Carbon Neutral 100%
Destinations
Top destinations of the moment in Europe
  • Tour Ideas
Trip Types
  • Travel Style
  • Interests and Activities
  • Tour Ideas by Month
  • Continents and Regions
An update from Evaneos
Dettifoss

Dettifoss (Iceland)

Practical information on Dettifoss

  • Viewpoint
  • River
  • Waterfall
  • Essential
5 / 5 - One review
Minimum stay
A few hours

Expériences inoubliables à vivre Dettifoss

Reviews of Dettifoss

Emmanuelle Bluman Seasoned Traveller
163 written opinions

Europe's most powerful waterfall, and most recently, the star of the film Prometheus!

My suggestion:
Prepare yourselves for a good few hours of walking up to its cliffs to discover the surroundings.
My review

Dettifoss is the most powerful waterfall in Europe, and makes up one of the three components of the‘Diamond Circle, along with Husavik and Myvatn. On the opposite side of the country to the Golden Circle of the south, this popular route in the north is renowned for its incredible natural sites.

The waterfall takes its source from Jökulsa River, which, in turn, is fed into by Vatnajökull Glacier. I found it difficult to walk along the staggering cliff edges without being hit by a spot of vertigo, or feeling as if I was about to be swallowed up by the force of its tumbling waters below!

The walk from the car park to the waterfall itself is about 1 km, and upon arrival at Dettifoss, I recommend that you head south to Selfoss first – another (much smaller, but no less impressive) waterfall. From there, you can walk up the banks of the river along the cliff edges to reach the most spectacular section of Dettifoss’ falls.

Make sure you take a solid pair of walking boots with you, regardless of the season. During my last trip to the north of Iceland at the end of May, I was surprised to find a blanket of glistening white snow 20 cm thick surrounding Dettifoss! It’s a region of stark wilderness to say the least, and in winter, the route is often inaccessible depending on snowfall.

Dettifoss
The tumbling waters of Dettifoss