Here are a few smaller stops to make your time on the Golden Circle more in depth and unique! This also means that it’ll take much more time than the typical 9-5ish day. Doing all of the extra stops I suggest means extending to two days.
Brúarhlöð
Directly down the river (Ölfusá) from Gullfoss is the lesser-known canyon of milky-toned water called Brúarhlöð (head back from Gullfoss and turn left onto route 30). This will definitely be longer driving time than Google Maps suggests, as part of the road is gravel… keep an eye out for bumps, holes, and loose spots. Just past the one-lane bridge, the parking area for Brúarhlöð is on the right. Walk back in to a high spot to plot your course down to the river’s edge. In certain light conditions, the water has a minty-teal tint that’s incredibly unique. There are rafting excursions that go through here, but it’s just a magical place of carved rock and different textures and colors. Also a great place for a picnic!
Faxifoss
Another short drive away is the short but powerful and personal Faxifoss. There is a walkway, partially in decking, from the parking lot offering great wide angle views, and you can take a short hike right to the bottom to check out the salmon ladder (wear your waterproofs for the spray) and also get right next to the top above the ladder. Watch your step and use common sense!
Skálholt
And another short drive away is Skálholt, which essentially used to the the key headquarters of the Catholic church in the south, making it also a key location for cultural and political happenings at the time (1056 until 1785). The current modern cathedral on the site is beside excavated foundations of some previous buildings, as well as a small replica timber/sod building beside. The cathedral has fantastic windows and art! Please leave a small donation to support the upkeep of the site.
Kerið
On the road (route 35) toward Selfoss, Kerið will be on the left. This is a volcanic crater lake, with a few smaller dry craters around it. Current geological theory states that rather than being the remains of a huge explosion, the structure erupted less violently and simply emptied its magma contents, resulting in the collapse of the upper structure. It has been used as a natural amphitheater by musicians, including Björk herself. At the time I visited (2015) the land owners were charging a nominal $3-4 USD fee and they were struggling to keep up with the maintenance of the path around the main crater. Most of the footing was gravel, and required careful foot placement. You can go down to the water and all around the top. Spectacular color in the sun!
Speaking of Selfoss, this is a great town to stop for provisions (Bónus on the edge of town, and Krónan in the center for groceries, gas stations, several stores/shops including a fantastic yarn emporium, and a pharmacy). If you’re exploring via bus, the N1 station is often a transfer to points further east. There’s also Gallery Floi, an independent maker of beautiful ceramics and glass pieces, especially beads in the Viking style and all sorts of truly beautiful, unique accessories, just a very short drive east of Selfoss on route 1.
Next, we will keep traveling east to Hvolsvöllur and beyond, along the ring road (route 1) and south coast.