The river begins as glacial runoff in the Gaularfjellet mountains and it runs through the municipalities of Sunnfjord and Sogndal. The glaciers that feed the river are Grovabreen, Jostefonn, and Troget, all three are located just west of the massive Jostedalsbreen glacier. The river starts up in the mountains and empties into a fjord at sea level, and so the water drops over in elevation throughout its course. This is one reason why the area is often referred to as Fosselandet (lit. the land of waterfalls). There are many waterfalls on the Gaular and its tributaries.