Dettifoss to Hafragilsfoss

The Hafragilsfoss hike follows the rim of the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon from Dettifoss, often described as the most powerful waterfall in Europe, to the far quieter Hafragilsfoss about 2 km downstream. Both falls are on the glacial river Jökulsá á Fjöllum in north Iceland, inside Vatnajökull National Park. Hafragilsfoss is smaller than Dettifoss, but it drops into one of the deepest and most dramatic sections of the canyon, framed by dark cliffs.

The loop is about 12 km with around 350 m of ascent and takes three and a half to four hours. Starting from Dettifoss, the trail heads north along the canyon, with frequent views down into the gorge and across the barren, boulder-strewn plateau, then makes a steep, rope-assisted descent to the canyon floor and climbs back out through the Hafragil ravine. It is a challenging route, and the canyon path is also the first section of the longer trail through Jökulsárgljúfur towards Hólmatungur, Vesturdalur and Ásbyrgi.

Dettifoss is roughly 44 m high and about 100 m wide, and on a still day its plume of spray is visible from far across the plateau. A short walk upstream leads to Selfoss, a broad, horseshoe-shaped fall that is also worth seeing. Most visitors see only Dettifoss and turn back; continuing to Hafragilsfoss gives you the canyon with a fraction of the people.

Highlights

• Dettifoss, often called Europe's most powerful waterfall
• Hafragilsfoss in a deep, dark canyon setting
• The rim of Jökulsárgljúfur in Vatnajökull National Park
• Optional detour upstream to the wide Selfoss
• Far fewer people beyond the Dettifoss viewpoints

The route

Getting to the trailhead

Dettifoss can be reached from either side of the river. On the west side, paved Route 862 runs north from the Ring Road to a large car park with toilets, and this is the usual start for this hike. On the east side, gravel Route 864 leads to separate viewpoints for both Dettifoss and Hafragilsfoss; it is typically closed in winter. There is no scheduled public transport, but many tours from Mývatn and Akureyri visit Dettifoss.

Where to stay

The national park has a basic campsite at Dettifoss, and there are larger campsites at Vesturdalur in summer and in Ásbyrgi. Accommodation is also available around Mývatn, Húsavík and Kópasker. Wild camping is not permitted in the national park.

Best time to hike

Late spring to autumn is best, typically from May or June until October, when the roads and trails are clear of snow. The river's flow peaks in summer with glacial melt. In winter, Route 862 may not always be cleared, Route 864 is usually closed, and the paths are icy.

Safety

Stay behind barriers at Dettifoss; the rocks near the edge are wet and slippery, and the river below is unsurvivable. The canyon edges along the trail are unfenced in places, so keep well back, particularly in wind. The descent to the canyon floor is steep, with a fixed rope and a risk of rockfall; skip it in wet or icy conditions. Bring water, as there is none along the route. Check vedur.is and road conditions on umferdin.is, and call 112 in an emergency.