Gullfoss
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Gullfoss
About
Gullfoss is a 32-meter waterfall on the Hvítá river in Iceland's South Coast.
Iceland's most visited waterfall. Two massive drops cascade into a rugged canyon, with the river seeming to disappear into the earth. Part of the Golden Circle, and honestly, deserves its fame.
The ground shakes. The mist soaks you. On sunny days, golden rainbows arc over the falls — that's how it got the name. Stand on the viewing platform and feel humbled by the raw power of glacial water.
Saved from becoming a hydropower dam by Sigríður Tómasdóttir, a farmer's daughter who threatened to throw herself into the falls. She won. Her dedication made her an icon of Iceland's conservation movement. There's a memorial to her at the site.
Two viewing platforms — upper and lower. Lower gets you closer but wetter. Come in morning or evening to avoid Golden Circle tour buses. The cafe at the visitor center has good lamb soup. Winter views are spectacular when the falls partially freeze.
Plan your visit
- Getting there
- Route 36
Heads up- Trails can close; check Safetravel.is before visiting
Two-tiered waterfall: upper drop 11 m, lower drop 21 m (two separate falls)- Average flow ~109 m³/s; ~130 m³/s in summer; recorded flood max ~2000 m³/s
- Riverbed rock formed during an interglacial period
- Was the subject of hydroelectric development proposals
Drive: Good·
Visit now·
30 min stop
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F-roadsOpen
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Entry: Free
Parking: Free
No booking
Entry feeFree
ParkingFree
BookingNot needed
Getting thereCar recommended
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Golden hour AM—
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Blue hour—Cars & campers
KEF airport pickup 24/74.8
Dacia Duster 4x4
Cheapest real 4WD in the fleet — gravel, the Westfjords and easy summer F-roads without truck prices.
TransmissionManual
FuelPetrol/diesel
Seats5
Drive4WD
VW Caravelle
Whole family or friend group in one car — gear in the back, room to stretch.
TransmissionAutomaticFuelDieselSeats9Drive2WD
Key Camper Wild Duo
Sleep right by the trailhead, wake up at the falls — F-road ready from mid-June.
TransmissionManualFuelPetrol
Sleeps2Drive4WDTours near Gullfoss
Small groups
Ice Cave & Waterfalls
Katla ice cave, South Coast waterfalls and the black sand beach in one private day.
Duration11 hours
PickupReykjavík
VehicleSuper Jeep
TypePrivate
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Floating icebergs at Jökulsárlón plus the best of South Iceland on the way.
Duration14 hoursPickupReykjavík
HighlightsSouth Iceland
StopsHot springs
Glacier & Golden Circle
Snowmobile across a glacier, then hit the Golden Circle classics.
Duration10 hoursPickupReykjavík
ActivitySnowmobileVehicleSuper JeepPhotos & videos
Reviews
Nearby
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A waterfall in the Highlands. One of many cascades that make Iceland a waterfall paradise.
A waterfall in West Iceland. One of many cascades that make Iceland a waterfall paradise.
Hot Springs
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Geothermal spot. Water temp varies but usually comfortable. Check conditions before going.
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Natural pool. Surrounded by Icelandic landscape. Best with few people.
Campsites
Skjól Camping is a new camp site close to the famous Geysir hot spring. It is surrounded…
The camp site at Geysir in Haukadal is located next to the famous geyser Geysir and is…
Beautiful and peaceful surroundings is one of the characteristic for this camp site. The…
The camp site Uthlid at Biskupstungur has much to offer. You will find a swimming pool, a…
Supermarkets
Krambúð supermarket — supplies
Krambúð supermarket — supplies
Supermarket — supplies
Supermarket — supplies
Gas stations
N1 · 310.9 kr/L petrol
N1 · 310.9 kr/L petrol
N1 · 310.9 kr/L petrol
N1 · 310.9 kr/L petrol
Tours
Katla ice cave, South Coast waterfalls and the black sand beach in one private day.
Floating icebergs at Jökulsárlón plus the best of South Iceland on the way.
Snowmobile across a glacier, then hit the Golden Circle classics.
Frequently
asked
questions
Is Gullfoss free to visit?
How far is Gullfoss from Reykjavík?
Can you swim at Gullfoss?
Why is it called Golden Falls?
Is Gullfoss crowded?
Where is Gullfoss on the map?
Data & sources
Everything on this page comes from the sources below. Live feeds refresh automatically.
UnsplashHero & gallery photography · Martti Salmi / Unsplash
Visit South Iceland (south.is)Visitor access & practical facts · tourism board
WikipediaEncyclopedic description · CC BY-SA 4.0
VegagerðinLive road status & cameras · Icelandic Road Administration
Open-MeteoWeather forecast · CC BY 4.0
NOAA SWPCAurora (planetary Kp) forecast · public domain
OpenStreetMapInteractive-map data · ODbL
Esri, Maxar & Earthstar GeographicsSatellite imagery for the 3D terrain render · GIS User Community
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