Gullni hringurinn from Selfoss: Iceland’s classic volcanic loop
Published on 08/27/2026 at 23:04 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Gullni hringurinn, the Icelandic name for the Golden Circle, is a driving loop in southwest Iceland that weaves between Selfoss, Reykjavík and the volcanic interior, linking a tectonic rift valley, geothermal fields and a powerful glacier-fed waterfall in one circuit. Rooted in the landscape of Suðurland in the south, it brings together Þingvellir National Park, the geothermal valley of Haukadalur around Geysir and the waterfall Gullfoss in a route that has become a classic introduction to Iceland’s geology and history.Leiðin liggur um Þingvelli, Gullfoss og Geysi
A loop of rift, steam and river around Selfoss
At its core, Gullni hringurinn is a touring loop in southwest Iceland that connects three widely recognised stops: Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss, with the Selfoss region acting as a gateway on the southern side of the circuit.a circular driving route in south?west Iceland that connects three widely recognised stops Þingvellir lies in a rift valley where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, Geysir sits in a geothermal field of hot springs and erupting water, and Gullfoss drops the Hvítá river into a stepped canyon fed by the Langjökull ice cap.Der Gullfoss-Wasserfall ist Teil des Flusses Hvítá, welcher von Islands zweitgrößtem Gletscher, dem Langjökull, gespeist wird
The loop is most commonly driven from Reykjavík, heading inland and then curving back through the south towards Selfoss before rejoining the main coastal highway.Die Strecke ist eine Rundreise mit insgesamt knapp 300 km und der Start- und Zielpunkt ist die Hauptstadt Reykjavik Selfoss, a town south-east of Reykjavík, sits near the junction of the main Ring Road and the inland routes, making it a practical base for travellers who want to explore Gullni hringurinn while also reaching other parts of Suðurland.Selfoss, eine Kleinstadt südöstlich von Reykjavík, ist für viele Island-Besucher der praktische Ausgangspunkt in den Gullni hringurinn
Geological drama and historic depth on the Golden Circle
The three principal stops on Gullni hringurinn each show a different face of Iceland. Þingvellir lies in a broad valley where fissures and cliffs mark the line between tectonic plates, and it also carries deep historic resonance as the site of the Alþingi, the national assembly, which met there for centuries.historic Þingvellir (Thingvellir) area In Haukadalur, east of Selfoss, geothermal activity pushes hot water and steam to the surface around Geysir, with pools and vents dotting the valley floor.the Geysir geothermal area At Gullfoss, the Hvítá river flows from Langjökull and cascades in stages into a rocky gorge, its mist rising from the canyon walls.
Beyond these anchors, many versions of the Golden Circle route include additional stops such as the crater lake Kerið and historic Skálholt, threading smaller sights between the major ones.fer líka um Skálholt og Kerið The circuit’s length is commonly described as around a few hundred kilometres, and travellers on the road between Selfoss and Reykjavík encounter a changing landscape of lava fields, farmland and river plains as the loop turns inland and back towards the coast.eine rund 300 Kilometer lange Route, die auf ihrem Weg einige große Sehenswürdigkeiten streift
Routes, roads and the role of Selfoss
The structure of Gullni hringurinn is shaped by Iceland’s main roads. Many routes use the Ring Road (Route 1) from Reykjavík to Selfoss before turning north on inland roads towards Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss.Wer mit dem Mietwagen Richtung Süden startet, fährt auf der Ringstraße bis Selfoss, von dort auf der Straße Nummer 35 nach Norden weiter Some itineraries connect Selfoss to the highland road network, including tracks that reach the interior beyond the Golden Circle, while others treat the town as a turning point between coastal travel and inland excursions.Goldener Kreis Island (Gullni hringurinn) is in southwest Iceland, forming a loop that starts and ends near Reykjavik and passes close to Selfoss
Because Selfoss lies near the southern arc of the loop, it often appears in guides as a base town on or near the circuit, alongside smaller settlements such as Laugarvatn and Flúðir that stand closer to some of the geothermal and river landmarks.smábæirnir Selfoss, Laugarvatn og Flúðir beint á hringnum From here, travellers can follow signed roads towards Þingvellir and Geysir, cross bridges over the Hvítá and other rivers, and move between volcanic plateaus and lowland plains as they complete the loop back towards Reykjavík or continue further east along Suðurland.
Visiting Gullni hringurinn: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Gullni hringurinn lies in southwest Iceland, with Selfoss south-east of Reykjavík on the main Ring Road; from Selfoss, inland routes lead towards Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss.
- The terrain along the Golden Circle ranges from paved lowland roads near Selfoss to higher ground around the rift valley and waterfall, with sections of exposed lava, gravel and uneven ground at viewpoints.
- The wider Gullni hringurinn region belongs to Suðurland in Iceland, a landscape of rivers, geothermal valleys and volcanic plateaus that extends from the coast near Selfoss towards the interior.
- The official language is Icelandic and the currency is the Icelandic króna.
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Frequently asked questions about Gullni hringurinn
Where is Gullni hringurinn in relation to Selfoss?
Gullni hringurinn is a touring loop in southwest Iceland that starts and ends near Reykjavík and passes close to the Selfoss region in Suðurland.
What can travellers expect on a visit to Gullni hringurinn?
A typical circuit links Þingvellir National Park, the geothermal valley around Geysir in Haukadalur and the glacier-fed waterfall Gullfoss, with additional stops such as Kerið and Skálholt on some routes.
What makes Gullni hringurinn distinctive among Icelandic routes?
It combines a tectonic rift valley, active geothermal fields and a major waterfall in one accessible loop that can be reached from Reykjavík and the Selfoss area.
