The golden circle is the most famous of all the panoramic routes in Iceland: three emblematic places (the roaring Gullfoss, the bubbling geysers zone and the historical site of þingvelir) captivate hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. But is this really the best experience in Iceland? This was my second time on the island and I wanted to know if so much stir was justified. What awaited me on this trip was a mixture of a magnificent nature, unexpected impressions and the finding that not everything is always as one imagines.
The name “Dorado Circle”: Where does it really come from?
Spectacular waterfalls, bubbling springs, landscapes loaded with history: the golden circle combines some of the most spectacular places in Iceland on a single route. But the name itself is not a denomination with centuries, but a modern creation. In the 1950s, this route began to be marketed specifically for travelers. The combination of impressive nature, geothermal wonders and historical meaning made the route a reference for Icelandic tourism.
“Dorado” refers to Gullfoss, the golden waterfall, whose foamy waters shine with a golden tone, especially under sunlight. “Circle”, in turn, represents the round trip that many travelers make from Reykiavik before returning to the capital. What was once a remote landscape is now one of the busiest routes in the country, a development that has not been exempt from consequences for the nature and experience of traveling.
Gullfoss: huge mass of water and the reality of mass tourism
The sound of water can be heard from afar. Gullfoss, one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Europe, consists of two successive levels: the superior measures 11 meters and the lower 21 meters. With the strength of the Hvítá River, flowing into a gorge of 70 meters deep, it is an impressive natural show. A fine dew floats in the air and the water masses thunder with a force that molds the landscape and captivates the viewer.
But who expects to find here an intact natural environment will quickly disappoint this idea. The well -conditioned trails, the Visitors Center and the innumerable aerial cameras show that Gullfoss is not a hidden jewel, but a tourist magnet. He had imagined that the waterfall would be more agitated and lonely. But in this place, where nature and infrastructure are found, it is quickly clear: Iceland’s beauty is still overwhelming, but you rarely experience it only here.
On my first trip to Iceland, I discovered Hraunfossar and Barnafoss: small waterfalls that fall on vast lava fields. Without noise, without mass tourism, only the soft sound of water. Those who seek isolation will be more likely to find it here than in Gullfoss.
Powerful and wild: The Gullfoss waterfall, fed by the Hvítá River, dominates the Icelandic landscape.
Not only in Gullfoss: Here are torrents of tourists daily, but the waterfall is still impressive.
Water masses and fine dew: Gullfoss is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Iceland.
In Gullfoss you can feel the pure power of nature: an inspiring and popular place.
Geysir & Strokkur – A Nature show
The soil smokes and in the air there is sulfur smell. Here the earth seems to breathe. Welcome to the Haukadalur Valley, one of the regions with the greatest geothermal activity in Iceland. In the midst of this bubbling landscape is the “Great Geysir”, which once gave name to all other speech: the word Geysir comes from the Icelandic: “Geyssa” means “sprout” or “spill.” The great geyer, mentioned for the first time in the thirteenth century, is currently only occasionally active. Today, his little brother Strokkur is the real show and attraction. Every five to ten minutes, the surface of its pool is inflated and then a column of water shoots up to 30 meters high. The Strokkur geyer is one of the few in the world that erupts so regularly. The water rash is produced by a sudden drop in pressure in the groundwater chamber. As soon as water is close to its boiling point, explosively evaporates and catapults the water column up. This show is not only a geological cuana point, but also shows impressive how active is the subsoil of Iceland.
A geyer that never disappoints: Strokkur erupts periodically and is the culminating point of the region.
I imagined that Strokkur would be bigger, but the eruption is still an experience. The moment before the eruption is particularly fascinating: a deep noise from the interior of the earth, then the water is arched forming a turquoise blue dome before being thrown explosively in the air. A natural show difficult to capture with a camera: you have to live it.
In addition to the main geyser, there are numerous smaller bubbling mud wells and smoking smoking in the area, which give an impression of the intense geothermal activity of the region. The colors of the soil, from the red oxide to sulfur yellow, seem almost surreal and remind us that, geologically speaking, Iceland is still a young and vibrant part of the world.
The power of the Earth: closely experienced in the bubbling clay wells and fumaroles.
The Burbujea Earth: In the Haukadalur Valley, steam and whistles are heard in every corner: Iceland’s subsoil is alive.
Thingvelir – A crack on Earth and the History of Iceland
Since 2004, Thingvelir (þingvelir) is a World Heritage for UNESCO due to its geological and historical uniqueness. Here, between high rock walls and deep cracks, Alþingi, one of the oldest parliaments in the world, was founded in 930. Here the Icelandic bosses gathered to approve laws, a democratic legacy that still feels today. But it is not just the story that makes this place so special. Þingvelir is directly found in the Mesoatlántic Dorsal, on the border between the American and Eurasian continental plaques. Anywhere else can you see as clearly how two continents slowly move away from each other.
More stops in the golden circle for individual travelers
If you want to discover beyond the main attractions, you will find exciting places along the route:
Kerið crater: A deep blue lake located between the red rocks of a 3,000 -year -old volcanic crater. The steep crater walls form a natural amphitheater, and those who wish can descend along a narrow path and closely experiment the color game of the red earth and the blue water.
Faxi cascade: smaller and quiet than Gullfoss, but no less fascinating. The wide and uniform current cascade is a bit away from the main road and offers a viewpoint from which a particularly good river view can be obtained. A salmon ladder next to the waterfall shows how the fish advance upstream.
Friðheimar greenhouse: Tomatoes grow under artificial light: a fascinating example of sustainable cultivation of vegetables in Iceland. In this family business you can not only visit tomato plantations, but also enjoy a fresh tomato soup with homemade bread among the plants of a bright green.
Secret Lagoon: Secret Lagoon: Icelanders know how to relax anywhere! Iceland is not only the land of fire and ice, but also of water. Given the hard weather, Icelanders love to bathe in their hot springs. Thanks to geothermal energy, there are several hundred of them. The secret lagoon is less crowded than the blue lagoon. Also called “gamla laugin”, it is the oldest geothermal pool in Iceland and is fed by thermal sources that maintain water at a constant and pleasant temperature of 38 to 40 degrees Celsius. While you relax in warm water, small spells bubble on the edge of the pool and spray steam clouds: an authentic bath experience in full nature. On my first trip to Iceland I had the opportunity to meet the Krauma baths, a very special experience that I don’t want to miss!
In Krauma, hot steam rises from Earth: closely experience the geothermal energy of Iceland.
Reading Council: Discover Iceland: a full travel guide
If you want to spend more time on the island and explore Iceland outside the usual tourist routes, the Reise Know-How Iceland* Jörg-Thomas Titz travel guide will be an excellent companion. The book not only offers detailed routes suggestions and practical councils on accommodation and restaurants, but also information about the history, geology and culture of the country. What makes this travel guide special is the balanced mixture of classical places of interest and less known privileged advice. In addition to attractions as well known as the golden circle or the southern coast, the author leads to remote places that are rarely mentioned in many other travel guides.
Conclusion: Is the golden circle worth?
I wanted to know if the golden circle is really the best experience in Iceland. Nature is undoubtedly impressive, but here it is difficult to find loneliness. If you can withstand the crowds, you can experience three of the most impressive places in the country in one day. But when I think of my previous 48 -hour trip to Iceland, it was more intense, more original. If you have more time, you should consider whether an alternative route or Reykiavik itself could be a better option.
The golden circle is perfect for a day excursion, but do not expect an experience in full nature.
The Hraunfossar cascades: innumerable small waterfalls that sprout directly from a lava field.
Another advice for Iceland travelers
The Kingjavík City Card is the ideal partner for your stay in the northernmost capital in the world: it offers free admission or a reduced price to numerous museums and attractions, as well as free trips in public transport.
Note: *The links marked with an asterisk are the so -called “affiliate links” or “Amazon partners links.” This means that if you buy the product through this link, I will receive a small Amazon commission. There is no additional cost for the reader.
This article was reproduced with authorization from the author.
Photos gentilly ceded by the author.
Tanja Neumann is a journalist based on Krefeld (Germany) “in the middle between Italy and Austria” as she defines, and writes about her passions in her blog, Vielweib on Tour, where she has achieved a vast number of followers and in which she recounts in detail her select journeys that join pleasure, culinary delights, cruises, walks through the city, luxury, luxury experience extraordinary, wellness, breaks, and even tours of road convertible.
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