Iceland’s Golden Circle: Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss

Route description

Leave Reykjavík on route 1 towards Mosfellsbær, then turn onto route 36 for Þingvellir, about 45 minutes away. The national park lies in the rift between the North American and Eurasian plates and was the site of Iceland’s parliament from 930. Parking is paid at the visitor centre above the Almannagjá gorge, and a path leads down through the rift to the old assembly site.

Continue on route 365 over the heath to Laugarvatn, a lakeside village with geothermal baths. Route 37 and route 35 then lead to Haukadalur, where Strokkur erupts every few minutes beside the mostly dormant Great Geysir. The geothermal area is free to walk around. Keep to the roped paths, as the ground and water are very hot, and watch your step on the wet boardwalks.

Gullfoss is 10 km further east on route 35, where the Hvítá river drops in two steps into a narrow gorge. Paths from the upper car park lead down to the falls; the lower trail is often closed in winter. Beyond Gullfoss the road becomes the Kjölur highland route, a rough gravel road open only in summer and off-limits for most rental cars, so turn back here.

Head south on route 35 past Skálholt, the old bishop’s seat, to Kerið, a red crater lake with a small entry fee. Hveragerði is 20 minutes on, a greenhouse town where the Reykjadalur path leads for about 3 km to a warm river you can bathe in. Reykjavík is 45 minutes away over the Hellisheiði pass on route 1. The whole loop is about 250 km.