3 Best Sights in Vatnajökull National Park–Jökulsárgljúfur, North Iceland

Europe’s most powerful waterfall dispatches an average flow of 193 meters (633 feet) cubed per second with a breathtaking force that makes the earth vibrate beneath your feet. The immense column of white-foaming water thunders over a 45-meter (147-foot) drop creating a magnificent and formidable vision of the sheer force of nature. Expect to see terrific rainbows when the sun is shining. From the parking lot off Route 862, there’s a 15-minute trail through otherworldly rocky plains. Dettifoss can also be viewed from the east side of the falls off Route 864, but this road can often be hazardous in winter so it's vital to check road conditions before setting out.

If you still have a thirst for photogenic waterfalls, head north from Dettifoss on Route 864 on the eastern side of the river (Jökulsá á Fjöllum) to Hafragilsfoss, the sister waterfall to Dettifoss, which plunges dramatically off an 18-meter (59-foot) drop.

Plenty of people stop to see the famed Dettifoss waterfall, but most sleep on its sister, Selfoss, which is located just slightly upstream and a short hike away from the Dettifoss parking area. A panoramic spot filled with small tumbling cascades of glacial water, it's surrounded by some spectacular basalt cliffs to awaken your inner geologist.