What river flows over Iceland's Gullfoss waterfall?

The Hvítá River flows over Iceland's Gullfoss waterfall.

Gullfoss, whose name means “Golden Falls,” drops in two main stages through a rugged canyon in southwest Iceland. The first drop is about 11 metres and the second is about 21 metres, giving the waterfall a total descent of roughly 32 metres. Its visible appearance changes substantially with season, weather, and river volume.

The waterfall became connected with Iceland's early conservation history. In the early twentieth century, plans to use Gullfoss for hydropower generated opposition, including activism associated with Sigríður Tómasdóttir, whose family owned land near the falls. The waterfall was eventually protected rather than developed as a power site.

Gullfoss forms part of Iceland's famous Golden Circle sightseeing route. It is sometimes confused with Iceland's other major waterfalls, such as Dettifoss and Skógafoss. The river's name is written with the Icelandic letter “í”; English sources may omit the accent, but Hvítá is the standard name.