One thing I have learned recently, fall in Iceland is quite short. Taking the hint from the snowy mountain tops and cold temperatures I have a feeling winter is in our near future. So while I may not be able to cross off all the things on my fall bucket list this year there was one item that I was determined to cross off, visit Þingvellir in its fall time glory.
Þingvellir was the founding site of the Icelandic Parliament in 930 and it later became the first National Park in Iceland. Today it is an attraction on the popular Golden Circle. I have visited Þingvellir in the summer and the winter but what all Icelanders rave about is Þingvellir in the fall. With the promise of stunning fall colors H and I headed off last Saturday morning to see if Þingvellir in the fall really was the best display of fall colors in Iceland.
As we drove the 45 minutes from Reykjavik to Þingvellir with snow drizzling down on us the entire way I was worried that all those fall colors I had been dreaming about would already be covered under a white blanket. To my delight the light dusting of snow didn’t hide the fall colors, instead it created a beautiful contrast of winter and fall making the scenery better than I imagined. 
After a mini-photo shoot of H capturing my joy at still seeing fall colors in the park I was off and running to explore more of the area.
When you first arrive to Þingvellir you walk down a long pathway that takes you down into the Almannagjá gorge. This is the area where the National Parliament held their meetings. I think they chose this area for the scenery and I don’t blame them!
On one side of the path you have the tall rock wall of the Almannagjá canyon and to your other side a large meadow area with the largest natural lake in Iceland, Þingvallavatn. Add in the rich fall colors and you have the perfect combination for one beautiful meeting area.
As you near the end of the path along the canyon take a left and follow the wooden pathway for a special surprise.
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The Öxaráfoss waterfall is a must see when visiting Þingvellir. This was the first waterfall I saw in Iceland and it still is one of my favorite places to visit.
Before we headed back to the car (by this point I was more than ready to be inside a warm car, my fingers were frozen!) we took one last pathway that loops around the meadow and lake area. Even though I was at the time wanting to skip this area I am so glad we didn’t, the fall colors here were gorgeous!
This is the smallest church I have ever seen, but oh so charming!
As we said goodbye to Þingvellir and neared the end of our loop I finally found my fall wonderland, no snow invited!
Þingvellir did not disappoint, the fall colors more than lived up to my expectations!
Question of the Day?
What is your favorite place to be during the Fall?
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