Dettifoss Waterfall in the northeast of Iceland is the most powerful waterfall in Europe. Not the highest or the widest, but the most powerful, because the average water consumption of Dettifoss waterfall is 193 m3 per second! By the way, Dettifoss means a bubbling waterfall in Icelandic.

Dettifoss Waterfall is located in the Jekulsaurgljuvur National Park, through which the Jekulsau au Fjedlum River flows. It is on this river that the Dettifoss waterfall is located. It is not just a single  waterfall, literally a kilometer upstream from it is the waterfall of Selfoss. And two kilometers downstream is the Hafragilsfoss waterfall.

With a width of about 100 meters, this waterfall falls from a height of 44 meters. During floods, the amount of water in the waterfall can increase 3-4 times and at peak times is up to 600 m3/second.

However, Dettifoss Waterfall is known not only for its power, but also for its participation in cinematography. After all, it was this waterfall that "played" a role in Ridley Scott's film Prometheus. According to Scott, this is where life on Earth originated. By the way, this is not the only interesting corner of Iceland that participated in the filming of films, for example, even dragons flew in the Fjadrarglyufur canyon...

How to get to Dettifoss Waterfall?

There are at least two roads to Dettifoss Waterfall. However, one of them has recently been renovated and is an excellent freshly paved road, but the second is not the highest quality, and is sometimes closed.

A new road with the number 862 and an old dirt road 864. If you go to Dettifoss waterfall from the side of Lake Myvatn, then you will need to turn left at 862 and drive along an excellent road for about 20 km more. The road continues further, but it is already unpaved. And to the right, an asphalt branch goes directly to the parking lot near the waterfall.

The parking lot is quite large, but even so, on a sunny summer day it will be difficult to find an empty place. Just like most other attractions in Iceland, there is a toilet available.

From the parking lot, a well-marked path leads to the waterfall. It is necessary to walk for about 500 meters before the first fork. Further, many trails lead in different directions: to the upper platform with a view of Dettifoss, to the lower platform, where you will find yourself in a cloud of spray, to the waterfall of Selfoss.

In general, you can safely spend 1-1.5 hours at Dettifoss Waterfall, admiring the natural power and walking along the walls of the canyon through which the river flows.

If you still want adventures or just want to look at the waterfall from the other side, then you need to skip the first turn to the waterfall and turn onto the second road 864. Almost immediately after the turn, the road becomes unpaved. There is a pretty good dirt road for 10 kilometers, but then you may meet a closed gate, which will have an inscription in the style of "Everyone entering here agrees to pay the full cost of his evacuation, no insurance is valid." And that's where you decide...

Or maybe the gate will not be closed and you will get to the waterfall perfectly. The main advantage of the eastern side of the waterfall is the almost complete absence of mist from the waterfall. Because winds in this place blow mainly from east to west. Therefore, let the people on the other side get wet, while you enjoy the beautiful view.

Do you want to see Dettifoss with your own eyes? Are you going to Iceland? Read how to organize an independent trip ->

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