Hike · North Iceland
Dettifoss trail
Dettifoss – gönguleið
Leads to: Dettifoss
Before you go
Stay on marked paths, leave no trace and close gates behind you. Driving off-road is illegal in Iceland.
Areas can be closed at short notice to protect them. Check the official page before travelling.
Warm up after: pools & lagoons with a visitor pass
Passes from ISK 7,900. Lagoons cost extra per visit.
Sign in to see the recommendations
The best sights in each region, and where to soak afterwards.
Quick facts
- Dettifoss trail is 534 km from Reykjavík by road, about 7 h 53 min by car.
- The Dettifoss trail route is 2.4 km there and back (1.2 km one way) and takes about 50 min to walk.
- The nearest town to Dettifoss trail is Mývatn.
- Dettifoss trail is a hike in North Iceland.
The facts
| Distance | 1.2 km one way |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 51 m |
| Walking time | 50 min there and back |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Nearest town | Mývatn |
| From Reykjavík | 534 km by road, about 7 h 53 min |
| Region | North Iceland |
| Coordinates | 65.8199° N, 16.4115° W |
Getting there
Directions go to the sight's mapped point. For a mountain, glacier or lake that can be well away from the road, so park only in marked areas and walk from there.
Questions people ask
What is Dettifoss trail?
Dettifoss trail is a hike in North Iceland.
Where is Dettifoss trail?
Dettifoss trail is at 65.8199° N, 16.4115° W, in North Iceland. The nearest town is Mývatn. The nearest other sight on our map is Dettifoss, a waterfall about 1.1 km away in a straight line.
How far is Dettifoss trail from Reykjavík?
Dettifoss trail is 534 km from Reykjavík by road, about 7 h 53 min by car.
How do I get to Dettifoss trail?
The Google Maps and Apple Maps directions on this page go to the mapped point of Dettifoss trail, not to a search for its name. The nearest town is Mývatn.
How long does the Dettifoss trail hike take?
The Dettifoss trail route is 2.4 km there and back (1.2 km one way) and takes about 50 min to walk. It is rated easy. The climb is 51 m. Walking times are estimates from the route's distance and climb, not a guarantee.
Where does the Dettifoss trail route lead?
The Dettifoss trail route leads to Dettifoss.
Does it cost anything to visit Dettifoss trail?
We have not verified a fee for Dettifoss trail. Some landowners charge for parking or entry, so check the signs on arrival. Iceland's right of public access comes with duties: stay on marked paths and leave no trace.
Where can you swim near Dettifoss trail?
The nearest place to get in warm water is Forest Lagoon, about 109 minutes' drive from Dettifoss trail. It is a premium venue, from ISK 4,500 per visit on a LifePass. Also within reach: Vök Baths (119 min), World Class Skólastígur Akureyri & Pool (119 min).
Soak here afterwards
On the way back
- Forest Lagoon109 min driveISK 4,500 per visit with LifePass
- Vök Baths119 min driveISK 4,800 per visit with LifePass
- World Class Skólastígur Akureyri & Pool119 min driveIncluded on any LifePass
Nearby sights
All sights →Straight-line distance, not driving distance.
DettifossWaterfall · 1.1 kmCC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Spike
HafragilsfossWaterfall · 1.4 kmCC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo: Kilmer
Selfoss trailHike · 1.5 kmCC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Andreas Tille- SelfossWaterfall · 2 kmCC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Andreas Tille
RéttarfossWaterfall · 6.6 kmCC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo: Hansueli Krapf
VigabjargsfossWaterfall · 7.5 kmCC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo: Hansueli Krapf
Sources
Place data from OpenStreetMap and Wikidata. Photographs from Wikimedia Commons, credited individually.
- OpenStreetMap (ODbL-1.0)
© OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database License.