Dettifoss
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Dettifoss
About
Dettifoss is a 45-meter waterfall on the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river in North Iceland.
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.
Plan your visit
- Getting there
- West side via paved Road 862; east side via gravel Road 864
Best time- Road 862 not in winter service January–early April; Road 864 closed in winter, opens end of May
Most powerful waterfall in Europe- 100 m wide
- Water discharge ~200 m³ per second
- On the river Jökulsá á Fjöllum
Drive: Good·
Visit now·
30 min stop
Ring Road 1Checking…
F-roadsOpen
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Entry: Free
Parking: Free
No booking
Entry feeFree
ParkingFree
BookingNot needed
Getting thereCar recommended
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Golden hour AM—
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Blue hour—Cars & campers
KEF airport pickup 24/74.8
Dacia Duster 4x4
Cheapest real 4WD in the fleet — gravel, the Westfjords and easy summer F-roads without truck prices.
TransmissionManual
FuelPetrol/diesel
Seats5
Drive4WD
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 groups
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
Nearby
Waterfalls
A waterfall in North Iceland. One of many cascades that make Iceland a waterfall paradise.
A waterfall in North Iceland. One of many cascades that make Iceland a waterfall paradise.
A waterfall in North Iceland. One of many cascades that make Iceland a waterfall paradise.
A waterfall in North Iceland. One of many cascades that make Iceland a waterfall paradise.
Hot Springs
Natural pool. Water temp varies but usually comfortable. Best with few people.
Natural hot pot. Coordinates only - verify before visiting.
Lava cave with hot spring near Mývatn. Yes, it's the Game of Thrones cave. Currently too…
Lava cave hot spring near Mývatn. Grjótagjá's quieter neighbor.
Campsites
The western valley has one of two camp sites in the national park its only for tents. The…
Asbyrgi is one of two camp sites in the national park in Jokulsargljufrum. The second…
North Iceland camping option. Less crowded than the south, with dramatic landscapes and…
A family friendly campsite in Öxarfjörður, playground and swimmingpool within walking…
Supermarkets
Krambúð supermarket — supplies
Nettó supermarket — supplies
Supermarket — supplies
Kjörbúðin supermarket — supplies
Gas stations
N1 · 310.9 kr/L petrol
N1 · 310.9 kr/L petrol
Orkan · 308.6 kr/L petrol
N1 · 310.9 kr/L petrol
Tours
Humpbacks and dolphins in Eyjafjörður — the classic North-Iceland outing.
Snowmobile across a glacier, then hit the Golden Circle classics.
Frequently
asked
questions
Which side of Dettifoss is better?
Is Dettifoss worth visiting?
How long is the walk to Dettifoss?
Can you visit Selfoss too?
Is Dettifoss open in winter?
Data & sources
Everything on this page comes from the sources below. Live feeds refresh automatically.
UnsplashHero & gallery photography · Richard Dorran / Unsplash
Visit North Iceland (northiceland.is)Visitor access & practical facts · tourism board
WikipediaEncyclopedic description · CC BY-SA 4.0
VegagerðinLive road status & cameras · Icelandic Road Administration
Open-MeteoWeather forecast · CC BY 4.0
NOAA SWPCAurora (planetary Kp) forecast · public domain
OpenStreetMapInteractive-map data · ODbL
Esri, Maxar & Earthstar GeographicsSatellite imagery for the 3D terrain render · GIS User Community
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