
How do you get to Dettifoss waterfall in Iceland?
Iceland, europe
N/A
44 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in the wild, untamed Northeast of Iceland, heading for Dettifoss, arguably Europe's second most thunderous waterfall! This beast of nature, fueled by the glacial river Jökulsá á Fjöllum, thunders over a 100-meter wide cliff, plummeting 44 meters down. You might recognize it from the movie 'Prometheus'—it's that epic.
Now, getting there is part of the adventure. You've got two choices. Route 862 is your smooth operator: a paved road, open most of the year (April to December), that’ll take you to the west side of Dettifoss—easy peasy for any car. But if you're feeling adventurous, Route 864 winds to the east side, and that’s where things get interesting!
This unpaved road, typically open from late May to early October, is a corrugated, dusty beast. Prepare for potholes galore! Passenger cars can sometimes handle it, but a 4x4 is your best bet. Just remember, Icelandic gravel roads are notoriously unpredictable, so keep your eyes peeled and adjust your speed accordingly. No matter which route you choose, the views are breathtaking, and the roaring power of Dettifoss is an experience you won't soon forget.
Where is it?
How do you get to Dettifoss waterfall in Iceland? is located in Iceland (europe). Coordinates: 64.9684, -17.6660
Road Details
- Country
- Iceland
- Continent
- europe
- Max Elevation
- 44 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 64.9684, -17.6660
Related Roads in europe
moderateRoad trip guide: Conquering Mur de Peguere in the Occitanie
🇫🇷 France
Mur de Péguère is a mountain pass sitting pretty at 1,375m (4,511ft) in France's Occitanie region, specifically in the Ariège department down in the southwestern Pyrenees. This beast is also known as Col de Péguère, and it's definitely earned its fearsome reputation among cyclists. The road here is D17—a fully paved route that's narrow in stretches and runs 27km (17 miles) from Serres-sur-Arget to Massat, heading north-south through the stunning Massif de l'Arize. The climb's gotten the attention of the Tour de France for good reason. Here's where it gets spicy: while the average gradient is a deceptive 7.9%, don't let that fool you. If you're tackling it from Massat (the shorter route), you're looking at 9.8km (6.1 mi) with 726m (2,382 ft) of elevation gain at an average 7.4% grade. Sounds manageable until you hit the section after Col des Caougnous—that's where the road ramps up to brutal 18%+ pitches that'll have your legs screaming. Coming from the Serres-sur-Arget side? You're in for the long haul: 18km (11 mi) climbing 872m (2,861 ft) at a gentler 4.8% average. The scenery alone makes the effort worth it, but those steeper kicks will test your mettle. You can also connect via the descent from Col de Portel if you're chaining climbs together.
extremeDriving the scenic Puente de Montañana-Alsamora Road
🇪🇸 Spain
# Carretera Puente de Montañana-Alsamora: Spain's Hidden Canyon Gem Tucked along the border between Aragón and Catalonia in northern Spain, this 11.2 km balcony road is an absolute stunner for anyone who loves dramatic scenery. We're talking one of Spain's most spectacular canyon drives, perched high above the stunning turquoise waters of the Noguera Ribagorçana river. The route connects the small villages of Puente de Montañana (in Huesca, Aragon) and Alsamora (in Lleida, Catalonia), winding through the Pre-Pyrenees Serra del Montsec mountain range. The asphalt is decent for most of the journey, though you'll encounter some narrow sections that keep you honest while driving. Fair warning: rockslides are a real risk here, so stay alert. What makes this road truly special—and honestly, pretty rare in Europe—is the jaw-dropping scenery combined with the sheer engineering feat of it all. You're literally driving along a cliff face carved out of the gorge itself. If you're heading to the legendary Congost de Mont-rebei gorge, this is your gateway. But heads up: that particular section is a white-knuckle bridle path carved into the cliff that demands serious respect. One wrong move and, well, it's a long way down. Definitely not the place for anyone uncomfortable with heights or prone to vertigo. This is wild, untamed driving at its finest—pure adrenaline mixed with some of Europe's most breathtaking natural beauty.
hardThe road to Col d'Errozate is not recommended to newbies
🇫🇷 France
# Collado de Errozate-Col d'Errozate Nestled high in the Pyrenees along the Spanish-French border, Collado de Errozate-Col d'Errozate sits at a cool 1,076 meters (3,530 feet) above sea level. This mountain pass connects Navarre in northern Spain with the Pyrénées-Atlantiques in southwestern France, making it a pretty unique spot for border-hopping adventures. The action happens on the French side, where the D301 road climbs about 3.4 kilometers (2.11 miles) up to the summit, which actually reaches 1,281 meters (4,202 feet). Interestingly, there's no road access from the Spanish side, so this is a one-way kind of situation. Now, here's where things get spicy: this isn't your average Sunday drive. The narrow, single-lane tarmac demands serious respect from behind the wheel. Expect broken asphalt, hairpin curves, and some seriously steep drop-offs that'll keep your adrenaline pumping. The gradient maxes out at 18.5% in places—basically, you'll be climbing almost vertically at times. This road definitely isn't for the faint of heart or anyone who isn't comfortable with some serious reversing if needed. Even experienced drivers should bring their A-game to this one.
hardIs the road to Alto de San Miguel de Aralar paved?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: you're in Navarre, Spain, itching for an adventure. Head toward the Aralar mountain chain (practically the foothills of the Pyrenees!), and get ready for Alto de San Miguel de Aralar. This climb kicks off near Uharte-Arakil, and it's a solid 11.5 km push to the 1,233m summit. The road? Fully paved, but hold up – it's mostly concrete, which can be a bit slippery. Get ready for a consistent workout! You're looking at an average gradient of 6.72% with sections hitting a max of 14.2% right at the top! We're talking 773 meters of climbing, so pace yourself. While there aren’t any crazy-steep sections, it's relentlessly tough, with many kilometers hovering above 9%. The payoff? Epic. At the top sits the historic San Miguel de Áralar sanctuary (aka San Miguel in Excelsis), with views that stretch across the Arakil corridor, San Donato, and the Urbasa and Andia ranges. Trust me, the scenery alone is worth the effort!