Gullni hringurinn from Selfoss, Iceland’s loop of fire and water
Published on 09/18/2026 at 12:44 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael MĂĽller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Gullni hringurinn is Iceland’s Golden Circle, a touring loop in southwest Iceland that includes Þingvellir, Haukadalur and Gullfoss. Selfoss sits on the southern side of the route, where the main road meets inland branches.
A route shaped by rift valley, geysers and waterfall
The route links three distinct landscapes. Ăžingvellir is a rift valley with a national park designation, Haukadalur holds the geothermal fields around Geysir and Strokkur, and Gullfoss drops through a narrow river gorge.
The route is a familiar way to read Iceland’s geology in one circuit. Its appeal lies in that sequence: cracked basalt country, steaming ground and a major waterfall in a single day’s drive.
Selfoss as the southern gateway
Selfoss gives the route a clear orientation point in the south. From there, roads lead inland towards Ăžingvellir and the central uplands before curving back towards the coast.
The town also places the loop in a wider South Iceland setting. ReykjavĂk lies to the north-west, and the route runs through territory associated with SuĂ°urland.
From national park to river gorge
Þingvellir is the route’s historical and geological anchor. Its landscape combines open lava fields, a lake basin and the long fissured terrain of the rift zone.
Haukadalur brings the thermal element, with geysers and hot spring ground set in a broad valley floor. Gullfoss then changes the scale again, with the HvĂtá forcing its way into a stepped canyon.
Visiting Gullni hringurinn: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Selfoss is the most useful southern orientation point on the route, and the main road connects the town with inland roads towards Ăžingvellir and Haukadalur.
- The circuit is road-based, with long stretches through open countryside and volcanic terrain. The landscape includes lava fields, geothermal ground and river valleys.
- Ăžingvellir, Haukadalur and Gullfoss are the core stops most closely associated with Gullni hringurinn.
- Icelandic is the official language and the currency is the Icelandic krona.
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Frequently asked questions about Gullni hringurinn
Where is Gullni hringurinn?
Gullni hringurinn is a touring loop in southwest Iceland. Selfoss sits on its southern side, with the route extending towards Ăžingvellir, Haukadalur and Gullfoss.
What does a visit involve?
It is a road journey through open volcanic country, with major stops linked by paved routes. The landscape changes between rift valley, geothermal ground and a waterfall gorge.
What makes it distinctive?
The route brings together three of Iceland’s best-known natural settings in one circuit. Þingvellir, Haukadalur and Gullfoss give it a clear geological sequence.
