Dettifoss waterfall is a force to be reckoned with. It is the most powerful and impressive waterfall in Iceland, located in the spectacular canyon of Jökulársgljúfur, which is also a striking film location. The waterfall is 100 meters wide and has a 45-metre vertical drop down a narrow part of the canyon, giving off spray and vapour far into the air that can generate beautiful rainbows. Its raw and untamed beauty combined with the rocky and grey landscape is absolutely fantastic. There are two ways of viewing the waterfall, Dettifoss East; where you can hike all the way towards the enormous drop, or Dettifoss West, where you have various panoramic viewpoints of the falls as they cascade down the picturesque canyon. A little further up the canyon are other smaller, beautiful waterfalls called Selfossar, which are also gorgeous and should be scouted along with Dettifoss on the west side. If not for filming, then truly for your own personal pleasure.
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Accessibility
The Dettifoss West road is 2-kilometers-long off the main road, paved all the way. On the east side, the road is also 2 kilometers long off the main road, which is a rough, bumpy and slow-travelled gravel road. There is an 800-meters-long trail on the west side which lies all the way to the first viewpoint of the waterfall, a further 200 meters along the path you arrive at the main viewpoint with a stunning view of the waterfall. The trails are easy, and you could with a permission, use 4-wheelers to carry gear up to the viewpoint. There are also numerous walking paths towards the canyon and Selfossar. On the east side, the trail is considerably harder. You hike down steep rocky steps and a further 400 meters through rocky terrain to get close to the waterfall.
Services nearby
Nearest hospital is in Húsavík, 90 kilometres away. Around this area, there are many airbnbs and guesthouses. Within a 100-kilometre radius, there are convenience stores, a gas station, restaurants and hotels and other services.
Permits
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Basecamp and facilities
Dettifoss West – has a very large parking lot and basic facilities.
Dettifoss East – has a medium parking lot and small basic facilities. Phone coverage is excellent on both sides of the waterfall.
Risk factors
The trails on the west side are easier than the trails on the east side. There is a dangerous drop from the cliffs and the edges can be unstable. The area is wet from the spray from the waterfalls. The eastern trail is more difficult, with steep steps down to the plain level with the rim of the waterfall, as that area is lower than the west side, there is more spray and the area near the waterfall is very wet and slippery.
Visitors
The area is on the Diamond Circle and is very popular with tourists and locals. There is a national park ranger on site.
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