Visit the most powerful waterfall in Europe and learn of the rich local culture and traditions of the area as part of this half-day Superjeep adventure. Dettifoss is a thundering display of the force of nature.
Standing next to the falls, you’ll hear the deep roar of the water and see misty spray rising from its base. Frequently used as a filming location, and surrounded by a stark basalt landscape, the drama of the falls intensifies on sunny days when double rainbows form in the spray, lighting up the steep-sided canyon.
You’ll join a small group of other visitors for this half-day tour, which sets off from a variety of locations between Akureyri and Lake Mývatn. You’ll be driven east for approximately one hour in a 4x4 vehicle that’s been specially modified to deal with the tough terrain, eventually reaching the falls in Jökulsárgljúfur, one of Iceland’s most impressive canyons, through which the turbulent Jökulsá á Fjöllum river flows.
The first stop will be at Dettifoss, where, weather-permitting, you’ll visit the eastern bank of the canyon, a region accessed by a rough, unpaved road that only 4x4s can manage safely (if conditions are poor you’ll visit the west bank instead). Dettifoss, which is 45 m (148 ft) high and 100 m (328 ft) wide, is fed by milky-gray, silt-filled meltwater from the Vatnajökull ice cap. It plunges over the rim into Jökulsá Canyon in an almighty demonstration of nature’s power and force.
Near Dettifoss are a couple of other waterfalls that you can either walk or drive to, depending on the weather and road conditions. A few minutes’ walk upstream from Dettifoss is the Selfoss waterfall, a wide arc of ribbon-like falls cascading over sheer cliffs of columnar basalt. It’s undeniably beautiful, and after the power of Dettifoss, seems far more peaceful.
You can then continue on downstream to Hafragilsfoss, another set of falls on the edge of Jökulsá Canyon. Here, water plunges 30 m (98 ft) across a wide arc of cliffs, contrasting starkly with the surrounding lunar-like landscape.
Start planning your tailor-made trip by contacting one of our Iceland specialists
These activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences around where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can suggest tours and activities that will introduce you to the local ways of life.
Drangey Island boat tour
Sheer cliffs drop into the sea on tiny Drangey Island, an uninhabited outcrop that’s home to thousands of nesting seabirds. A dramatic ascent by rope and ladder takes you to the summit for panoramic views and a chance to learn about saga-era outlaws.
Family rafting
North Iceland’s West Glacial River runs through a steep, stony canyon in the heart of the wilderness and plays host to family-friendly rafting trips with slow-moving water for swimming, rapids for exhilaration and the chance to brew hot chocolate in a natural spring.
Geosea geothermal baths
Take part in an Icelandic tradition and relax in the Geosea Geothermal Baths just outside Húsavík and enjoy the sleek design, balmy waters and views as far as the Arctic Circle. If you’re lucky, you may even spot some whales.
Hauganes whale watching & sea angling
One of the world’s premier whale watching destinations, Hauganes is the jumping-off point for boat trips around Eyjafjörður, where you’re almost guaranteed to spot humpback whales and possibly minke whales, white-beaked and bottlenose dolphins, and harbor porpoises.
Varmahlíð horse riding
Ride out into the Icelandic countryside on a one-hour ride that offers the chance to experience the country’s distinct breed of horses known for their gentle nature, sure-footedness and unusual additional gaits not seen in other breeds.
You can enjoy this activity as part of the suggested tours below, or we can weave it into a trip shaped entirely around you.
