GOLDEN CIRCLE

The Golden Circle is one of the most popular routes in Iceland. This circular route connects three major natural attractions and is ideal for a day trip from Reykjavik. The route is approximately 300 km long and offers breathtaking scenery, geothermal phenomena and historically significant sites.

1. THINGVELLIR NATIONAL PARK

Þingvellir National Park is one of the most important places in Iceland, both in terms of history and geology. It is located about 40 km northeast of Reykjavík and is the first stop on the Golden Circle. The park was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2004.

The tectonic plates move about 2 cm apart each year.

Þingvellir National Park was created in a rift valley environment at the watershed between the North American and Eurasian continental plates. There are a number of gorges that have been formed by tectonic forces. The largest of these (Almannagjá) has been made into a hiking trail that is accessible to all visitors. The Almannagjá Canyon shows where the plates move away from each other by about 2 cm each year.

The park contains the largest natural lake in Iceland, Þingvallavatn, and Öxarárfoss waterfall, a smaller but beautiful waterfall that often freezes in winter.

A popular attraction is Silfra, a tectonic fissure with crystal clear water where you can dive and snorkel between two continents. You can book this experience through several local agencies.

• ARCTIC ADVENTURES - https://adventures.is/iceland/day-tours/snorkeling-and-diving/
• TROLL EXPEDITION - https://troll.is/silfra-iceland/
• DIVE.IS - https://www.dive.is/ 

Basically they all provide the same thing, so the choice is entirely up to you.

HISTORY

The first settlement of Iceland began as early as 874 AD with the arrival of Ingólfur Arnarson, who is considered, together with his wife Hallveig, to be the first permanent inhabitants of Iceland. According to the book Landnámabók, Arnarson founded a settlement in the south-west of the island called Reykjavík, which in Icelandic means 'smoky bay'. The name is apparently derived from a geothermal area full of thermal springs and geysers.

The Landnámabók book is considered to be the oldest surviving record of the settlement of Iceland.

The Landnámabók book is considered to be the oldest surviving record of the settlement of Iceland. It contains a list of all settlers including their families. It describes more than 3,000 people and 1,400 settlements, making it a very valuable source of information on the history of Iceland as a whole. The settlement itself lasted 56 years. A number of Norse clans began to form across the island, fighting each other not only for the limited resources Iceland offered, but also because of their different beliefs. New local councils were formed, but most power was concentrated in the southwest of the island, in Reykjavik, in the hands of Ingólfur Arnarson's descendants. The rest of the settlers outside the Reykjavík area did not like this situation, and so they called for a general assembly that would allow everyone to live in harmony.

The Althing is considered to be one of the oldest parliaments ever.

A man named Grímur Geitskör was given the task of gathering all the tribes and choosing a suitable meeting place. The search turned up a place accessible from all parts of the island (today's Þingvellir), as the man who owned the land had been convicted of murder and his property had become public. As early as 930 AD, more than 30 ruling chiefs met here to discuss law and order and subsequently formed one large community. This community was called the Althing (General Assembly), which is the name for today's Icelandic Parliament. The Althing is considered to be one of the oldest parliaments ever.

2. GEYSIR GEOTHERMAL AREA

The Geysir geothermal area is one of the most famous attractions in Iceland and an important stop on the Golden Circle. It is located in the Haukadalur valley, about 100 km east of Reykjavik. This place is especially famous for the Strokkur geyser, which erupts here regularly.

Geysir is the oldest geyser ever recorded.

The main attraction is the Strokkur geyser, which spews a column of hot water 20-30 metres high every 5-10 minutes. Its neighbour Geysir is the oldest recorded geyser ever. Its activity was described as early as 1294, and its name gave its name to all other geysers around the world. However, its activity is irregular and the frequency of water gushes ranges from 5 to 8 hours. There are also hot springs and bubbling mud pools in the area, with the typical smell of sulphur.

3. GULLFOSS WATERFALL

Gullfoss is one of the most impressive waterfalls in Iceland and one of the main stops on the Golden Circuit. It is located on the Hvítá River, approximately 120 km east of Reykjavík. Its name means "Golden Waterfall", probably because of the golden hue of the water at sunset or the minerals in the river.

The waterfall is a double cascade - the water first falls from a height of 11 metres, then another 21 metres into the deep Hvítá Canyon. The canyon was formed after the last ice age by melting glaciers and erosion. It is about 70 metres deep and 2.5 km long. On sunny days you can often see rainbows in the mist from the waterfall, which gives the place a magical atmosphere.

FUN FACT

In the 20th century, a hydroelectric power station was planned to be built on this site. But Icelandic farmer Sigríður Tómasdóttir opposed it and even threatened to throw herself into the river if the waterfall was destroyed. Thanks to her efforts, the project did not materialise and today Gullfoss is a protected natural monument.

4. KERIÐ VOLCANIC CRATER

Kerið is one of the most famous volcanic craters in Iceland. It is located in the southern part of the country, about 15 km north of the town of Selfoss, and is a popular stop on the Golden Circle. Its red-orange lava slope and the deep blue-green lake inside the crater make it one of the most visually impressive geological formations in Iceland.

If you want to avoid the entrance fee, arrive early in the morning or in the evening.

Unlike many other craters formed by volcanic explosions, Kerið is considered a caldera - a collapsed magma chamber. After the magma was depleted, the ceiling of the chamber collapsed, forming the crater we see today. Today, the crater floor is filled with water, which has a typical blue-green colour due to the minerals.

Kerið is one of the few natural sites in Iceland where you have to pay an entrance fee, as it is located on private land. If you want to avoid the entrance fee, arrive early in the morning or in the evening.

5. HRUNALAUG HOT SPRING

Hrunalaug is a small, natural hot spring located near the village of Flúðir in the south of Iceland. It is a quieter and less touristy alternative to popular thermal spas such as the Blue Lagoon or Secret Lagoon. This rustic spring offers an authentic outdoor experience with warm, mineral water and beautiful views of the Icelandic landscape.

Hrunalaug consists of small natural pools surrounded by rocks and grassy slopes. The water temperature is around 38-40°C, making it ideal for relaxing after a long day of travelling.

The site is located on private land and the owners have been charging an entrance fee and regulating the number of visitors here since 2023. Capacity is limited - a maximum of 5-10 people can fit. More information can be found on the website https://hrunalaug.is/