Exploring the Golden Circle in Iceland
Note: This post has been updated on March 13, 2024.
There was no way I could leave Iceland without doing the Golden Circle Tour. Granted, most people go in the summer when they can enjoy a lot more of it, but there is something so magical about being in the Arctic Circle, in the winter, and seeing these sites in some of their fiercest conditions. I opted for the 8-hour tour (because I’m glutton for harsh weather punishment).
Icelandic Horses
My first stop was to see the Icelandic horses at Fákasel. It's a small farm about an hour away. The horses are very beautiful and very sweet, except when faced with a mischievous farm dog (watch the above video).
I learned that Icelandic horses live a long time and are very hardy as they there are few diseases they can be exposed to. In addition to the gaits of walk, trot, and canter/gallop, many Icelandic horses can also do the tölt and the flying pace. The breed is still used for traditional sheepherding work in its native country, as well as for leisure, showing, and racing.
Gullfoss
My second stop on the tour was to the infamous Gullfoss, which is often likened to Niagra Falls. Its name comes from "Golden Waterfall" as when the sun hits it just right, it shines like gold. Unfortunately, the weather conditions were so wintery that it looked more like torrents of dangerously icy water, which made it all that more amazing to see. Being that I was at a high altitude, it was incredibly windy, wet, and freezing. I am definitely doing this tour again in the summer to compare the scenery!
The third stop took me to Geysir, which certainly rivals "Old Faithful" in Yellowstone. The Geysir Hot Springs is a whole park filled with boiling hot pots (at 176-212 degrees Fahrenheit). It's truly amazing!
My final stop to the UNESCO Heritage Site Pingvellir National Park had me "geeking out" a bit as it is not only home to the first Icelandic settlement village in the 10th century, but also the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates that you can see AND touch, as well as a glacier, and the sighting of the coldest lake in the world.
PRO TIP: Rent a car and take this tour at your own pace. I feel that much of my experience was a bit more hurried because I was with a tour group..
