Gullfoss

We visited Gullfoss as part of the Golden Circle day tour in Iceland. Though now widely regarded as one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Southwest Iceland, Gullfoss was almost never meant to be - in 1907, there were plans to harness the power of the falls by converting it into a hydroelectric dam. Unwilling to witness this desecration to Nature, a local woman stepped forward in protest, and it was declared a nature reserve instead.

Gullfoss has become such an icon of Iceland that it's hard to imagine otherwise, but really, what a privilege for us modern-day tourists to be able to see it!

And not just see it - for long before it comes into view you can hear the river Hvita thundering through the canyon and crashing onto the rocks below. As you get nearer the cold spray hits you, making it hard for you to look up from the slippery trail, though of course you do anyway, because who can resist the scene opening up before your eyes as you round the bend?