Two days ago I did my Golden Cirlce tour (excluding Thingvellir which I will do separately), again most time as the only visitor. I did go to Faxi, Brúarhlöð, Gullfoss and Geysir (Strokkur) – and finished off by icecream at Efstidalur farm.
Faxi or Vatnsleysufoss has been described as a small version of Gullfoss but of course not as powerful. The waterfall is 80 m wide and 7 m high. It is a beautiful waterfall placed in a wonderful and peaceful landscape. It is also possible to walk quite near the waterfall on the lower level and feel the drizzle from the water. Although never lacking water the waterfall has also been named Vatnsleysufoss meaning the waterfall with no water or the waterfall with shortage of water. (pictures 1-2)
The rock Brúarhlöð consists of is Breccia, a type of rock formed by tectonic and volcanic forces, which gives the canyon its unique look. Only a powerful river could have shaped solid rock into an intricately entwined canyon and Hvitá, which translates as the white river, is well-known for its ferocity. (pictures 3-5)
Gullfoss (Golden falls) is a waterfall located in the canyon of the Hvitá river. This waterfall consists of two stages, one with 11 m, the other with 21 m height, and these two cascades build some kind of a rectangle. From the second stage the water falls into a gorge that is 2.5 km long and up to 70 m deep. It is said that its name originates from the fact that the waterfall shines „golden“ during sunset.
The average amount of water running down the waterfall is 141 cubic metres per second in the summer and 80 cubic metres per second in the winter. The highest flood measured was 2,000 cubic metres per second. One can go very close to the stages and standing there you really hear and feel the power of the falling water… (pictures 6-9=
Geysir (Strokkur) is a fountain-type geyser located in the geothermal area besides the river Hvitá. It typically erupts every 6–10 min and its usual height is 15–20 m. Strokkur is now more famous than the Great Geysir that is no longer erupting. (pictures 10-12)
Gosh! There is a lot if water on this island!
Unfortunately not only as waterfalls… 😉