The forces of nature of the Golden Circle: the most untamed Iceland

Just as in football Messi and Cristiano are complementary, in Iceland hot and cold are complementary. It's not that they need each other, it's that they share space. Therefore, if you like contrasts, Nattule recommends that you visit this nordic country where you will have the opportunity to take baths at Mediterranean temperatures surrounded by snow-capped peaks.

Water and fire are concentrated at the gates of the Polar Circle to provide the country with volcanoes, glaciers, thermal pools and lava fields. The hand of man is not noticeable in its landscapes, which is not surprising if you take into account that more sheep than people live in its 103,000 square kilometers.

Another of its attractions, at least in summer, is that night does not exist. Nothing better than taking advantage of the 24 hours of light to take the Golden Circle, a car route that passes through the most emblematic points of Icelandic geography, starting and ending in its capital, Reykjavik.

There are many options to enjoy this route to which new stops are added every year. Nattule proposes you 8 Essential itineraries to discover the extremes of nature in Iceland:

1. Thingvellir, between two continents

Thingvellir is located approximately 45 kilometers north of Reykjavik. To get there, you have to take road number 1 until you pass Mosfellsbaer and then turn right and follow road 36, which will take you directly to this National Park.

This valley is one of the most important in Icelandic history. In it, one of the first parliamentary institutions in the world was established, the Alping, which met for the first time in the year 930.

In addition, Thingvellir is famous for being located right on the fault line that separates the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. In fact, it is claimed that this valley is one of the few places where plate tectonics is evident, as the fault opens a couple of centimeters each year.

There are many activities to do in Thingvellir. There are several hiking trails and trails for horseback riding. In addition, camping is allowed in two different areas of the Park: in Leirar, 5 minutes from the information center, and in the vicinity of Lake Thingvallavatn.

But if you want to live a truly unique experience you have to dive in the Silfra crevice, the only place in the world where you can dive right between two tectonic plates. There the water is so crystal clear that from the surface you can see what is submerged within a radius of 100 meters. One but: it is so cold that to submerge you will need to wear a special suit, known as a dry suit, so it is best to do the activity with a company that can provide you with all the material.

2. A thermal bath in Laugarvatn

Most excursions organized to do the Golden Circle do not include this stop. However, the environment of Lake Laugarvatn It is an idyllic place to discover another of Iceland's great attractions: the thermal pools.

If you drive from Thingvellir it will take just half an hour to reach this place. You have to go around Lake Thingvallavatn until you reach a fork. On the left, road 365 leaves and goes to Laugarvatn.

© Thóra M. Ólafsdóttir (Golden Circle Iceland)

The lake and the adjoining city belong to a hot zone. Which means that both on the shores and under the lake itself there are hot springs, so the water always remains warm and it is possible to bathe throughout the year.

If you still prefer something warmer, you can try the thermal pools located on a shore, which have a sauna and all the amenities to serve visitors. In addition, it is possible to practice water sports or go hiking in the surrounding area and explore the birch-covered slopes of Mount Laugarvatnsfjall.

© Natalia Grociak (Golden Circle Iceland)

Another interesting option, try the Rye bread that the locals make and that they cook by burying it next to the hot springs.

3. Bruarfoss, Iceland's hidden gem

The Bruarfoss waterfall is a true hidden treasure in Iceland. Despite being very close to the Golden Circle, it cannot be seen from the road nor does it have any type of signage, making it a great unknown even for Icelanders.

In case you decide to visit it, take note of the following instructions so as not to get lost.

Leaving Laugarvatn, take highway 37 which heads to Haukadalur. Once you pass the intersection with Highway 335 you will see a residential area with summer houses that is on the left. You have to take the third gravel road and drive between the houses until you reach a small parking area. From there you continue on foot, cross a small wooden bridge and in about 5 or 10 minutes you will be at the waterfall.

Bruarfoss is not Niagara, it is not a great jump, but it leaves the visitor speechless because it is made up of dozens of small waterfalls that fall into a deep lagoon to create a whirlwind of turquoise waters.

In ancient times, a large stone arch stood over the River Bruar near the waterfall. Today, this natural bridge no longer exists. But there are other wonders to explore around. If you like walking you can take a hiking route of about 10 kilometers that will take you along the shore to the spectacular Brúarárskörd canyon, place of birth of the river.

4. The valley of geysers: Haukadalur

A must-see in Iceland, Haukadalur is undoubtedly the country's biggest tourist attraction.

In this geothermal valley, active for more than a thousand years, there are a dozen geysers and hot springs. You can't miss the place, you just have to continue forward along the same road that took you to Laugarvatn.

In Haukadalur you will meet the king of geysers. Geysir He was so important in his time that he lent his name to all phenomena of this type that occurred in the world.

There was a time when its explosions occurred every day and reached 80 meters high. Unfortunately, you will no longer be able to enjoy its spectacle, as it has been considered inactive since 1916. The stones and other objects that people threw to try to provoke it caused the opposite effect and today only a large pool of boiling water remains in its place.

The geyser that will not disappoint you will be Strokkur, the second largest in Haukadalur. You will be able to see it explode every 5 or 10 minutes with jets that exceed 20 meters. The performance attracts dozens of tourists every day who come to photograph the enormous fountain preceded by a beautiful blue bubble.

5. Gullfoss, the golden waterfall

Gullfoss is just 10 minutes from Haukadalur and, together with the Strokkur geyser and the Thingvellir valley, forms the most famous part of the Golden Circle.

The waterfall is located in the upper part of the Hvita River, which has its source in the Langjökul glacier, the second largest in Iceland. It is also known as the golden waterfall, because on sunny days the sediments that the river drags from the glacier are reflected and dressed in golden tones.

Although there are many waterfalls in Iceland, this is one of the most spectacular. The water falls into two jumps, 11 and 21 meters respectively. The second jump is lost in a narrow gorge that, seen from above, appears to be much higher and gives the sensation that the water is rushing into the bowels of the Earth.

This is the view you will have if you decide to leave your car in the upper parking lot, next to the visitor center. The second option is to park in a parking lot at the bottom, which will give you a different perspective of the impressive Gullfoss.

The complete route to visit the waterfall can be done in about 15 minutes. But you can take as much time as you want to walk around and admire the landscape, made up of willows and blueberry bushes. On summer afternoons, it is another surprise to discover the rainbow that is drawn over the water.

6. The misunderstood Faxi

Faxafoss, or simply Faxi, is a shortened version of Gullfoss.

It is located southwest of Gullfoss, approximately 20 kilometers by road. To get there you have to take the road again towards Haukadalur and, about 5 kilometers past the geothermal valley, turn left. If you do not find it in your guide it is because it may appear under the name of Vatnsleysufoss, since it is also known that way.

Faxi is part of the Tungufljót River, a tributary of the Hvita that has its origin in Lake Sandvatn. It is not as impressive as its older sister (it is only 7 meters high) so many people skip it when visiting the country. However, their almost 80 meters wide They make it worthy of a place in the top ten waterfalls in Iceland.

© Ma Qianli (Golden Circle Iceland)

Nearby there is a camping area and a recreational area where you can stop along the way to complete your visit with a picnic while enjoying the views.

7. Kerid, the blue lake volcano

From Faxafoss, along the same road, you will reach the Kerid volcano. If you are traveling from Reykjavik you just have to take Highway 1 until the junction with Highway 35.

Right next to the road lies a peaceful grassy hill that turns white with snow in winter. It is a hill like any other, at least in principle. When you start walking, however, you will see it suddenly cut off to give way to the crater of the Kerid volcano. At the bottom of this crater there is a small lake of intense blue color surrounded by stone walls red from rust.

The picture is wonderful. This is demonstrated by the fact that it is one of the most photographed landscapes in Iceland, despite not being as famous as others in the Golden Circle.

The crater, formed about 3,000 years ago, is barely 270 meters in diameter in its widest part. One of the slopes, less steep than the others, can be descended and allows you to go around the lake for a pleasant walk.

If you have the opportunity, don't hesitate to attend one of the events that take place at the lake during the summer. Floating scenarios are improvised on the water and the slopes serve the function of a natural amphitheater to accommodate the public.

8. Hiking at Reykjadalur Natural Spa

The Reykjadalur valley is located 40 kilometers from Reykjavik, next to the town of Hveragerdi, on highway number 1.

In Hveragerdi, you have to take the third exit of the roundabout (the first if you are coming from Kerid) and walk along the main street towards the north. In Reykjadalur there is a parking lot where you can leave your car.

Until a few years ago, it was a place unknown to tourists, a natural gem that only Icelanders enjoyed. However, now it is very popular and you may come across large groups of tourists. Don't let that stop you from visiting it, because combining a hiking route with baths in hot springs in this valley is the perfect plan for a day trip.

© Pauliina Maula (Golden Circle Iceland)

The route is not long. There is only 3 kilometers of travel until reaching the area enabled for bathing. You will walk facing the mountains, parallel to the course of the river through lush pastures covered in steam and occasionally spotting small waterfalls. Pay attention to the signs that tell you where the water is too hot for bathing and wait until you reach the right place.

This experience is very different from traditional thermal pools. There are no changing rooms or other facilities in Reykjadalur. When you immerse yourself in hot river, surrounded by the spectacular lava mountains, you will understand that you are immersed in the authentic nature of Iceland.

© Nando Machado | Instagram: @nandomac_photo

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Just as a man adapts his state of mind to his circumstances, a country also changes according to its circumstances, as the case of nations where unreason has contaminated the geography makes clear. Hence the importance of choosing a place as genuine as Iceland as a tourist destination, where the traveler discovers that a thermal bath in the middle of nature is a unique experience.

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