Gulfoss Island

Gulfoss Island Iceland

The Golden Waterfalls (Gullfoss) are situated in the upper part of River Hvita. The water cascades down two steps, one 11 m high, and the other 22 m, into the 2,5 km long canyon below. This canyon was created at the end of the Ice Age by catastrophic flood waves and is lengthened by 25 cm a year by the constant erosion.

Glacial water is brownish, since it carries lots of Sediments that the glacial ice has carved off the earth. Gullfoss is called the "Golden Falls", since on a sunny day the water plunging down the three step staircase and then tumbeling in two steps down into the 32 m deep crevice truly looks golden. To stand at Gullfoss and wallow in the beauty and the wonder of nature is an uplifting experience. One feels more energetic when leaving Gullfoss than when arriving.  The volume of water that spills over Gullfoss is 80-140 cubic meters/second.  A safe walk way has been built for people to walk right up to the falls, while at the top of the falls is another viewing deck where a different  point is available for  great photography.