Gullfoss waterfall in Southern Iceland

Gullfoss is located in the heart of the famous Golden Circle in Haukadalur, South Iceland. The mighty Hvítá (White River) is a glacial river flowing southward straight from Langjökull (Long Glacier) giving Gullfoss an awesome flow rate.

Gullfoss waterfall in Southern Iceland

Gullfoss is located in the heart of the famous Golden Circle in Haukadalur, South Iceland. The mighty Hvítá (White River) is a glacial river flowing southward straight from Langjökull (Long Glacier) giving Gullfoss an awesome flow rate.

Gullfoss waterfall in Southern Iceland

Gullfoss is located in the heart of the famous Golden Circle in Haukadalur, South Iceland. The mighty Hvítá (White River) is a glacial river flowing southward straight from Langjökull (Long Glacier) giving Gullfoss an awesome flow rate.

Gullfoss, the Golden Waterfall, in Southern Iceland

The falls are named Gullfoss, which translates to the Golden Waterfall, because on a sunny day, the water takes on a golden-brown color. This is due to the fact that the Hvítá river is glacial water and therefore carries lots of sediments that glacial ice has carved off the earth throughout the years.

At the brink of Gullfoss, the largest waterfall in Europe

Gullfoss, translated to Golden Falls, is one of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls. The Hvítá river travels from the glacier Langjökull, before cascading 32 meters (105 feet) down Gullfoss’ two stages. The first, shorter cascade is 11 metres (36 feet), whilst the second drop is 21 metres (69 feet). The canyon walls on both sides of the waterfall reach heights of up to 70 metres (230 feet), descending into the great Gullfossgjúfur canyon.

Gullfoss, the Golden Falls, in Southern Iceland

Gullfoss, translated to Golden Falls, is one of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls. The Hvítá river travels from the glacier Langjökull, before cascading 32 meters (105 feet) down Gullfoss’ two stages. The first, shorter cascade is 11 metres (36 feet), whilst the second drop is 21 metres (69 feet). The canyon walls on both sides of the waterfall reach heights of up to 70 metres (230 feet), descending into the great Gullfossgjúfur canyon.

Gullfoss, the Golden Waterfall in Southern Iceland

Gullfoss, translated to Golden Falls, is one of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls. The Hvítá river travels from the glacier Langjökull, before cascading 32 meters (105 feet) down Gullfoss’ two stages. The first, shorter cascade is 11 metres (36 feet), whilst the second drop is 21 metres (69 feet). The canyon walls on both sides of the waterfall reach heights of up to 70 metres (230 feet), descending into the great Gullfossgjúfur canyon.

Knarrarós Lighthouse near Stokkseyri at the south coast of Iceland

Knarrarósviti was the first lighthouse in Iceland to be built of reinforced concrete between 1938 and 1939. It is located on the shoreline just outside the village of Stokkseyri. Designed by the engineer Axel Sveinsson and heavily influenced by the work of the state architect Guðjón Samúelsson (who also designed the National Theatre in Reykjavik and Hallgrímskirkja), it is minimal in its design with a twist of art nouveau. It’s 26.2m height makes it the tallest building in south Iceland.

You cannot get lost in iceland

When you exit a main road, the signs tell quite the story on what to expect next.

Road map in Iceland

Road map in rural Iceland

Urriðafoss Waterfall in Southern Iceland

Urriðafoss, "sea trout waterfall", is the most voluminous waterfall in Iceland. The mighty Þjórsá River has a flow rate of 360 m3/sec, more than any other waterfall in Iceland.

Urriðafoss is a waterfall located in the river Þjórsá (Thjorsa) in southwest Iceland. The Þjórsárhraun lava field is the result of one of the greatest lava flow on earth since the beginning of Ice Age. Þjórsá River has cut its path down between the lava and the hills as it descended from the Þjórsárhraun. Þjórsá was a major road obstacle in the early days and dangerous to cross. It was first bridged in 1895, and it was the second bridge of bigger size in the country after the bridge across Ölfusá River. The bridge over river Þjórsá was rebuilt in 1949. Urriðafoss is the last waterfall in the river Þjórsá, about 1.5 km from highway one and beside a farm with the same name. It is the most voluminous waterfall in the country. Urriðafoss is not a high waterfall, only 6m high, but it is wide and because of this it can almost disappear in wintertime when the ice builds up, sometimes to 20m height causing the river flows over its banks. In the waterfall this mighty river drops down (360 m3/sec) by the edge of Þjórsárhraun lava field in beautiful and serene surroundings. Þjórsá is Iceland’s longest river, 230 km, and the second most voluminous river. Urriðafoss on the other hand is the most voluminous waterfall even though the water volume has been diminished by up to 50% because of the 5 dams built in the river. (Source: Urriðafoss waterfall – amazingiceland.is)

Urriðafoss Waterfall in Southern Iceland

Urriðafoss, "sea trout waterfall", is the most voluminous waterfall in Iceland. The mighty Þjórsá River has a flow rate of 360 m3/sec, more than any other waterfall in Iceland.

Urriðafoss Waterfall in Southern Iceland

Urriðafoss, "sea trout waterfall", is the most voluminous waterfall in Iceland. The mighty Þjórsá River has a flow rate of 360 m3/sec, more than any other waterfall in Iceland.

Urriðafoss Waterfall in Southern Iceland

Urriðafoss, "sea trout waterfall", is the most voluminous waterfall in Iceland. The mighty Þjórsá River has a flow rate of 360 m3/sec, more than any other waterfall in Iceland.

Urriðafoss Waterfall in Southern Iceland

Urriðafoss, "sea trout waterfall", is the most voluminous waterfall in Iceland. The mighty Þjórsá River has a flow rate of 360 m3/sec, more than any other waterfall in Iceland.

Ægissíõufoss Waterfall, Southern Region, Iceland

Ægissíõufoss is a waterfall of the Ytri-Rangá River in the southwest of Iceland, cascading down a V-shaped cropping of rock. A fish ladder has been constructed on the edge of the falls, aiding the river's salmon population.