Krafla
28. October 2024
Mývatn area
29. October 2024
Golden Circle: place where nature dances in front of your eyes
Iceland’s Golden Circle is truly the heart of the country. Along this legendary route, you’ll encounter all forms of nature – from bubbling geysers and massive waterfalls to rugged crevasses in tectonic plates. As you travel, each stop reveals breathtaking landscapes and offers a unique glimpse into the very essence of Iceland’s natural wonders.
Golden Circle consists of three main stops: the Thingvellir National Park, the Haukadalur geyser area and the Gullfoss Waterfall. In addition, you can extend to Kerid Crater and Bruarfoss Waterfall, which also lies nearby. Each of these stops is magical in its own way, especially in winter when a white veil of snow and ice covers them, adding to the dramatic atmosphere and contrasts of these places.
Thingvellir National Park
Thingvellir, the first stop on the Golden Circle, welcomes you with fascinating scenery and an important historical heritage. Car parks are marked from P1 to P5, with each car park reserved for specific routes and viewpoints. If you want to see the famous Almannagjá tectonic fault, we recommend parking on P1.
On this stop, don’t miss Lögberg, the historic site where the Althing, one of the oldest parliaments in the world, was founded in 930.
Finally, be sure to check out the Öxarárfoss Waterfall. Although it is not big, it is literally magical in winter.
Geysers
Haukadalur geyser area will show you how alive and active Icelandic nature is. Every few minutes, the Strokkur geyser shoots up to a height of 20 metres and will amaze you. During the three quarters of an hour we spent at the geyser, we saw it erupt 8 times. Basically, every other eruption was a big one. If the wind is blowing, be sure to use a raincoat or you’ll be soaking wet. We found the heat from the geyser warmed us more than tea and the spectacle of it so engulfed us that we lost track of time.
Gullfoss Waterfall
Gullfoss Waterfall, often called the Golden Waterfall, is a place where nature shows off her might in all its glory. Here, Gullfoss will show you its mighty streams that fall into a deep canyon. From October onwards, the entire region is covered with snow and ice through which the waterfall makes its way.
When the sun shines, a rainbow often forms on the waterfall, adding to its charm. And there is never just one. Most are hidden in the canyon, leaving you with no choice but to walk around and visit all the viewpoints.
Kerid Crater
Kerid Crater is a volcanic crater that will offer you spectacular views of the turquoise lake located right inside the crater. Winter turns the lake into a frozen surface that contrasts with the crater’s red and black coloured volcanic rocks. The ice wasn’t completely solidified in October, so walking on it wasn’t exactly the best idea.
Around the crater, there is a beautiful, changing landscape, and just walking through it allows you to enjoy the changing scenery that is characteristic of the whole of Iceland.
Bruárfoss Waterfall
Bruarfoss is a hidden gem of the Golden Circle, whose blue water creates a beautiful contrast with the surrounding basalt rocks. With its turquoise glow, the water is like no other waterfall on the whole island. You will find the small cascades that form it hypnotic and tempt you to walk along it.
Showcasing one of the most beautiful aspects of Iceland, this small waterfall provides a great opportunity for a peaceful moment in the lap of nature.
Secret Lagoon- Reward for a busy day
After a full day exploring the Golden Circle, Secret Lagoon offers you the perfect reward. Also known as Gamla Laugin, this natural hot spring will show you how Icelanders have been relaxing for centuries. Secret Lagoon is one of the oldest spas in Iceland, where hot water is constantly drawn from a natural spring. Here, the water is at a constant temperature of around 38-40°C, giving you a relaxing break after a busy day.
A bonus is a small geyser that erupts every few minutes, which you can watch while doing nothing in the pool.
