Gullni hringurinn from Selfoss and Iceland’s volcanic loop

Gullni hringurinn near Selfoss ties roads, rift valley and waterfall into one compact Icelandic route with a clear southern gateway.

Gullni hringurinn is the Icelandic name for the Golden Circle, a road circuit in southwest Iceland that passes close to Selfoss. Its shape is best read in the landscape: roads, steam, water and rock rather than a single monument.

Roads, rift valley and geothermal ground

The route is a touring loop of about 300 km (190 mi), and the circuit begins and ends near Reykjavík. It links Þingvellir National Park, the geothermal valley of Haukadalur and Gullfoss on the Hvítá river. touring loop of about 300 km

Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss are the names most closely tied to the route, and they give the circuit its familiar sequence. The result is a drive that moves between a rift valley, geothermal ground and a waterfall in a single ring. Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss

Selfoss on the southern side of the loop

Selfoss sits on the eastern bank of the Ölfusá river in southwest Iceland, south-east of Reykjavík. The Ring Road crosses the river there, and inland roads branch from the town towards Þingvellir, Haukadalur and the Hvítá valley. eastern bank of the Ölfusá river

That position gives Gullni hringurinn a clear southern hinge point in the road network. The loop meets the wider Ring Road system close to Selfoss, which is why the town belongs in any account of the route. southern hinge point

Landscape contrasts between water, steam and rock

At Þingvellir, the valley lies between tectonic plates. Around Geysir, the ground is marked by steaming fields, pools and vents, with Strokkur among the best-known geothermal features. steaming fields, pools and vents

Gullfoss adds a different register again. The waterfall drops in stages into a canyon on the Hvítá river system, bringing moving water into the same route that also passes volcanic plains and low hills. drops in stages into a canyon

Visiting Gullni hringurinn: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• The route is reached by road from Reykjavík and Selfoss, with the Ring Road and inland roads forming the main approach.
• The terrain includes paved highways, upland plateaus and short walks near viewpoints at waterfalls and geothermal areas.
• Selfoss is in Iceland, where the official language is Icelandic and the currency is the Icelandic króna.
• Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
• The circuit is built around named stops rather than a single site, so the road itself is part of the visit.

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Frequently asked questions about Gullni hringurinn

Where is Gullni hringurinn in relation to Selfoss?

Gullni hringurinn is a road loop in southwest Iceland that passes close to the Selfoss area in Suðurland.

What should travellers expect on a visit?

Travellers can expect a circuit that links a rift valley, geothermal fields and a waterfall, with road travel between the main stops.

What makes Gullni hringurinn distinctive?

It combines Þingvellir, Haukadalur and Gullfoss in one loop near Reykjavík and Selfoss.