Golden Circle

The Golden Circle is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland. Its 190 mile (300 kilometer) route loops out of Reykjavik and goes into central Iceland, where most of the sites are, and then back into Reykjavik. There are three primary stops on the route are Þingvellir, Gullfoss, and the geothermally active valley of Haukadalur, which contains the geysers Geysir and Strokkur.Longer routes include: the greenhouses at Hveragerdi, the huge pseudo-crater Kerid, and the church at Skalholt, the center of Christianity in Iceland from the mid-11^th until the 18^th centuries.

Geysir

The English word geyser comes from Icelandic. Though the word refers to all geysers in general, it comes from a single geyser (in fact, the geyser) located in the South West of Iceland. The Gysir itself does not errupt very often. When Geysir does errupt, once or twice a year, it lives up to its name, spewing a jet of steaming water 200 feet into the sky. The smaller geyser Strokkur, spouts a 60-100 foot jet about once every five minutes. This area also has many walking routes and, on a clear day, a great view of Southern Iceland.

Gullfoss

Gullfoss, meaning “Golden Falls” has a 105-foot double-cascade into the churning Hvita glacial river is one of the highlights of the Golden Circle and Europe’s largest waterfall. On a sunny day, the mist clouds surrounding the battering falls are filled with dozens of rainbows. In winter, ice around the edges of the falls freezes to form beautiful shapes of ice and snow. There is a footpath which takes you close to the waterfall; giving even more magnificent views.

Þingvellir

In 930 AD chieftains in Iceland gathered in a natural amphitheater to the north and west of Reykjavik and formed what is often referred to as the world’s first parliament, the Alþingi. The meeting place was called Þingvellir (“parliament plains”), and over the next 300 years representatives came here, once a year, to elect a new leader, argue cases, and settle disputes. Today, Þingvellir National Park remains the ultimate symbol of Iceland’s independence and unity, a landscape inseparable from the national soul.

The founders of the AlÞingi found a great place to meet, it represents Iceland as it should be. Þingvellir tells the story of Iceland’s land as much as it does its people. Nowhere in the country is there a landscape that better vocalizes the geologic history of Iceland. In Þingvellir, you can stand on a bluff and see the Mid-Atlantic ridge as it carves its way north and east into the island’s interior.