Many Rivers to Cross – Gullfoss

Gullfoss is known as the most beautiful waterfall in Iceland – and you might think that’s not difficult, but Iceland is a country of amazing waterfalls because it is such a young volcanic island (geologically speaking) so very little rock erosion has taken place, leading to steep and impressive waterfalls all over the place. But Gullfoss is something else again. It’s located about an hour's drive east of Reykjavik. And just six miles from the famous Geysir geothermal area (from which our word geyser derives).

What makes Gullfoss so special? Well it’s an astonishing natural process that only takes place at one time of year, late winter and early spring, when the weather conditions are just right. The waterfall never freezes over because of the fast running water and there is a path leading right down to the waterfall which is fairly muddy and can get frozen in winter, so wear good winter walking boots and take ski-poles or a good ice stick if you’re going to try to touch the water. You can walk right up to the water and touch it, but be careful as there are no guardrails to prevent you from falling – the Icelanders have a robust attitude to risk, which basically boils down to if you’re stupid enough to do it, you’re not bright enough to live! So what happens in late winter and early spring? Well the mist from the falls actually turns to snow because of the low air temperature. This means that if you get your hand wet, and hold it out into the waterfall spray, it will attract snowflakes that are rising from the fall rather than falling from the sky, and you can observe them at your leisure because the water on your had is actually below freezing point (sometimes it actually freezes into an ice glove on your skin) – don’t do it too often or stay too long or you’ll end up with frostbite!

The falls were classed as a nature reserve in 1979. Now, some 300,000 people see Gullfoss every year.

Gullfoss photograph by worldislandinfo, used under a creative commons attribution licence

 

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