Theresa's Mixed Nuts: Iceland's Gullfoss and Skogafoss

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Iceland's Gullfoss and Skogafoss

I'm wrapping up my Icelandic waterfall posts today by showing you two more of my favorites that we came across on our trek across the lower region of Iceland. I didn't take too many pictures of either of these stops, but that doesn't mean that they aren't incredibly impressive in person. I was just really tired and ready to head home by the time we reached these stops on our itinerary.

Skogafoss is one of the largest waterfalls in Iceland, and arguably one of the most beautiful that I had seen there. It measures at 82 feet with a 200 foot drop. On clear, sunny days you can usually find a rainbow (or even a double) because of its consistent spray.

Skogafoss, Iceland

Skogafoss, Iceland

A fun tidbit about this waterfall. It's said that the first Viking settler buried a treasure in a cave behind the waterfall. The story has it that the locals found the chest, but were only able to hold on to its ring before the chest vanished back into the water. The ring was donated to the church, and now that church door ring sits in the Skogar museum.

Skogafoss, Iceland


If Skogafoss looks familiar to you, it's been in several hit television shows and movies, such as Game of Thrones and Thor.

When we arrived, we noticed that this is a popular spot for camping. Even though it was really cold, there were tons of tents lined up where the gravel meets the grass. I imagine you can get an amazing night's sleep listening to the rush of this waterfall. If we get back to Iceland some day, I am totally camping overnight here!


I also wanted to give you a glimpse of Gullfoss waterfall.


This waterfall is located on the Golden Circle route, so it's one of the most visited waterfalls in Iceland. It was definitely crowded when we arrived, but it was our last stop of our trip, so that was to be expected.


The way the waterfall is spread out, it appears to drop into an abyss, but in reality it's only a modest 105 foot drop. To me though, it felt massive standing there looking at it in person! If you can see the silhouettes of the other visitors we encountered that day, they got to the viewing platform by following a nicely paved pathway, making that viewing spot easily accessible. We didn't go that far ourselves, but I calculated that it's only a 5 to 10 minute walk to get to that point of the falls. I felt we saw enough of what Gullfoss had to offer by standing at the top of the lookout, but if you have the time, I'm sure it will be worth your while to make the trek down that way.


We saw 4 absolutely incredible waterfalls in under 18 hours in Iceland, and that barely scratches the surface of how many you'll see there. If you're thinking of going on a waterfall hunting adventure, I'm convinced there's no better place to do that than in Iceland!



Camping outside near a waterfall, yay or nay?




36 comments:

  1. Yay, such a wonderful place! Waterfalls are so beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Magnificent! And really cool story about the ring. No, we are not campers, so no sleeping outdoors anywhere.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've only done camping outdoors once when I was in my teens, but I think I'd like to try again as an adult. I'm not sure I'd like it, but I'd definitely try it once more.

      Delete
  3. Foss seems to be the thing in Iceland. The second and third photo from the bottom are stunning, but I'd have jeepers creepers there - huge heights plus deep water plus angled terrain = my worst nightmare LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Foss is big there along with a bunch of words nobody can pronounce LOL

      Poor Dezzy wouldn't get a wink of sleep camping near these waterfalls :P

      Delete
  4. I love that there were tents lined up. Yes, if it wasn't during a pandemic, I would 100 percent camp there. That sounds so fun and I LOVE the photos. Love them!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'd love to go back once travel is safe again. The lovely thing about Iceland is it's never crowded (except the Blue Lagoon) wherever you go. They aren't a heavily populated country, so it's easy to stay away from people there.

      Delete
  5. This is a very unusual and beautiful place! I'd like to go there sometime
    http://www.recklessdiary.ru/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope you are able to some day. It's a truly incredible country!

      Delete
  6. Dang I think I hit publish on my comment before I was done.

    I love waterfalls. I wish we had some more in the US.

    I love camping! My boys stayed in a tent in the backyard two nights ago. We still don't feel safe sharing bathrooms, and traveling. Someday we'll be able to go somewhere again I hope! Without worrying about COVID.

    ReplyDelete
  7. For me, camping anywhere is a nay, so don't go by my answer. :) I love your interest in waterfalls. They are gorgeous, but I imagine a little intimidating in person.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You really do feel so small and insignificant when standing next to one!

      Delete
  8. I would definitely like to do that

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow, this waterfall in Iceland looks stunning!.
    The water discharge is very swift and the natural landscape looks like a waterfall in the film.
    Your video is also beautiful.

    Have a nice week, Theresa.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Himawan! I think you'd love it there!

      Delete
  10. Breath Taking - So Happy For You - Adventure On My Dear

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow, each of those places are so pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  12. This is absolutely magical and stunning view! I´d love to go there!

    Blog de la Licorne * Instagram * We♥It

    ReplyDelete
  13. Spinning with delight? haha both sure are quite the sight. Not sure I'd consider a 105ft drop that modest if I were falling 105ft haha as for camping, pffft is all camping gets from me anywhere. Unless maybe if it is in an RV.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Spinning with delight, indeed! RV is the way to go, but I can only take a few days of that nonsense.

      Delete
  14. Wow - catching up from a looooooong break. Looks like ya'll had an amazing trip, and the pictures are gorgeous! And I'm for Yay on camping near the waterfall. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Welcome back! You've been missed. Hope you and the family are doing well ♥

      Delete
  15. Those are spectacular!!! What a great pro for visiting Iceland. Every time I've seen scenery there, I've thought, 'how beautiful.' Your pictures of Ireland are equally mesmerizing. The white horse on your Instagram still being one of my most favorites!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gosh, I miss that white horse so much. I could have spent all day with him. He was soooo friendly!

      Iceland has got to be one of the most beautiful countries on earth. It's seriously mesmerizing everywhere you look.

      Delete
  16. Hi, Theresa! I'm playing catchup again. I have been to both of these magical waterfalls, and I trekked all over the area. I long to return to Iceland! To me, it looks like there is more water running in both falls compared with when Terry and I visited them. You have done an amazing job of taking your daughters to see wonderful places.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for your comments! I appreciate every one of them :) Except promotional posts with added links. Those will be deleted.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...