At 328 feet (100 meters) wide, Dettifoss waterfall is a top sight on the Diamond Circle driving route. You can visit the falls on a day trip from Akureyri, along with Godafoss, Lake Mývatn, the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon, and the mud pits of Hverir and Ásbyrgi canyons. Many multi-day guided Ring Road tours also stop at Dettifoss. For a perspective few travelers get to enjoy, consider a scenic flight above the falls.
Entrance to Dettifoss is free.
Plan to spend two to three hours at the falls.
Wear sturdy waterproof shoes and a waterproof jacket.
Due to rocky and uneven ground, Dettifoss is inaccessible to wheelchairs and strollers.
Dettifoss is located in Vatnajökull National Park, around 56 miles (90 kilometers) from the town of Húsavík. Road 864, a single-track gravel road, runs to the eastern bank of the falls and is open from May to October—buses also run from Mývatn during this time. Alternatively, the paved road 862 goes to the western side and remains open during the winter, depending on the weather.
The easiest time to reach the falls is during the summer, between June and August. Go in the morning to beat the crowds.
About a half mile (1 kilometer) upstream from Dettifoss is Selfoss, another impressive Icelandic waterfall. This often overlooked beauty—much wider than it is tall—is best seen from its east side, where the biggest stretch of the falls is visible.