# Iceland’s Golden Circle: Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss

> 2-day road trip of about 197 km (123 mi) with 8 stops, from Reykjavík to Hveragerði. About 2 h 44 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b15-golden-circle/

**At a glance:** 2-day road trip of about 197 km (123 mi) with 8 stops, from Reykjavík to Hveragerði. About 2 h 44 min of driving in total. Iceland’s classic day loop from Reykjavík: the rift valley at Þingvellir, erupting Strokkur, Gullfoss, Skálholt and the Kerið crater.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 197 km (123 mi) |
| Driving | 2 h 44 min |
| Suggested days | 2 |
| Stops | 8 |
| Route | Reykjavík → Hveragerði |
| Countries | Iceland |
| Updated | June 10, 2026 |

## 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.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Reykjavík** (Iceland)
2. **Þingvellir** (Þingvellir, Iceland): Where the North American and Eurasian plates pull apart, and the site of Iceland’s parliament from 930.
3. **Laugarvatn** (Iceland)
4. **Geysir and Strokkur** (Haukadalur, Iceland): A geothermal field where Strokkur erupts every few minutes to around 20 m, beside the mostly dormant Great Geysir. There is a large car park across route 35; keep to the paths, as the water is boiling.
5. **Gullfoss** (Haukadalur, Iceland): The Hvítá river drops about 32 m in two steps into a narrow gorge. Upper and lower car parks give different views; the lower path is often closed in winter ice, and spray soaks you at the edge.
6. **Skálholt** (Skálholt, Iceland): For more than seven centuries the seat of the bishops of southern Iceland, now marked by a 1960s church above a medieval underground passage. A quiet, free stop just off route 35 between Geysir and Selfoss.
7. **Kerið** (Grímsnes, Iceland): A red volcanic crater about 55 m deep with a green lake at the bottom, beside route 35. The landowners charge a small entry fee; a path circles the rim and steps lead down to the water.
8. **Hveragerði** (Iceland)

## FAQs

**How long is Iceland’s Golden Circle: Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss?**
2-day road trip of about 197 km (123 mi) with 8 stops, from Reykjavík to Hveragerði. About 2 h 44 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Iceland’s Golden Circle: Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss?**
We suggest 2 days: about 2 h 44 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Iceland’s Golden Circle: Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss start and end?**
It starts in Reykjavík and ends in Hveragerði.

**Which countries does Iceland’s Golden Circle: Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss pass through?**
Iceland.