention to warning signs near waterfalls to protect nature and stay safe.
- Nearby Attractions on Golden Circle day:
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