How to Visit Dettifoss and Selfoss Waterfalls in Iceland

Q: How long do you need at Dettifoss?

The time needed at Dettifoss depends on which side you plan to visit. A visit to the west side takes just under two hours, including driving time to and from the Ring Road. A visit to the east side takes about two and a half hours, including driving time to and from the Ring Road. If you plan to visit both sides, your visit will last about 5 hours, including driving times to both sides of the waterfalls.

Q: Can you visit Dettifoss in the winter?

From early October through late May, the unpaved road to the east side of Dettifoss and Selfoss is closed due to snowfall. From January through March, the paved road to the west side of Dettifoss is also closed due to snowfall. So, during January, February, and March, you cannot visit either side. In April, May, October, November, and December, it’s only possible to visit the west side of Dettifoss.

Q: Is Dettifoss and Selfoss worth it?

Yes, if you want to see one of the most powerful waterfalls in Europe, Dettifoss is worth it. You can also add on Selfoss with just a little bit of walking, which is a real beauty from both sides of the river. The west side is easier to visit with paved roads and walking trails, but for those seeking more adventure, the east side offers a great experience, better views of Dettifoss, and less water spray for photography.

Q: Which side of Dettifoss is better?

From the east side, the views of Dettifoss are better, and you get less water spray, making it ideal for photography. Additionally, the hike to Selfoss on the east side is more enjoyable, and you have the opportunity to add on Hafragilsfoss, making it a better choice for those seeking a more adventurous experience.

Dettifoss is one of Europe’s most powerful waterfalls. Selfoss is a smaller but more elegant waterfall located just upriver.

There are viewpoints of Dettifoss and Selfoss from the east and west sides of the river. Each side offers a slightly different experience.

For the best experience, you can view Dettifoss and Selfoss from the east and west riverbanks. However, this can take a lot of time. To see both waterfalls from each side of the river, you will have to do a lot of driving, and a little bit walking, to get to each viewpoint.

How much time are we talking about? It can take up to five hours to visit Dettifoss and Selfoss from both the east and the west sides of the river.

It’s worth it, but what if you don’t have that kind of time? If you only have enough time to visit one side, which is better, the east or the west?

In this article, get the details on how visit Dettifoss and Selfoss from the east and west sides, with photos, photography tips, driving directions, and how much time you can expect to spend here. Also, learn how to add on Hafragilfoss, a quick detour that’s worth it for one of the best views of the day.

Table of Contents

Facts About Dettifoss and Selfoss

Dettifoss, Selfoss, and Hafragilsfoss are located in Vatnajökull National Park in northeast Iceland. Mývatn is a great place to stay in order to visit these waterfalls.

These waterfalls are located on the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river, a river that is formed from the melting glacier Vatnajökull. This powerful river carved out the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon and flows through the Ásbyrgi Canyon before ending at Öxarfjörður, a bay in the Arctic Sea.

Dettifoss is considered to be one of Europe’s most powerful waterfalls. Many sources list Dettifoss as the most powerful waterfall in Europe, including the signs at Dettifoss, but during the summer months, the Rhine Falls in Switzerland can have a higher flow rate.

Dettifoss is impressive. When you get up close to it, the ground literally shakes under your feet. It’s loud, it’s thunderous, it’s awe-inspiring.

Dettifoss East or West Side

Dettifoss from the east side.

A short distance upstream from Dettifoss is Selfoss. This waterfall may not have the impressive flow of water like Dettifoss, but it what it lacks in power it makes up for in appearance. This wider, more docile waterfall is beautiful, with its numerous smaller waterfalls.

Hafragilsfoss is a much smaller waterfall than Dettifoss and Selfoss, but a visit to the viewpoint on the east side is worth it. From here, you get an awesome view of the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon.

Summer is the best time to visit Dettifoss and Selfoss. During the winter months, the roads to both sides of the river can be closed and may not reopen until April or May. For alerts and to check conditions, click here.

Dettifoss and Selfoss from the West Side

Dettifoss

The west side of Dettifoss and Selfoss are well equipped to handle large numbers of visitors. From Route 1 (the Ring Road), it is a paved road to a very large parking lot.

Note: This road can be closed during the winter months (in particular, January through March) due to snowfall.

Paved Road to Dettifoss

From the parking lot it is an 800 meter walk, mostly downhill, to the upper viewpoint of Dettifoss.

Dettifoss West Side

UPPER VIEWPOINT: From parking lot, you can take the upper trail along the riverbank to an elevated overlook of Dettifoss. When I did this, I got very wet. The west side of the river gets more water spray which can make photography challenging and will get you and your camera wet.

Upper Viewpoint

This is the view from the overlook.

I don’t think that the overlook is worth the short walk, unless it’s a calm day and there is not much water spray.

LOWER VIEWPOINT: The path to the lower viewpoint is worth it. You get relatively close to Dettifoss and this waterfall literally thunders with its power. Just note that it is a steep walk downhill (and later a steep walk uphill).

Dettifoss West Side Photo

Selfoss

To get to Selfoss, take the trail from the lower viewpoint back towards the parking lot. Along the way, look for signs to Selfoss. There will be a separate trail that follows the river. It is about a 1 km walk on a rocky trail to get to Selfoss.

How to Visit Dettifoss

This is the view of Dettifoss as you walk the trail to Selfoss.

Dettifoss West Side Trail

Trail to Selfoss

From the west side, you can only see a small portion of Selfoss. However, this small part is very pretty and you can get rather close to the waterfall.

Selfoss Waterfall

Tim Kara at Selfoss

To get back to the parking lot, follow the trail and the signs directing you to the parking lot.

This entire loop, from the parking lot to Dettifoss to Selfoss to the parking lot, is a 2.5 km walk and takes about one hour.

Hafragilsfoss

It is possible to see Hafragilsfoss from the west side. However, the main viewpoint is on the east side and that was the one that we visited.

If you want to see Hafragilsfoss from the west side, follow the signs to Hafragilsfoss once you exit the Dettifoss parking lot.

Dettifoss and Selfoss from the East Side

Seeing Dettifoss and Selfoss from the east side is a much different experience. To get to the viewpoints, you will drive on a narrow, dirt road. This road is well maintained and is fine for standard cars, just be prepared for some rough spots and potholes.

IMPORTANT! This road is only open from the end of May to the beginning of October, due to snowfall.

Dettifoss Dirt Road

Road conditions can change from month to month and year to year, depending on weather and maintenance. During our visit in 2019, this road was in the midst of a renovation project.

Like the west side, there is one parking lot for Dettifoss and Selfoss. This is a much smaller parking lot and can only accommodate about 25 to 35 vehicles. Get here early if you want a parking space. By the time we left at 11 am, the parking lot was filled and long line of cars were working their way up the dirt road towards the parking area.

Dettifoss East Side Parking Lot

Jokulsargljufur

View of the canyon as you walk from the parking lot to Dettifoss.