Dettifoss Northern Access (F862)

The F862 cuts through some of Iceland’s most desolate terrain to reach Dettifoss from the east bank, where you’ll stand close enough to feel the spray from Europe’s most powerful waterfall thundering 45 meters into Jökulsárgljúfur canyon. This highland route crosses the Jökulsá á Fjöllum river system through barren volcanic fields that NASA used for Apollo mission training. The track passes Selfoss waterfall first, then continues north through boulder fields and river crossings to the main Dettifoss viewing area.

This is a genuine highland F-road requiring high clearance and preferably 4WD for the river fords and loose volcanic rock sections. The route is only accessible June through September when highland roads open, and fuel stops are nonexistent once you leave Egilsstaðir. Weather changes fast here – what starts as clear skies can turn into driving rain and zero visibility within minutes. You’ll earn one of Iceland’s most spectacular waterfalls and complete solitude in a landscape that looks more like another planet than Earth.