Dettifoss è la più grande cascata d’ Europa, situata nella zona nord-orientale dell’Islanda.
Sebbene non superi i 44mt di altezza e 100mt di ampiezza rovescia a valle 193mq al sec.
Ha quindi una portata maggiore di qualsiasi altra cascata d’ Europa.
Non distante si può ammirare una cascata più piccola che versa nello stesso fiume, Selfoss.
Questa sera abbiamo piantato i nostri picchetti a Husavik, centro importante per il whale watching (avvistamento balene)
Falling 45 m with a width of 100 m, Dettifoss is reputed to be the most powerful waterfall in Europe. Visitors generally approach Dettifoss on the east side of the River Jökulsá where the road through Hólssandur is better. However, there are plans to improve the road on the west side. Please take care whichever route you chose.
On the eastern bank, the footpath down to the falls is extremely rough and a number of accidents have occurred when visitors have strayed from the track. The grassy slopes on the western bank become extremely slippery when they are wet.
Selfoss is a smaller waterfall a little way upstream with a drop of 10 m. There are easy paths from Dettifoss, which allow a pleasant 1 km walk.
Below Dettifoss, the Hafragilsfoss waterfall cascades 27 m into a deep canyon. It is best to drive to Hafragilsfoss, which is located in an environment that is geologically and historically as fascinating as Dettifoss.
Some years ago, plans were proposed to harness the hydroelectric potential of the canyon, but they were scrapped when the lava strata in the area were found to be too porous for a reservoir. On the east bank of the canyon, near Hafragilsfoss, the river has cut through a crater row named Randarhólar to expose a volcano’s lava pipe in the cliff wall. – national park
