Dettifoss

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Dettifoss is a Waterfall at Vatnajökulsþjóðgarður, Húsavík, Iceland

Dettifoss is the most powerful waterfall in Europe, thundering through the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon in the northeast of Iceland. Fed by glacial meltwater from Vatnajökull, a vast volume of grey, sediment-heavy water plunges 44 metres over a wide lip, throwing up spray that can be seen from far off. Part of the Diamond Circle route, it can be reached from both sides of the canyon, and its raw scale is unforgettable. The falls stood in for an alien world in the opening of the film Prometheus.

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Where to find Dettifoss?

65°48'52"N, 16°23'3"W

Aurora hunting in Akureyri?

The aurora season here runs from September to April, with the best chances of seeing the Northern Lights in October, February and March. With minimal light pollution, Dettifoss could offer a dramatic backdrop for aurora viewing.

What do people think of Dettifoss?

  • 4.9

  • Simply amazing, feel the energy from the waterfall!

    Tansu9 August 2012

  • Be contemplative and respectful

    shad0wproxy13 September 2011

  • These are the waterfalls seen in the Alien movies' prequel "Prometheus"

    Richard Y16 September 2013

  • Route 862 in better shape than 864. You won’t be as close though

    Saxow B23 August 2019

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