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
moderateWhere is Puerto de Pandetrave?
🇪🇸 Spain
Alright, adventure seekers, let's talk Puerto de Pandetrave! This high mountain pass sits way up high in the province of somewhere in the Picos de Europa Natural Park, part of beautiful northern . You'll find yourself climbing to an elevation where the views get seriously epic. The road? It's paved, but let's just say it's seen better days – adds to the character, right? This baby stretches for a good 20.2 km (12.55 miles), running from north to south from somewhere. Now, hold on tight, because this climb is no joke! You'll be facing some seriously steep sections, with gradients kicking up to over somewhere. Starting from somewhere, you'll be climbing thousands of feet, resulting in an average grade of percentage. The Cordillera Cantábrica mountain range can bring some wild weather, so while it's usually open year-round, keep an eye out for winter closures. Expect incredible scenery, challenging climbs, and an unforgettable experience!
moderateDriving the legendary Grossglockner High Alpine Road in the Alps
🇦🇹 Austria
# The Großglockner-Hochalpenstraße: Alpine Magic at Its Finest Ready for one of Europe's most breathtaking drives? The Großglockner High Alpine Road is a 48-kilometer masterpiece that'll have you hitting the brakes every few minutes just to soak in the views. This stunning route connects Salzburg and Carinthia, taking you deep into the heart of Hohe Tauern National Park and right to the doorstep of Austria's most iconic peak. ## The Route Starting in Fusch-Ferleiten and ending in Heiligenblut, this fully paved road winds through 36 hairpin bends like a ribbon threading through the mountains. You'll summit at the Hochtor Pass (2,504m), where the air gets thin and the panoramas get absolutely wild. But here's the kicker—take the side road up to Edelweißspitze at 2,571m, and you've hit the highest passable point on the entire route. ## What to Expect Count on about 90 minutes of driving if you actually manage not to stop (spoiler alert: you will). The landscape shifts from lush alpine pastures to dramatic rocky terrain, with views of countless mountain summits that'll leave you speechless. The road's open from early May through late October, though weather can sometimes force closures during those shoulder months, so check ahead before you go. ## Worth the Trip Nearly 900,000 visitors tackle this road annually—and for good reason. Along the way, you'll find restaurants, snack bars, and exhibitions to break up the drive. The road even has its own legendary status, having featured in the famous Giro d'Italia bike race. Fun fact: This route follows paths that people have walked for almost 2,000 years. The road itself took five years and 4,000 workers to build (1930-1935), and it opened to the public on August 3rd, 1935. Now that's heritage you can drive.
extremeTake the Scenic Route and Discover Col de la Charmette
🇫🇷 France
# Col de la Charmette: A Alpine Adventure in the Chartreuse Nestled in the heart of the Chartreuse Alps between Chambéry and Grenoble in France's Isère department, Col de la Charmette sits at a breathtaking 1,284 meters (4,212 feet). This stunning mountain pass offers two very different routes to the summit—and trust us, only one is for the faint of heart. ## The "Easier" Option: D105 If you're looking for a challenge but want to keep your car intact, take the D105 from Saint-Égrève. This fully paved 11.5 km (7.14 mile) route climbs with relentless intensity, boasting a brutal 17.1% gradient at its steepest sections. You'll gain a whopping 1,026 meters in elevation, averaging 8.92% throughout. It's steep, it's narrow, and it demands respect—but your vehicle will thank you. ## The Extreme Route: Route Forestière de la Charmette Ready to really test yourself? The old Route Forestière de la Charmette is pure adrenaline. This 10 km (6.21 mile) route—closed to cars for good reason—mixes paved and unpaved sections and hasn't seen maintenance since the 1990s. Look for an easy-to-miss unsigned turnoff near the Gorges du Guiers Mort (heading right toward the Chartreuse de Curière monastery). After the monastery, the real adventure begins: a crumbling cliff road with four unlit tunnels, treacherous hairpin turns, dramatic drop-offs, gaping potholes, and regular rockslides. It's rugged, it's raw, and it's absolutely unforgettable.
hardLa Trapa, one of the gnarliest roads in Mallorca
🇪🇸 Spain
# La Trapa: Mallorca's White-Knuckle Mountain Monastery Run Tucked away on Mallorca's dramatic southwestern coast, La Trapa is an abandoned monastery that'll test your driving skills—and your nerve. If heights make you queasy, you might want to keep your gaze firmly on that steering wheel. Nestled in Sant Josep valley on the slopes of the Tramuntana mountains, this remote monastery (abandoned way back in 1820) sits at the end of a seriously twisty gravel road. Fair warning: the route is genuinely challenging and definitely not for inexperienced drivers. Those vertiginous drop-offs along the way? Yeah, they're real. Also heads up—the road is gated off to private vehicles, though locals and authorized access still use it. Starting from the paved MA-1030, you're looking at a 4.8 km journey across Mallorca's rugged west coast. And honestly? It's absolutely stunning. The coastline unfolds beneath you, with Sa Dragonera island providing a postcard-perfect backdrop. The only catch? Some sections are genuinely tight—barely wide enough for two medium-sized cars to pass. You'll definitely want to feel confident with your reversing. The real challenge kicks in as the road climbs steeply toward Coll de ses Animes mountain pass (359m elevation). The first 4 km averages a brutal 10% gradient with hairpin turns that'll keep your hands locked on the wheel. This isn't a casual scenic drive—it's an adrenaline-fueled adventure for serious drivers only.