Dettifoss

What you are seeing

Dettifoss is a single, broad drop in the Jökulsá á Fjöllum, the glacial river that cuts through Jökulsárgljúfur. The fall is about 44–45 metres high and 100 metres wide. Its grey-brown colour comes from suspended sediment; the surrounding black basalt and narrow canyon make the scale legible.

The waterfall is not static. Erosion gradually drives its rim southwards, while ancient outburst floods and the river itself shaped the wider canyon. A short stretch immediately north of the falls narrows to about 100 metres.

Choose your approach

Dettifoss has access from both sides of the river, with marked walking routes on each.

• West bank: paved Road 862 reaches the parking area. The D1 walk to the viewpoint is about 1 km each way; allow 30–60 minutes for the 1.5 km return.
• East bank: gravel Road 864 is slower and closes when autumn snow arrives. Its reopening in spring depends on the ground drying out.

There is no bridge at the waterfall, so treat the two banks as separate approaches rather than two stops linked on foot. Parking and toilets are available; overnight stays are not permitted.

Walk to Selfoss

For more than a single viewpoint, take the marked D2 circuit. This easy 2.5 km route takes about an hour and joins Dettifoss with Selfoss upstream. Selfoss is a 10-metre fall: lower, wider and more broken across the river than Dettifoss.

Hafragilsfoss lies downstream, but the 9 km Hafragil lowland route is difficult, with steep terrain and a risk of falling rocks. It is not an extension of the easy Dettifoss walk.

Footing, spray and seasons

The final approach is exposed to spray and the rocks can be wet or icy. Wear footwear with grip and keep to the marked route and safe edges; the canyon is not a place to step off the trail for a closer photograph.

Road conditions determine the visit outside the main summer period. Road 862 has limited winter service. Road 864 is a gravel road with a shorter season, closing in autumn and reopening only when conditions allow. Check the current status of the specific access road before leaving the main road.