The Golden Circle: An Icelandic Adventure
Photos by Katrine Zuka and Tomas Malco Malik
There is perhaps no other landscape on the globe that so perfectly encapsulates the notion of the sublime than that of Iceland. This Nordic Island speckled with gushing geysers and plagued with volcanoes is as beautiful as it is humbling and, in some cases, treacherous. Not for the faint of heart, this road trip takes curious travelers quickly through the world’s most dramatic marriages between danger and splendor.
The Golden Circle circumscribes some of the top attractions Iceland has to offer. Though there are plenty of excursions to choose from on this route, three seem to (rightfully) top every list: Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss Waterfall, and the Geysir Geothermal Area. The first offers volcanic views, the second an uproarious waterfall, and the third, geysers and hot springs that pockmark the ground in an awe-inspiring manner. It seems almost unbelievable that all of these spectacles could exist in such a relatively small geographic area.
The scenic trip can be feasibly completed in a day, as it covers only about 140 miles. However, slowing down and spending a few hours or even days at each stop is advisable. Soak in the otherworldly sights slowly.
-by Abby L. Johnson
