Around the Golden Circle

Iceland’s landscape holds dramatic features in a concentration seen nowhere else on earth. You can find active volcanoes, glaciers, and a valley where the country is literally being pulled apart. A one-day drive along the roads known collectively as the Golden Circle will show you why this country is called the Land of Fire and Ice. You’ll see powerful waterfalls, a national park, and Geysir, the place that gave its name to modern geysers everywhere.

The route starts in the capital city of Reykjavik then heads toward the center of the island. It loops around to bring you, 155 miles (250 kilometers) later, back to where you started. The Golden Circle gets its name in part from a waterfall along the way called Gullfoss, meaning “golden falls.”

First, Some History

If you chose to go directly east, your first stop is Thingvellir National Park, a location 28 miles away that carries significant historical and geological value. It was the first national park in Iceland, created to preserve the site of the country’s first parliament, which was founded in 930 CE. Iceland is one of two countries that hold the record for the world’s oldest surviving parliament. Thingvellir has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its main geological attraction is the rift where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates are moving apart at a rate of two centimeters per year.

Geysers in Geysir

Your next stop is Geysir geothermal field. Located in a volcanic zone, numerous hot springs fill the air with steam and sulfur. Here the Great Geysir lies dormant. However, only 300 feet away, the Strokkur geyser erupts every five to 10 minutes. This one can blow water up to 65 feet in the air! Because the soil contains sulfur, copper and iron, you’ll see patches of ground in vivid shades of yellow, green, and red.

Halfway Point

Driving a little farther north, you’ll come to the Gullfoss waterfall. The most famous one in Iceland, it flows from the country’s second largest glacier. The waterfall has two large steps (dropping 36 and 71 feet) and falls into a 105-foot crevice. It is so powerful that you can feel the mist and rumbling from the observation point.

Geothermal Greenhouse

Hungry for lunch yet? Head south to Fridheimar Greenhouse. Don’t let the cold fool you, because underneath your feet is an abundant supply of geothermal energy. The naturally occurring hot water is used to heat greenhouses where tomatoes grow year round. The greenhouse restaurant will serve you all things tomato: soup, ravioli with tomato sauce, and tomato and mozzarella tortillas.

One Final Sight

The final leg of the trip takes you to Kerid volcanic crater. What was once a cone-shaped volcano collapsed into a crater after a violent eruption 3,000 years ago. At 180 feet in depth, the relatively young age of the crater means it has vivid red sides. The lake contained within the crater is a stunning blue due to mineral deposits. Take some time to appreciate this incredible geological site before heading back to Reykjavik.

Now that you’ve spent a day sampling Iceland’s unusual beauty, you’ll undoubtedly want to see more. Luckily for you, an even longer road encircles the entire island. Pack up and get ready for 828 miles of fascinating scenery along Iceland’s Ring Road!

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