05 Jan Visiting Gullfoss Falls in Iceland

Do not pass up the opportunity to visit Gullfoss falls while in Iceland. The two-tiered waterfall cascades into a canyon, and visitors are able to walk right up next to it. There is a waterfall lookout beside the parking lot, but those seeking a little more adventure can walk the 1.3 mile out and back trail to the falls. We even saw a rainbow over the falls! However, we did get fairly wet. The mist from the falls sprays everywhere, including right over the path. Bring some boots and a raincoat to keep dry. 

If you would prefer to not handle the logistics of visiting Gullfoss, then book a tour of the Golden Circle. The vast majority of tours include a stop at Gullfoss as well as multiple other attractions within the Golden Circle.

Contents:

1) Location of Gullfoss Falls 

2) Opening Hours and Entrance Fee

3) The Best Time to Visit

4) Quick Facts

5) Background

6) Viewpoint and Trail Information 

7) Recommended Items to Bring

8) Nearby Attractions

1) Location of Gullfoss Falls

Gullfoss was one of the first waterfalls we visited after we arrived in Iceland. Its convenient location within the Golden Circle fit perfectly within the itinerary for our first day. First we started out with snorkeling at the Silfra fissure, and then we checked out Öxarárfoss and Almannagjá. Next we made a quick stop at Geysir Hot Springs before heading over to Gullfoss. Gullfoss is located at the top of the Golden Circle. 

Due to its location, visiting Gullfoss is possible if you are in Iceland for a whole week or even just a weekend. It is less than a two hour drive from Reykjavík and just over a two hour drive from Keflavík International Airport.

Parking

There is an upper as well as a lower parking lot for Gullfoss falls. We parked at the upper lot and then had to walk down a set of stairs to reach the trail for the falls. Honestly, we did not even know the lower lot existed. However, the lower lot is closer to the falls. Park there if you want a shorter walk. For some good news, there is no parking fee. 

Next to the upper parking lot there is a small café and shop. Stop for a quick bite to eat or buy souvenirs to take back home for friends and family. 

Nearby Lodging

For nearby accommodations, check out Skyggnir Bed and Breakfast or options in the town of Bláskógabyggð. We stayed at Skyggnir Bed and Breakfast our first night in Iceland, and we would definitely recommend it to others. 

For additional recommendations, check out some of the best hotels in the Golden Circle as well as the most romantic hotels in Iceland.

Rainbow over Gullfoss Waterfall

2) Opening Hours and Entrance Fee

Gullfoss falls is open to visitors all day, every day. There are no hourly or holiday restrictions. Therefore, you can visit at 2:00pm or 2:00am. 

Additionally, there is no entrance fee nor is there a parking fee to park in either of the lots for Gullfoss. Yay for free, beautiful attractions! However, let us each do our part to keep this attraction beautiful by respecting signs, staying on the trail, and picking up after ourselves. 

View of Gullfoss Waterfall from the path

3) The Best Time to Visit Gullfoss Falls

If you would like to avoid the crowds, plan to visit Gullfoss falls in the early morning or evening. The peak visit time is often in the afternoon, which is thus when you would encounter the most crowds. 

Best Season to Visit

Let me start off by saying that Gullfoss looks beautiful in all seasons. In summer you will see the sun shining down on the falls, possibly even with the addition of a rainbow.

On the other hand in winter, the water is partially frozen and the surrounding scenery is covered in snow. It thus looks like a winter wonderland. However, it is also possible the trail to the falls will be closed in the winter due to unsafe trail conditions. You will thus not be able to get as close to the falls as you would in the summer season.

Estimated Visit Time

Plan for at least one hour to visit and truly enjoy the beauty of Gullfoss falls. There is a 1.3 mile out and back trail to the falls, which will take you around 15 to 30 minutes round trip to complete. We visited in the summer and thus had to deal with the peak crowds. That being said, it took a bit longer for us to walk along the trail because it was so crowded and we had to wait at times. 

Additionally, you will want to spend some time appreciating the beauty and the strength of the waterfall. A quick stop at the café or gift shop might also be on your list. 

Up-close view of Gullfoss

4) Quick Facts

1. Gullfoss waterfall is located in the Golden Circle in Iceland. 

2. There is a 1.3 mile out and back trail from the lower parking lot to the falls. 

3. If you walk along the trail to the falls, you will get wet due to the mist spraying out from the falls. 

4. Gullfoss stands at over 100 feet (~32 meters) tall. 

5. Sigríður is praised as one of the first environmentalists of Iceland and is also responsible for preserving Gullfoss. 

Rainbow shining above Gullfoss

5) Background of Gullfoss Falls

Gullfoss means “Golden Falls” in Icelandic. The water originates from Langjökull glacier and then flows in the Hvítá river before reaching the falls.

Iceland is full of stunning waterfalls, so make sure you plan time in your itinerary to visit a few more. For example, Svartifoss has basalt rock columns behind the falls and Kirkjufellsfoss has Mt. Kirkjufell looming in the background. 

Waterfall Dimensions

At its tallest, Gullfoss stands 105 feet (~32 meters). There are two sections of the falls, with the second being much larger than the first. The first section is only about 36 feet (~11 meters) tall while the second is 69 feet (~21 meters). From Gullfoss, the water then flows into Gullfossgjúfur canyon, which is around 230 feet (~70 meters) tall. 

Head to Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon if you want to feel as though you stepped inside of a fairytale.

Preservation of Gullfoss Falls

Many years ago businessmen desired to utilize the water and power of Gullfoss falls in Iceland to power a hydroelectric plant. Tómas Tómasson, the owner of the land on which Gullfoss is located, refused to sell, though he did lease the land. However, Tómas’ daughter, Sigríður, refused to let the waterfall be ruined. She saved all the money she could, traveled on foot to Reykjavík various times, and worked as hard as possible to preserve Gullfoss. By the way, the trip to Reykjavík was over 60 miles – and she did that ON FOOT. At one point she even said she would throw herself into Gullfoss to demonstrate her commitment. 

Thankfully, the businessmen stepped out of the lease in the late 1920s, thus allowing the waterfall to remain untouched. Sigríður is hailed as one of the first environmentalists in Iceland. Additionally, Gullfoss is now a protected natural reserve. 

Another waterfall with an interesting history in Iceland is Goðafoss, for an Ástarú priest once threw idols into the waterfall. 

The water from Gullfoss cascades down into a canyon

6) Viewpoint and Trail Information

When we visited Gullfoss falls in Iceland, we stopped for a brief moment at the viewpoint by the lower parking lot. We then continued on and walked along the 1.3 mile out and back trail to get a closer look at the falls. If you are able, I would highly recommend walking along the trail as it gives you an incredibly close-up view of the falls in all their beauty and strength. You might also get an up-close view of a rainbow. 

Another waterfall in Iceland that commonly has a rainbow around it is Skógafoss in southern Iceland.

Viewpoint of Gullfoss Falls

There is a viewpoint for Gullfoss right next to the lower parking lot. You thus do not have to worry about a long walk or stairs to be able to see the waterfall from this angle. 

However, if you park in the upper lot, you will have to walk down a set of stairs to reach the lower parking and viewpoint. 

Trail to Gullfoss Falls

To get up close and personal while visiting Gullfoss, follow the 1.3 mile (~two kilometer) out and back trail down to the falls. There are some stairs at the beginning, and for that reason it is not wheelchair accessible. While walking along this trail, visitors will get wet. The mist from the falls sprays over the trail, and thus it is recommended to bring along waterproof shoes and a raincoat. Otherwise, view this as an opportunity to shower (especially for those camping around Iceland).  

You can visit Gullfoss in both the summer and winter in Iceland. However, it is possible the trail to the falls will be closed due to hazardous conditions in the winter. Even if the trail is closed, visitors can still stop at the viewpoint by the lower parking lot mentioned above. If the trail is open, be sure to have crampons and also consider walking poles/sticks for assistance if there is any trace of snow or ice on the trail. Amazon offers a variety of crampons and walking poles, including these crampons by Cimkiz and trekking poles by TrailBuddy.

Seljalandsfoss is another waterfall in Iceland at which you might get a bit wet while visiting, for you can walk on a path behind the falls. 

Gullfoss on a day full of clear skies

7) Recommended Items to Bring

For additional recommendations, check out my Iceland road trip packing list as well as my list of international travel essentials.

1. Water bottle: Be sure to bring water with you while visiting. Even though Iceland has cooler temperatures, you still need to drink water to stay hydrated. For example, I brought my Yeti water bottle everywhere in Iceland.

Waterproof Items

2. Waterproof phone case: You might want to protect your valuables, including your phone, especially if you visit on a particularly windy day.

3. Rain boots: Let me say this – you will most likely get pretty wet while visiting Gullfoss. Protect your other shoes and switch into your rain boats for this stop. 

4. Waterproof jacket: As I just said above, you will get a bit (or a lot) wet while visiting Gullfoss. It all depends on how windy it is, for the wind carries the mist from the falls over the trail. I wore my rain jacket during our visit, and I am sure glad I did. 

Hiking Items

5. Hiking poles: Hiking poles are not a necessity to visit Gullfoss due to the fact the trail is fairly short. However, bring them along if you want a bit of extra support. 

6. Crampons: These are only necessary in the winter months if there is snow or ice on the trails. Crampons are spikes that attach to the bottom of shoes.

Taking in the view at Gullfoss

8) Nearby Attractions to Gullfoss Falls

Before or after visiting Gullfoss, take some time to also stop and check out the attractions listed below. They are all conveniently located within the Golden Circle. 

Another attraction worth visiting within the Golden Circle (but not listed below) is Thingvellir National Park. The park holds the rift between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. You can walk between the plates at Almannagjá or snorkel between them at the Silfra fissure.

Geysir Hot Springs

There is a nice 1.2 mile path around the entire geothermal area. It will take 15 to 30 minutes to complete depending on pace and the amount of pictures taken. The largest geyser here is Strokkur, and it goes off every five to 15 minutes. Additionally, hike the small hill for a view from above. 

Geysir Hot Springs is located only 10 minutes west from Gullfoss. If you need lodging in the area, check out Skyggnir Bed and Breakfast and/or the best hotels in the Golden Circle.

For more information: Strokkur and Geysir Hot Springs in Iceland.

Strokkur erupting at Geysir Hot Springs

Tarn (Mountain Lake) in Flúðir

We did not originally include the tarn in our itinerary, but instead only found out about its existence when talking with the owner of Skyggnir Bed and Breakfast. She said it was one of her favorite activities in the area, and we thus decided to give it a try. The hike up the mountain was fairly short, and the view at the top was incredible. A lake was awaiting us at the top after we made the journey. 

The tarn is located 35 minutes south from Gullfoss. The coordinates for the parking lot are Skeiða-og Hrunamannavegur 64.118726, -20.317397. If you need lodging in the area, check out Skyggnir Bed and Breakfast and/or the best hotels in the Golden Circle.

For more information: Discovering the Tarn (Mountain Lake) in Flúðir, Iceland.

Enjoying the views at the Tarn in Flúðir

Kerid Crater

Although this was a fairly quick stop for us, we enjoyed our time here. The lake at the bottom of the volcanic crater is so unique, and we decided to walk around the top as well as walk down to the water’s edge. In my opinion, it is definitely worth the $3 entrance fee to see it. 

Kerid Crater is located 45 minutes southwest from Gullfoss. If you need lodging in the area, check out Skyggnir Bed and Breakfast and/or the best hotels in the Golden Circle.

For more information: Kerid Crater in Iceland.

View of Kerid Crater from the path around the top

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