Dettifoss
About
The most powerful waterfall in Europe. This beast moves 500 cubic meters of water per second. Grey glacial water plunges 44 meters into a massive canyon. Featured in Prometheus because it looks like another planet.
The ground literally trembles. The roar is deafening. Grey mist hangs in the air as millions of liters crash down every second. You feel small here. That's the point.
Fed by Vatnajökull, Europe's largest glacier, through the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river. The canyon continues north to Ásbyrgi, a horseshoe-shaped canyon legend says was formed by Odin's eight-legged horse.
East side (Route 864) has easier access and better views. West side (Route 862) is more dramatic but the road is worse. Visit Selfoss upstream too — it's just as beautiful. Don't lean over railings for photos. Seriously.
Drive: Good
Visit now
30 min stop
Ring Road 1Checking…
F-roadsClosed (winter)
ClosuresNone nearby
Wind—
Visibility—
Entry: Free
Parking: free ISK
No booking
Entry feeFree
Parkingfree ISK
BookingNot needed
Getting thereCar recommended
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22:00 – 02:00
Face northLoading…
Activity peak23:42
MoonWaxing crescentLight pollutionRural dark sky
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Sunrise—
Golden hour AM—
Golden hour PM—
Sunset—
Blue hour—Cars & campers
KEF airport pickup 24/74.8
Toyota RAV4
Heated seats for winter waterfall runs, range for highland summer loops.
TransmissionAutomatic
FuelHybrid
Seats5
DriveAWD
VW Caravelle
Whole family or friend group in one car — gear in the back, room to stretch.
TransmissionAutomaticFuelDieselSeats9Drive2WD
Key Camper Wild Duo
Sleep right by the trailhead, wake up at the falls — F-road ready from mid-June.
TransmissionManualFuelPetrol
Sleeps2Drive4WDTours near Dettifoss
Small groups4.8
Akureyri Whale Watching
Humpbacks and dolphins in Eyjafjörður — the classic North-Iceland outing.
Duration3 hours
PickupAkureyri
HighlightsEyjafjörður
TypeBoat tour
Glacier & Golden Circle
Snowmobile across a glacier, then hit the Golden Circle classics.
Duration10 hoursPickupReykjavík
ActivitySnowmobile
VehicleSuper JeepPhotos
Videos
Reviews
Walking behind a 60-meter waterfall is something you don't forget. We went at sunset and the light through the curtain was absolutely magical. Bring proper rain gear — you WILL get soaked through. The path is well-maintained but rocky.
Best light at sunrise before the tour buses arrive. The path behind is slippery in winter but doable with spikes. Don't skip Gljúfrabúi next door — most tourists walk right past it, but it's a hidden waterfall inside a cave. Spectacular.
Stopped here on a Ring Road trip in early January. The path behind the waterfall was closed due to ice — check conditions before you go if walking behind is the main reason. Still stunning from the front though.
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