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Interesting Facts About Raging Gullfoss Falls Iceland
Gullfoss waterfall is one of Iceland’s most quintessential and beautiful waterfalls. This iconic waterfall found in the Hvítá river canyon in south-west Iceland and widely spread in three steps. The average amount of water running down the waterfall is 4,900 cu ft per second in the summer and 2,800 cu ft per second in the winter.
Breathtaking view of Gullfoss Waterfall
The wide Hvita river flows southward, and about a kilometre above the falls it turns sharply to the right and flows down into a wide curved three-step and then abruptly plunges in two stages (11 meters, and 21 meters) into a crevice 32 meters deep. The crevice, about 20 meters wide and 2.5 Km in length, extends perpendicular to the flow of the river.
Gullfoss is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland. Meaning of Gullfoss is Golden Falls. Gullfoss waterfall is one of the most stunning and best-known sights in Iceland and is one of the three main landmarks of the Golden Circle.
Gullfoss makes up a part of the highly popular Golden Circle sightseeing route, alongside Geysir geothermal area and Pingvellir National Park.
A tremendously powerful glacial river Hvítá, that takes its melt-water from the glacier Langjökull about 35 km away, travels through the highlands and into the canyon above Haukadalur in Árnessýsla before dropping down two stories creating the most magnificent Gullfoss falls. The water then travels further down and into an area of the canyon Brúarhlöð.

History of Gullfoss Falls

In the early 20th century, there was much speculation about using Gullfoss to generate electricity. During this period, the waterfall was rented indirectly by its owners, Tómas Tómasson and Halldór Halldórsson, to foreign investors. However, the investors' attempts were unsuccessful. The waterfall was later sold to the state of Iceland, and is now protected.

History of Gullfoss falls

Tómas’s daughter Sigríður Tómasdóttir fought for the preservation of the waterfall. She even threatened to throw herself down. She sue the renters and unfortunately lost her cases in court. In 1940 her adopted son acquired the waterfall and later sold it to the Icelandic government. A stone memorial to Sigriður, located above the falls, depicts her profile.
Gullfoss falls is a whirruping waterfall.
Gullfoss Waterfalls is swishing over the rocks joyfully.