Note: This post (The Golden Circle – Day 4) is from my daily journal on our DIY European vacation. You can find an overview of the trip here with links to all the published days. I am publishing each day consecutively so follow along and enjoy!

THE GOLDEN CIRCLE

Today was our first full day of driving as we did what is called the Golden Circle route in Iceland. The Golden Circle takes you to three major attractions in one day. Thingvellir National Park, Geysir thermal springs, and Gullfoss waterfall. This is a half to full day trip and is an easy drive. You can purchase day tours for The Golden Circle but if you have a car there is no need. You will enjoy taking your own time and not being rushed.

THINGVELLIR NATIONAL PARK

Our first stop on The Golden Circle was Thingvellir National Park. All Icelanders have a patriotic affection for Thingvellir National Park, as this is where their parliament was established back in 930 AD.

ICELAND’S OLDEST PARLIAMENT

Iceland’s parliament is, in fact, the oldest running parliament in existence and this is why Thingvellir has deep meaning to all Icelanders. If I were to draw a correlation to some location in US history, it might be Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where the Declaration of Independence was signed.

We arrived in the morning around 10 AM, and we all walked to the main overlook behind the welcome center (which was under construction) and looked out over a rift in the ground that represented the edges of the North American and European continental plates.

We took some pictures and then walked down a wooden walkway through the rocks down into the rift and onto a gravel path.

WALKING TO THE FLAGPOLE

We walked down to a rocky mound where there was a flagpole flying the Icelandic flag which is supposed to represent the location where the parliament was held. It was in this location that chieftains from the area convened for two weeks each year to discuss laws and other matter related to creating order and peace for Iceland.

Just thinking about the history around me gave me chills as I imagined the people converging here! After a few more photos, we continued to walk down the path to an area where a river flowed through the rift and then broke through one side and flowed into a broad valley.

We started to walk into the valley and then Stephen noticed a waterfall, so we decided to check it out.

OXARARFOSS WATERFALL

Approaching the waterfall, we noticed it was flowing off the edge of the North American plate and into the rift between the North American and European Plates. It flowed between the two plates for a few hundred yards before spilling into the valley. We hiked up to the base of the falls and took some pictures. The name of the falls was Oxararfoss. The area was beautiful in so many ways!

PARK SERVICE BUILDINGS

After that, we decided to go back into the valley and check out some houses we saw.

The walk to the houses was nice and peaceful with running water and purple Alaskan Lupine all around. We came across an old church and offices used by the park service administration. There was also a graveyard there.

We then decided to head back to the car so we walked another path of connected bridges across the water to connect with our original trail in the rift and headed back toward the gift shop where we purchased a couple of Christmas ornaments, then headed to our next stop.

GOLDEN CIRCLE STOP – GEYSIR

Our second stop on The Golden Circle was Geysir. The word “geyser” comes from the word “Geysir” meaning “to gush.” Yes, this is the original geyser!

The Geysers at Geysir are up the hill from a gift shop/visitor center and has several hot pools and geysers including Stokker, Geysir and Little Geysir.

Geysir is undoubtedly the largest but it hardly ever erupts any more.

Stokker, however, erupts every 10 minutes or so and we saw it several times while we were there. It is quite a tourist attraction, and parking is difficult.

GOLDEN CIRCLE STOP – GULLFOSS

Our final stop on The Golden Circle was the Gullfoss waterfall, one of the best-known waterfalls in Iceland. Gullfoss is truly one of Iceland’s gems. Driving to it for the first time you might not realize you are approaching it as the approach is through flat fields of moss-covered lava rock. Then suddenly you arrive at a parking lot full of cars.

The visitor center was and under construction. Looking past it, you can see a canyon carved by the river and these massive falls that seem to disappear into the earth.

The falls are two steps at 90 degrees from each other.

GULLFOSS IN VIKINGS SERIES

There was a scene in the Vikings series at Gullfoss where Aud commits suicide (starting at about 3:00) with some good panoramic views of the falls.

We walked down the path right next to the falls, each step bringing a slightly different view of the falls. It is by far the largest waterfall that I have seen.

At the end of the trail, there is a rock outcropping that everyone can gather for pictures, but it is so close to the falls it is not the best for photos. If you want to get wet; however, it is a great place due to the mist blown into the air by the falls.

After a bit, we walked back up the trail and took a spur to the top of the canyon to look down at the falls. There were a few good locations for photos but the one with the overlook was not that great. Go further down the path a few yards for a better photo.

NOTE: Here is a link to a more detailed article on Waterfalls in Iceland.

DINNER (Kaffi Krus)

After sightseeing all day, we were hungry, so we looked on google for some restaurants nearby in Selfoss and happened on Kaffi Krus, a quaint little place next to a grocery store.

When going in we didn’t know if they would be able to seat us but another family gave us their table so we lucked out!

Inside on the first floor, there were about six tables. The walls had shelves with salt and pepper mills lining them. We ordered breadsticks, bruschetta, burgers, pizza and fish and chips.

It was great food and excellent service, and I would highly recommend it!

MINNIBORGIR COTTAGES AND RESTAURANT

Minniborgir Cottages was a group of cottages on road 35 between Reykjavik and Selfoss. It had clusters of cottages around a common area and the main restaurant for dining. We stayed in cabin 33, which was a two bedroom apartment with bath and kitchen.

It also had a hot tub that Kirsten, Kaylee, and I used a couple of times. You could sleep six to eight people if needed as each room sleeping three and two could sleep on the couches. Overall our accommodations were reasonable, aside from some breakfast screwups and the fact that the TV didn’t work and the main blinds were broken.

Back to Touring Reykjavik – Day 3

LESSONS FROM THE DAY

1. Google Maps works well in Iceland – We used Google Maps extensively and it tracked well and had good information on places to visit
2. Rent a wifi hotspot when you get your car – These are about $7 a day but it kept a family of five connected and occupied as well as gave us a good source of information while driving.
3. Bring good raingear – When visiting waterfalls this size and getting close to them there will be mist in the air everywhere! You need waterproof gear (not Goretex) and you need a coat with a hood as well as bottoms.
4. Bring good shoes and extra socks – You will be walking on unimproved paths, rocks, and mud so you will need good quality shoes or boots. Also, your feet will get wet if your shoes are not waterproof so bring extra sock.