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During the first half of the 20th century and some years into the late 20th century, there was much speculation about using Gullfoss to generate electricity. During this period, the waterfall was rented indirectly by its owners, Tómas Tómasson and Halldór Halldórsson, to foreign investors. However, the investors' attempts were unsuccessful, partly due to lack of money. The waterfall was later sold to the state of Iceland, and is now protected.
Sigríður Tómasdóttir, the daughter of Tómas Tómasson, was determined to preserve the waterfall's condition and even threatened to throw herself down. Although it is widely believed, the very popular story that Sigríður saved the waterfall from exploitation is untrue. A stone memorial to Sigriður, located above the falls, depicts her profile
Located on the end of the Golden Circle, when the sun is in the right place, rainbows form in the mist from the giant Gullfoss waterfall.
Gullfoss, Iceland
July 3, 2018 - "Gullfoss (Golden Waterfall) is an iconic waterfall of Iceland offering a spectacular view of the forces and beauty of untouched nature. Gullfoss is part of the Golden Circle tour, located in South Iceland on the Hvítá (White) river which is fed by Iceland´s second biggest glacier, the Langjökull. The water plummets down 32 meters in two stages into a rugged canyon which walls reach up to 70 meters in height. On a sunny day shimmering rainbow can be seen over the falls.
Gullfoss is more than just a pretty waterfall, it has a story to tell. In the early 20th century foreign investors wanted to harness the power of Gullfoss to produce electricity. In 1907 Howells, an Englishman wanted to buy Gullfoss from Tómas Tómasson, a farmer who owned Gullfoss at this time. Tómas declined Howells´ offer to buy the waterfall but later he leased it to him. The farmer´s daughter, Sigriður Tómasdóttir who grew up on his father´s sheep farm sought to have the rental contract voided. Sigriður using her own saving hired a lawyer in Reykjavik to defend her case. The trial lasted years and Sigriður went several times barefoot on traitorous terrain to Reykjavik to follow up on her case. She even threatened to throw herself into the waterfall if the construction would begin. Her attempts failed in court but before any damage was done to the waterfall the contract was disposed due to the lack of payments of the rent fee. The struggles of Sigriður to preserve the waterfall brought to people´s attention the importance of preserving nature and therefore she is often called Iceland´s first environmentalist.
In 1940 the adopted son of Sigriður acquired the waterfall from Sigriður´s father and later sold it to the Icelandic government. Gullfoss and its environs was designated as nature reserve in 1979 to permanently protect the waterfall and allow the public to enjoy this unique area."
Previous text is from the official website of the waterfall: gullfoss.is
The power of Gullfoss produces a lot of spray which coupled with the colder temperatures results in frost on the ground around the waterfall.
Gullfoss is a huge waterfall. It cascades down a wide and curved three-step section then plunges down two smaller steps into a crevice I could not see. The photo depicts only a small portion of the waterfall. On the side, a couple can be seen posing together for a photograph, helpfully illustrating the waterfall's scale.
Gullfoss waterfall on Hvitá river, one of the most impressive waterfalls in Europe. Sheer size of the waterfall and proximity to Reykjavik make Gullfoss a well-visited tourist attraction. We were on location in the afternoon, to take advantage of the rainbow that forms in the water mist above the falls.
Image: IS-3906-0263
We were up early, so to get breakfast in time so we could find the bus stop for our tour for the day.
The Golden Circle is a term used for several natural wonders about an hour or so from Reykjavík. Most people who come here do the tour.
So were we.
More light snow during the night, but this turned heavier as we waited for the bus.
Eventually, a large black mini bus pulled up, and the driver, Trond, called our name, and so only us out of a dozen people waiting got on.
We toured round downtown, picking up folks, but the bus was only half full.
So, we turned north as the snow really started to come down, Trond put the hammer down, and let the studded tyres do their thing,
Once out of the city, it became a virtual white-out, with us apparently following the tyre tracks of the cars in front. We slithered round roundabouts and swerved as Trond pressed the accelerator.
Most hire cars are fitted with all seasons tyres, and for the most they work, but in near blizzard conditions, only studded would do.
We turned up the long road that climbed to the national park, and in front, cars slithered at a crawl. Several did not make it and came off the road, lift in ditches at crazy angles.
We did fine.
It was a blizzard now, and the sky and landscaped merged, with just a faint grey line marking where the two met.
After passing three jack-knifed cars, we arrived at the national park. We were to walk from the visitor centre here to the bus park nearly a kilometre away.
I like a challenge.
We were to walk down the rift valley, created as the two great plates, North American and Eurasian move apart.
Trond said the weather was clearing from the east.
We laughed.
Outside the bus, the snow still fell.
We walked through the visitor centre and shop, then up to the observation deck.
Amazingly, the snow stopped and the view opened up, there was even sunshine away to the west.
From the viewing platform there was a steep ramp leading down the narrow rift, this we all had to walk down to meet the bus some 600m away.
While not quite as wide and grand as the Great Rift Valley, this too marks the point at which two plates are moving apart from each other, and in turn creating new land between.
I did not slip, but took my time, and near the end there was a tumbling stream over which the path leapt on a small bridge.
Back onto the bus for a short drive to a farm for some home-made icecream, and from the shop we look look into the stables where the herd was chewing the cud, preparing the next batch.
And then back onto the main road and up to Geysir geothermal area, where we had 90 minutes to wander, see the geyser and get something for lunch.
All Golden Circle trips stop here, and is crowded, but with the geyser erupting every 8 minutes, there's usually a gap in which to witness it.
Sadly, each eruption last about 2 seconds, so by the time it starts, you raise the camera, its over.
We walked back to the centre, and Jools went to fetch burger and fries for us both, and a drink, which came to £54 and were very average indeed.
Back on the bus for a short drive to the next to last stop, Gullfoss.
The plan had to park down on the lower levels, but the road down was closed because of snow, and the steps from the upper level closed because of ice.
So, everyone was to have to wait their turn at the upper view point.
Dozens of coaches and buses parked, and a long line of people walking out to the viewing platform snaked across the snow.
I joined them, and was rewarded with spectacular views of the waterfall, now half frozen in the cold weather. I took shots, a video, and what else is there, join in with the influencers in taking selfies to prove I had been there?
I walked back to the bus, so to be first back for a change, and follow the footie on the BBC website, Norwich home against Coventry.
We all got back, then drove to the last stop: the Secret Lagoon, where some, including Jools went for a dip, while I stayed dry, had a coffee laced with Baileys, and followed the games.
City came from behind to win 2-1, while outside the snow began to come down heavier than ever.
Gullfoss "Golden Falls" is a waterfall located in the canyon of Hvítá river in southwest Iceland. The river plunges in two stages (11 m and 21 m) into a crevice 32 m deep. The crevice, about 20 m wide, and 2.5 km in length, extends perpendicular to the flow of the river. The average amount of water running over this waterfall is 140 m³/s in the summertime and 80 m³/s in the wintertime. The highest flood measured was 2000 m³/s.
The Icelandic road trip continued with a pause at the heavily visited but no-less impressive Gullfoss. One of the world's great waterfalls.
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For stories from the trip check my blog - virtualwayfarer.com.
A slow shutter speed on an area of detail on the Gullfoss waterfall made a serene milky flow of the water.
Gullfoss, Iceland.
This is an equirectangular panorama, stitched from 6 hand-held shots.
Enjoy the interactive panorama.
Gullfoss is Iceland's most famous waterfall, and one of the natural wonders of the world. It is in the mighty glacial river Hvitá (White river), just a few kilometers from another natural wonder, the world-famous Geysir. The enormous white glacial cascade drops 32 meters into a narrow canyon which is 70 meters deep and 2.5 kilometers long. Its spectacular two-tiered cataract hangs in the air like fine drizzle, which forms a rainbow in the sunlight. In winter it has an unusual appearance when it is garbed in ice and snow.
Gullfoss is a waterfall located in the canyon of the Hvítá river in southwest Iceland. The wide Hvítá rushes southward, and about a kilometre above the falls it turns sharply to the right and flows down into a wide curved three-step "staircase" and then abruptly plunges in two stages (11 m and 21 m) into a crevice 32 m (105 ft) deep.
Gullfoss (Golden Waterfall) is an amazing waterfall on the Hvítá (White) river, which is fed by Iceland´s second biggest glacier, the Langjökull. The water plummets down 32m in two stages into a rugged canyon which walls reach up to 70m in height.
Gullfoss in the so-called "Golden Circle" is probably one of the most photographed locations in Iceland. Therefore I am only posting this overview. I was there, too :-)
Der Gullfoss im sogenannten "Golden Circle" ist vermutlich eines der meistfotografierten Motive in Island, daher zeige ich auch nur diese Übersicht. Ich war auch da :-)
During the first half of the 20th century and some years into the late 20th century, there was much speculation about using Gullfoss to generate electricity. During this period, the waterfall was rented indirectly by its owners, Tómas Tómasson and Halldór Halldórsson, to foreign investors. However, the investors' attempts were unsuccessful, partly due to lack of money. The waterfall was later sold to the state of Iceland, and is now protected.
Sigríður Tómasdóttir, the daughter of Tómas Tómasson, was determined to preserve the waterfall's condition and even threatened to throw herself down. Although it is widely believed, the very popular story that Sigríður saved the waterfall from exploitation is untrue. A stone memorial to Sigriður, located above the falls, depicts her profile
Iceland Holiday Day Eight (Gullfoss, South East Iceland)
Another shot of Gullfoss – I do like the greenery in the foreground.
"Gullfoss ("Golden Falls") is a waterfall located in the canyon of Olfusa river in southwest Iceland.
Gullfoss is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland. The wide Olfusa rushes southward, and about a kilometre above the falls it turns sharply to the right and flows down into a wide curved three-step "staircase" and then abruptly plunges in two stages (11 metres or 36 feet, and 21 metres or 69 feet) into a crevice 32 metres (105 ft) deep."