Iceland's Golden Circle in One Day. Self Drive Itinerary

When we visited Iceland in September, a visit the the Golden Circle was a must do. But

we wanted the freedom to do everything at our own pace, so we decided to hire a car and create our own one day self drive itinerary, which you can follow below. To read about what else we got up to on our trip to Iceland you can read the blog here.

What is the Golden Circle?

Iceland's Golden Circle is a 190 mile tourist route that covers three main natural attractions - Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir Geothermal Area, and Gullfoss waterfall. The route includes some of Iceland's most famous and breath-taking natural attractions, shows a diverse range of the Icelandic landscapes and can easily be done in one day or broken down into a longer trip.

Driving Iceland's Golden Circle in One Day. Self Drive Itinerary

Staying in Reykjavic the night before, we get an early start and completed this self-guided tour in a single day, visiting most of the popular spots, and still having ample time to enjoy each location.

Our stops were as follows:

Thingvellir (Þingvellir) National Park - This was the first stop on our journey and is a magnificent UNESCO World Heritage site where you can stroll between two continents. There are numerous places to discover here, and all the trails are well-maintained, making navigation simple. There are a good few things to see here so expect to spend 1-2 hours here. Entry is free and parking costs around 1000ISK.

• Almannagjá Gorge - a stroll through Almannagjá gorge is an experience like no other. A scenic stroll that takes you from one continent to another in a matter of minutes, from the North American tectonic plate to the Eurasian. As you descend down into the gorge you will embark on a journey along a gravel trail with towering rock walls on each side where you can see the plates pulling apart from each other.

  
  

• Öxarárfoss Waterfall - found at the end of the gorge, this is a spot that you definitely don't want to miss. It's got a cool mix of history and natural beauty. It's a great place to relax and snap some amazing photos. You may recognize the waterfall from Game of Thrones, which adds to its epic vibe. In the winter the pools can freeze and the waterfall can become an impressive ice sculpture.

  
  

• Drekkingarhylur - is a stunning pond located close to the Öxará River. An oxymoron - a wonderful sight to view but with a hauntingly dark past. The pond was dubbed the Drowning Pool, from the 16th century until 1739, it was the site where many women were drowned as punishment for crimes like adultery and even lying under oath. A shocking reminder of the brutality that women were subjected to over the years.

  
  

• Silfra Fissure - If you're into diving or snorkelling, this place is a must-visit. Even if you don't want to get in the water, you should still check it out. You can see where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates come together. Silfra has the clearest natural freshwater on Earth, with visibility that can reach over 100 meters (300 feet) underwater, making it one of the coolest diving and snorkelling spots around! This is one thing that I wish we had done whilst we were there, as amazing as viewing the fissure was, I would have loved the experience of being in the water and it is something I will add to the top of my list if I return to Iceland.

  
  

• Thingvallavatn Lake - found to the South of the national park, Thingvallavatn is Iceland's largest natural lake covering 32 square miles and is 114 metres deep. There are four species of Arctic Char inhabiting this lake. You can scuba dive at Davíðsgjá (David's crack) or the Silfra Fissure and fishing trips are possible here.

  
  

The Geysir Geothermal Area - a paradise of geysirs and hot springs located in Haukadalur valley. In this spot you can catch the Strokkur Geysir shooting boiling water up to 30metres every 8-10 minutes and you can see the king of the Geysirs - the Great Geysir, which is no longer active but could blast boiling water up to about 170 meters high - wow. The Strokkur Geysir goes off most frequently so is perfect for a photo opportunity. An amazing sight, with the smell of sulphur in the air and steam rising from the ground. You'll find fumaroles, bubbling mud pots, boiling hot springs, and colourful minerals everywhere.

The place is totally free to visit, but I did feel like I had been robbed after shelling out £32 for two soups at the café. I'd give yourself at least one hour here.

Gullfoss Waterfall - also knows as the Golden Waterfall, this is one of Iceland's most famous landmarks. Famous for its massive size and jaw-dropping beauty, making it a must-see spot for anyone visiting the country. Gullfoss tumbles down in two parts, with the first drop around 11 meters and the second an impressive 21 meters into a rugged canyon shaped by nature over thousands of years. On average 100,000 litres of water plunges down into the canyon every second!! There are plenty of spots to soak in the waterfall's power, with well-kept paths and upper and lower viewing platforms that make it easy and safe to explore. This epic location is said to attract 2,000 per day so it can be pretty busy, and make sure to take a waterproof as there is a high chance you will get splashed. Plan to spend at least an hour here taking in the views.

Above are the three main stops on the Golden Circle but here are some detour stops we made to make the most of our journey -

Flúðir Secret Lagoon - Iceland's oldest swimming pool. It's a natural geothermal spot that's not as crowded as the others because it's a bit off the main path. Mostly locals hang out here, and it's a lot cheaper than the other popular lagoons. It's a natural hot spring in a geothermal area where the water remains at around a cosy 40 degrees throughout the year. The Secret Lagoon has been around since 1891, and you can even enjoy a beer while you're there. Relax whilst surrounded by nature, the steam rising, tiny geysers popping, and bubbling hot pots!

Kerid Volcanic Crater - The fresh minerals and growing plants give it these cool red and green colours. There's a blue lake in the middle that really stands out against the reds and greens. You can stroll along a trail around the top or head down and walk around the lake - both equally as impressive. The parking is free here and there is an entry fee of around 400 ISK to get in.

The next two are not part of the Golden Circle but are often combined by some tour groups. They were on the way to our next hotel for the evening so we decided to stop. Definitely worth the detour if you have the time.

Seljalandsfoss - this was my favourite waterfall of the trip. You can walk right behind the powerful falling water. It's a great spot to soak in the views of the falls, the lush greenery, and the rugged cliffs. But a heads-up, the area can get pretty wet and slippery, so make sure to wear waterproof clothes and good shoes.

Skogafoss - another waterfall on the way to our hotel for the night. It is pretty remarkable to see with a 60-meter drop and 25-meter width. We only had a quick stop here as we had been driving loads & I was all waterfalled out, but if you hang around, you can climb 370 steps to a lookout spot with amazing views of the Skoga River and the surrounding scenery.

The Golden Circle is accessible all year round and each season brings different atmosphere. This is a must do for anyone visiting Iceland. I hope my Iceland's Golden Circle in One Day. Self Drive Itinerary has helped you to plan your own trip.

As usual any comments likes or shares are hugely appreciated.

Happy Adventuring🌟