On the morning of February 25, 2025, I arrived at Gullfoss, a name I had seen over and over while planning the Iceland trip.

The parking area was large, and a short walk across a lightly snow-covered path led toward the viewpoints. It was not a long approach, but the snow and ice made the winter setting obvious from the start.

A broad snowy walking path leading from the parking area toward the Gullfoss viewpoints
The short snow-covered walk from the parking area toward the falls. Personal photo · 2025-02-25

Wider than I expected

My first reaction from the viewpoint was not that Gullfoss was especially tall. It was how wide the water looked.

Of all the waterfalls I had seen up to that point, this one felt the broadest and carried the most water. Snow and ice covered much of the surrounding rock, but the main current was still moving with enormous force.

The broad upper cascade of Gullfoss flowing through a snow-covered winter landscape
The width and volume of the upper cascade were the first things I noticed. Personal photo · 2025-02-25
The broad flow of Gullfoss continuing over several rocky steps
The amount of moving water came across much better in motion. Personal photo · 2025-02-25

Official information describes Gullfoss as a two-stage waterfall on the Hvítá River. The upper drop is about 11 metres and the lower one about 20 metres, while the average flow is listed at roughly 109 cubic metres per second. The huge amount of water I felt on site was not just an impression.

Big, but difficult to see all at once

The one thing I found slightly frustrating was how difficult it was to see the entire waterfall in a single view.

The broad upper flow continues downstream, then turns and drops into a narrow canyon. That structure makes the waterfall feel powerful, but it also hides part of it depending on where you stand.

In some ways that made Gullfoss more interesting. Water that had been spreading across a wide river suddenly seemed to disappear into the cliffs, and the shape of the falls changed every time I moved to another viewpoint.

Gullfoss dropping into a deep snow-covered canyon below the upper falls
The lower section where the wide river turns and drops into the canyon. Personal photo · 2025-02-25
Water from Gullfoss dropping continuously into the deep winter canyon
The depth of the canyon was easier to understand once the water was moving. Personal photo · 2025-02-25

There seemed to be a lower route too

The site map showed that the viewpoint system was not limited to one spot.

A snow-covered site map showing walking routes and viewpoints around Gullfoss
The site map was partly covered in snow, but several viewing routes were still visible. Personal photo · 2025-02-25

I remember there being a route that continued down toward a lower viewpoint, but I did not take it on this visit.

Current official tourism information warns that Gullfoss trails can be closed depending on conditions and recommends checking SafeTravel before visiting. In winter, snow and ice can close the lower routes, so the existence of a path does not necessarily mean it is open that day.

I did not spend a long time at Gullfoss.

It felt less like a place built around a long walk or activity and more like a stop made specifically to see one very large waterfall. Even so, the scale was enough to make it memorable. It was the widest and most water-heavy waterfall I had seen up to that point.

I did not stay long at Gullfoss, but the waterfall was large enough that the short stop still felt complete.

Continue Exploring Secret Lagoon, a quiet winter soak on the Golden Circle

PRACTICAL INFO

  • Place: Gullfoss Waterfall, Iceland
  • Visited: Morning of Feb 25, 2025
  • Structure: Official information describes two stages, with an upper drop of about 11 m and a lower drop of about 20 m.
  • Flow: Official geology information lists an average flow of about 109 m³ per second.
  • Protected area: Gullfoss and the canyon below it have been protected as a nature reserve since 1979.
  • Walking: Viewpoint trails can close depending on weather and surface conditions.
  • Winter check: Check SafeTravel and on-site closures before using lower or icy paths.
  • My route: I parked in the upper parking area and followed the snow-covered walking route through the main viewpoints.
  • Info checked: 2026-10-03