Dettifoss, Iceland

Quick Facts

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Accessibility: 10/10 (easy)
Height: 144′ / 44 m
Length of Hike: 1.1 miles / 1.8 km round-trip

The Record

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Dettifoss has long held a reputation as one of the most powerful waterfalls in Europe. While it isn’t the tallest waterfall in Iceland, the sheer volume of water (measured in hundreds of cubic meters per second) is staggering. My first visit back in 2012 was filled with a bit of concern. As of a few years before 2012, most books still listed either approach to the falls as notorious unpaved gravel tracks. I was relieved to find that the road on the west side of the river (Route 862) had been recently paved, making the 20-mile detour from the Ring Road much smoother.

Returning in 2024, I noticed how much the experience has evolved. Dettifoss remains a significant journey…at least a seven-hour drive from Reykjavík. But its popularity has surged. It has become a major destination for travelers and cruise ship excursions docking in Akureyri. The drive itself remains otherworldly. A paved road weaves through vast, desolate lava fields where very little grows, feeling as though you’ve left Earth behind. By 2024, the infrastructure had improved significantly with many more designated viewpoints, though even with these additions, the waterfall remains a challenge to capture. Its immense width and the protective cliffs mean you can rarely see the entire falls at once, a task made even harder during my recent visit by a rainy day that shrouded the canyon in mist.

Despite the increase in crowds, the power of Dettifoss is undeniable. One of the best parts of the visit is the two-for-one deal; a short walk upstream leads you to Selfoss, a smaller but equally beautiful horseshoe-shaped waterfall. Seeing both allows you to appreciate the different personalities of the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river.

Directions

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1. You want to follow the Ring Road (Road 1) to get to Dettifoss, and the closest “large” city is probably Akureyri. Even then, it’s still a bit of a drive.
2. About 75 miles from Akureyri, you’ll reach a few different roads. If you turn left on road 862, that road is paved and will lead you to Dettifoss. You can also turn left on road 864, which is unpaved, and four wheel drive is recommended.
3. After about 20 miles on road 862 or 864, you’ll reach parking areas for Dettifoss, which will then require a short hike to view the falls.

Where in the World is Dettifoss?

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