Guilfoss is Iceland’s most famous glacial waterfall. Its water carries much sediment carved off the earth and is a brownish color. There are several stories about how Guilfoss, “Golden Waterfall,” got its name. One is its golden hue on a sunny day when plunging down two-step falls and into the 32 meters/96 feet deep crevice into the Hvita River creating Iceland’s most spectacular cascade. Another story tells about a farmer with plenty of gold but he could not bear the thought of someone else possessing it after his lifetime. So he placed the gold in a coffer to prevent this and threw it into the waterfall.
Click here to view the embedded video.
impressive Guilfoss Waterfall, Iceland
walking down to the trail along Guilfoss Waterfall, Iceland
map showing trails to view Guilfoss Waterfall, Iceland
Visitors can walk along the top or down a path to another viewing area. Some people also clamber on rocks to see in the gorge and valley.
Guilfoss Waterfall (also spelled Guilfos) is dedicated to the memory of Sigridur Tomasdottir who battled those who wanted to build a hydroelectric plant to harness the power of the river. It is said that she threatened to throw herself into the falls in protest, and then walked to Reykjavik barefoot to make her point. Sigridur is credited with saving the falls and a statue of her is erected at Guilfoss. After gawking at the sheer amount of power in water thundering down, I can understand why Iceland wanted to build a power plant.
Guilfoss Waterfall, Iceland
one viewing point for Guilfoss Waterfall, Iceland
Iceland wildflowers
It didn’t take us long to discover that Iceland has very nice gift shops at each tourist location with a few different objects scattered here and there.
Guilfoss Waterfall, Iceland
souvenirs in one of Iceland’s many stores
Guilfoss is the third sight included in The Golden Circle operated by almost every tour operator in Reykjavik.