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EuropeRoad-tripWest Iceland

Icelandic Road Trip – The Golden Circle

November 15, 2014 59 Comments

That day, we explored the Golden circle and our first stop was at Þingvellir National Park.  The park contains the largest natural lake of Iceland, Þingvallavatn and the well-known Almannagja Fissure, the boundary of the North-America Tectonic Plate.

We also stopped at Oxararfoss Waterfall. The base of the waterfall is filled with rocks and that was quite pleasant to look at. Then we had a look at Hrafnagja Fissure and a few others close by before stopping by the church. The rain was a lot harder, so we decided to go back to the car park.

Þingvellir National Park
Þingvellir National Park
Þingvellir National Park
Oxararfoss Waterfall
Hrafnagja Fissure
Þingvellir National Park
the church at Þingvellir
the church at Þingvellir
Þingvellir National Park
Þingvellir National Park

After that, we headed towards Haukadalur Valley, a geothermal area where are located various geothermal features such as mud pools, fumaroles, algal deposits and of course, geysers !!! That was really busy and of course, it was raining so much ! It was interesting to know that the English word “geyser” is derived from the Icelandic word “geysir” which means gusher. Geysir is more or less dormant geyser and the attraction of the area is now Strokkur which erupts at regular intervals every 10 minutes or so. Its white column of boiling water can reach as high as 30 meters. When we arrived near the hot springs, it was raining so much that my camera was completely soaked.. (as you can see in the only picture I took it’s full of water drop everywhere). So I wasn’t able to take any good pictures, sorry guys ! 🙁

Haukadalur Valley
Haukadalur Valley
Haukadalur Valley
Haukadalur Valley
Strokkur
Strokkur
Haukadalur Valley

Gullfoss waterfall was one of our last stops before going to the guesthouse. A very slippery trail descended to the gorge carved out by the falls and lead to brinks of both the lower and upper tiers of Gullfoss. It was nice to see the power of a non-frozen Gullfoss 😉 I would have been nice with a bit of sunshine !

Gullfoss waterfall
Gullfoss waterfall
Gullfoss waterfall

After the waterfall, continue on 35, pass in front of Reykholt Village, the largest area of green houses in Iceland, had  a burger then went to the guesthouse.

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Previous Article Icelandic Road Trip – So much rain but a beautiful waterfall
Next Article Icelandic Road Trip – On our way to Landmannalaugar

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59 Comments

  1. Destination Unknown By Kels Reply
    January 14, 2015 at 11:53 am

    Lovely photos! Im off to explore Iceland in February – can not wait 🙂 any tips or suggestions? Golden Circle is on my list 🙂

    • darwinontherocks Reply
      January 14, 2015 at 12:02 pm

      How exciting !!! For how long ?

      I made a itinerary and a map with all the important attractions in Iceland. So I recommend you looking at it : https://beautifuliceland.wordpress.com/category/europe/iceland/road-trip-iceland/itinerary-road-trip/map-itinerary/ 🙂

      You can also find suggestion in the menu/header “Iceland” 🙂

      • Destination Unknown By Kels Reply
        January 14, 2015 at 1:29 pm

        For 4 days, short but sweet visit.

        Wow thats very kind, thank you 🙂 great, going to read it. 🙂

        • darwinontherocks Reply
          January 14, 2015 at 1:37 pm

          So, are you going to stay in Reykjavik and make day trip, or rent a car ? Jokulsarlon lagoon is pretty amazing but it’s a bit further away. Apparently, at this season, it’s possible to visit the ice caves…. apparently, it is an amazing experience !

  2. Wooly and Raeski Reply
    December 2, 2014 at 10:21 pm

    Iceland has been on our list of places to see. I think your pictures just moved it up into the bucket list status.

    • darwinontherocks Reply
      December 3, 2014 at 7:07 am

      I really recommend visiting it ! It’s for everyone, but especially nature lovers 🙂

  3. Packing my Suitcase Reply
    November 18, 2014 at 7:13 am

    Your pictures really inspire me to become a better photographer!
    And this place is gorgeous, I love waterfalls <3

    • darwinontherocks Reply
      November 18, 2014 at 8:04 am

      Thank you for this heartwarming comment ! When I look at other photography blogs, I have that same feeling, I’m thinking, “Oh I have to get better to be able to take these amazing kind of pictures” 🙂

      • Packing my Suitcase Reply
        November 18, 2014 at 10:17 am

        You are welcome, my pleasure and nothing more than the truth!! I still need to get better, and learn some more technical stuff hahaha But dont worry, you are on the right way to become a professional 😀

        • darwinontherocks Reply
          November 18, 2014 at 12:27 pm

          haha, yeah ! I need more travels to be able to train myself and get better 😀 😀 That’s my excuse !

          • Packing my Suitcase
            November 19, 2014 at 8:58 am

            hahahaha that is a great excuse!!!! From now on… me too hahaha 😀 😀

  4. mlgray117 Reply
    November 18, 2014 at 2:21 am

    These are amazing photos! I went to Iceland a couple of years ago, and it is such a unique and stunning country, even in the rain.

    • darwinontherocks Reply
      November 18, 2014 at 8:06 am

      It is a beautiful country ! And it’s also good all year round. I’ve been there previously during winter, and it was also stunning, especially the light.

      • mlgray117 Reply
        November 18, 2014 at 4:29 pm

        Oh wow! I bet it is, I could only imagine. 😀

  5. rosemaylily2014 Reply
    November 18, 2014 at 1:19 am

    I think your photos are spectacular Gin even with the hindrance of the rain! I am so impressed with the scenery and the wild and wonderful waterfalls and geysers it is so beautiful despite the weather! Would you mind if I shared the link to your post on my Le Chic En Rose facebook page? I think people would be really interested (the page is for people who want to follow my posts but don’t have a WordPress account). I like to highlight blogs that I think are worth reading on there as well as my own blog posts!! 🙂 No problem if not! Have a great week too and look forward to the next instalment of your Icelandic travels I really enjoy reading them! 🙂

    • darwinontherocks Reply
      November 18, 2014 at 7:40 am

      I don’t mind at all, please, feel free to share it, you don’t have to ask for permission 🙂 Raw nature is always beautiful, and sometimes, even more spectacular with a dramatic background. But with a blue sky, it would be definitively be even more gorgeous I bet ! This trip is slowly coming to an end, and I think I have 1 or 2 posts left about this wonderful trip 🙂

      • rosemaylily2014 Reply
        November 20, 2014 at 7:05 am

        Thanks Gin! 🙂 I’ve loved all your Icelandic posts and will head over now to read your latest one (have had a busy few days and need to catch up with my blog reading!). I’ll post a link to your latest post on the Le Chic En Rose fb page – I wasn’t sure what the etiquette was being quite new to blogging and thought it best to ask first! I will miss my weekly updates on Iceland! It certainly looks a wonderful trip! 🙂

        • darwinontherocks Reply
          November 20, 2014 at 9:47 am

          In December, I’m going to Lapland, so it will be interesting as well I think 🙂

          • rosemaylily2014
            November 20, 2014 at 12:47 pm

            It certainly will Gin – I look forward to reading about your travels to Lapland 🙂 I have seen it on tv programmes but would be lovely to hear about it from your perspective and see some more photos! 🙂

  6. inesephoto Reply
    November 17, 2014 at 8:15 pm

    Amazing display of waterfalls and geysers. Great images!

    • darwinontherocks Reply
      November 17, 2014 at 8:18 pm

      The geysers were really smelly, but not as smelly as in Yellowstone 🙂

      • inesephoto Reply
        November 17, 2014 at 8:23 pm

        It is what they are 🙂 They always remind me Science Fiction novels about the planets with deadly atmosphere. A little bit scary things.

        • darwinontherocks Reply
          November 17, 2014 at 8:26 pm

          Yeah exactly, it feels very strange being next to them. They are a bit out of this world. We read the book “death in Yellowstone” and we were surprised to read about the people who died in hot pools, geysers etc… It’s beautiful but dangerous.

          • inesephoto
            November 17, 2014 at 8:36 pm

            Dangerous indeed. You never know when the concentration of the gases reaches the deadly level:( Secret life of the Earth.

  7. Indah Susanti Reply
    November 17, 2014 at 8:01 pm

    These are amazing photos..they showed how natures are! Great captures!

    • darwinontherocks Reply
      November 17, 2014 at 8:04 pm

      It really illustrates the raw power of nature 🙂

  8. allesistgut Reply
    November 17, 2014 at 8:19 am

    How beautiful and interesting to see those place in such a bad weather. Brrrr…. We did the Golden circle in the other direction and started with Gullfoss. My absolutely highlight was Þingvellir. I’ll never forget this view over the landscape, the width was incredible. Have a happy day! 🙂

    • darwinontherocks Reply
      November 17, 2014 at 8:29 am

      haha, is this sarcastic ? 😀 I would have preferred to see it under a bright sun to be honest, we were so drenched 😀

      We were coming from the North West, so it was easier for us to start with Þingvellir, and we avoided the crowds since most of the tours are doing the other way 🙂

  9. iledevix Reply
    November 17, 2014 at 2:16 am

    You capture water really beautifully: Iceland is looking very fresh! I especially love the serenity that Iceland’s natural features exude. I just wish I could pronounce some of these Icelandic names!

    • darwinontherocks Reply
      November 17, 2014 at 7:18 am

      Iceland is also looking very wet 😀 Traveling in Iceland gives you a feeling of calm and serinity. Everything is so quiet and beautiful. As for the icelandic names…. good luck ! I can’t ! 😀

      • iledevix Reply
        November 17, 2014 at 11:53 am

        Hahaha 🙂 Travelling in Iceland sounds like medicine to me. I could do well with a big dose of Icelandic tranquility. One day!

  10. susanpots Reply
    November 16, 2014 at 6:35 pm

    Sounds like a lot very impressive natural wonders all in one day:)
    The waterfall looks so impressive – so much larger than the others you teased us with. Even though the weather did not cooperate, it did keep you moving. How else could you have squeezed in so many fabulous places in one day?

    • darwinontherocks Reply
      November 16, 2014 at 8:35 pm

      Yes, the waterfall is amazingly powerful. Even from a distance, you can get really wet ! All the attractions are not too far away from each other, especially the geyser and the waterfall, even if you do it peacefully and if you take a cup of coffee at each place 🙂

  11. photographybyroger Reply
    November 16, 2014 at 3:34 pm

    What a beautiful country. You have some wonderful pictures and I bet a lot of GREAT memories. I enjoy your post and look forward to reading and seeing more pictures.

    • darwinontherocks Reply
      November 16, 2014 at 4:55 pm

      We had so many good memories, it’s true ! and sometimes, the worst weather makes the best memories 🙂

  12. Sreejith Vijayakumar Reply
    November 16, 2014 at 2:47 pm

    awesome!!!

    • darwinontherocks Reply
      November 16, 2014 at 4:55 pm

      A big wet but very nice !

  13. Lucy Reply
    November 16, 2014 at 10:35 am

    What a gorgeous waterfall. The landscape is breathtaking! Thank you for sharing your adventures with us! <3

    • darwinontherocks Reply
      November 16, 2014 at 12:43 pm

      In the past, drowning was used as a method of execution. In Thingvellir, people were drowned in this waterfall actually. Some reports mentioned women tied up in a sack, pushed out into the pool and held under the waterfall. It’s a beautiful place but full of horrible memories.

  14. hsiusophia0324 Reply
    November 16, 2014 at 5:16 am

    Hi Gin:
    The Iceland’s largest natural lake, it really attractive!!
    “Geyser” like a huge fountain and Reykholt Village waterfall is spectacular.

    • darwinontherocks Reply
      November 16, 2014 at 8:06 am

      Yes, Geyser is like a very powerful fountain, better not to get too close of it 🙂

  15. Maria F. Reply
    November 16, 2014 at 3:01 am

    Strokkur is really impressive and so are the waterfalls. This must be a geologist’s paradise!

    • darwinontherocks Reply
      November 16, 2014 at 8:07 am

      It must be a geologist’s paradise indeed ! Volcano, mountains, fissure, weird cliffs,… 😀

  16. pagedogs Reply
    November 15, 2014 at 11:33 pm

    You must have been sun starved by this time! It looks like you had very few sunny days.

    • darwinontherocks Reply
      November 16, 2014 at 8:10 am

      I was and a bit desperate as well 😉 The end of the trip was very rainy but you will see that the sun will make an impressive come back for my last days in Iceland 😀

  17. André Reply
    November 15, 2014 at 11:23 pm

    Hi Gin, I nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blog Award. I couldn’t resist mentioning you and your blog in my post 😀

    • darwinontherocks Reply
      November 16, 2014 at 8:11 am

      Thank you 🙂

  18. Girl Gone Expat Reply
    November 15, 2014 at 7:49 pm

    WoW! Fantastic! Iceland is for sure on my bucket list!

    • darwinontherocks Reply
      November 16, 2014 at 8:12 am

      I was looking at your blog and I was impressed by the number of country you’ve visited. Do you think you may have to go to Iceland for your work ? 😀

      • Girl Gone Expat Reply
        November 16, 2014 at 5:04 pm

        No unfortunately, not for work as we do not have an office there. But for holidays – oh yes!

  19. Francis.R. Reply
    November 15, 2014 at 4:23 pm

    Gulfoss looks very powerful, and the sepultures with natural stones are also very powerful, I’d like to have one like that in the mine (several years in the future I hope :D)
    Beautiful photographs from a place that seems ripped from a mythological world.

    • darwinontherocks Reply
      November 16, 2014 at 8:16 am

      Iceland seems to be out of this world something, with the impressive geology landmarks. Last time I went to Iceland, in winter 2012, Gullfoss was completely frozen and we couldn’t really realize how powerful it was !

  20. Robin S. Kent Reply
    November 15, 2014 at 4:10 pm

    Even with the rain, your scenes are impressive. Your perseverance in difficult shooting conditions is admirable. Thanks for the post.

    • darwinontherocks Reply
      November 16, 2014 at 8:14 am

      You can’t really do anything than to try to enjoy it, despite the rain 🙂 But after a few days of bad weather, you start to feel a bit depressed because you have the feeling that you are missing out some beautiful sights.

  21. The Reclining Gentleman Reply
    November 15, 2014 at 2:17 pm

    I loved the golden circle trip. I found the landscapes of Iceland beautiful and fascinating, and the golden circle demonstrates this to the full.
    Wonderful pics as usual!

    • darwinontherocks Reply
      November 16, 2014 at 8:17 am

      The golden circle is a must do if you don’t have a lot of time to spend in Iceland. It’s not too far away from Reykjavik and you can cover it in one day. The only drawback is that it’s very popular and can be really full of people.

      • The Reclining Gentleman Reply
        November 18, 2014 at 5:47 pm

        I went in September and it wasn’t that crowded at all

        • darwinontherocks Reply
          November 18, 2014 at 5:55 pm

          Lucky you ! During summer, there were at least 10 to 15 bus of tourists waiting in the parking area 🙂

          • The Reclining Gentleman
            November 18, 2014 at 6:30 pm

            10 to 15 buses!!! wow,, that’s busy!

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I love travelling and exploring new countries. I’ve spent a few months in Galapagos Islands during summer 2011 and that was the beginning of my passion for travelling.

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