Due to the delicate state of the vegetation and extremely poor condition of the walking paths the trails along Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, one of the most popular tourist destinations in South East Iceland, will remain closed for the remainder of spring. The Icelandic Environmental Agency has announced that the paths will not be opened to the public before the end of May.
Earlier this month the agency announced that the walking paths along Fjaðrárglúfur canyon would be closed to ensure the safety of visitors and to protect the delicate vegetation. Rain and melting snow has left the ground very wet. As the walking paths have been turned into mud visitors have taken to walking on the vegetation along the paths. The delicate vegetation, which is still in winter hibernation, cannot withstand the traffic, turning large areas into mud.
Initially the Environment Agency was going to re-open the paths around the end of March, early April, but after an assessment of the damage and the condition of the walking paths the agency has now decided to maintain the closure until early summer. A longer closure should give the vegetation time to recover, while the walking paths are improved and strengthened to handle the summer traffic.
The photographs above show the condition at Fjaðrárgljúfur. They were shared by a local guide, Bryndís Fanney Harðardóttir in a Facebook group dedicated to conversations about the Icelandic tourism industry and issues facing tour guides. The paths are obviously in absolutely no condition to handle visitors, and much of the vegetation around the paths has been destroyed. Please respect the closing and don't cause more damage!
Due to the delicate state of the vegetation and extremely poor condition of the walking paths the trails along Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, one of the most popular tourist destinations in South East Iceland, will remain closed for the remainder of spring. The Icelandic Environmental Agency has announced that the paths will not be opened to the public before the end of May.
Earlier this month the agency announced that the walking paths along Fjaðrárglúfur canyon would be closed to ensure the safety of visitors and to protect the delicate vegetation. Rain and melting snow has left the ground very wet. As the walking paths have been turned into mud visitors have taken to walking on the vegetation along the paths. The delicate vegetation, which is still in winter hibernation, cannot withstand the traffic, turning large areas into mud.
Initially the Environment Agency was going to re-open the paths around the end of March, early April, but after an assessment of the damage and the condition of the walking paths the agency has now decided to maintain the closure until early summer. A longer closure should give the vegetation time to recover, while the walking paths are improved and strengthened to handle the summer traffic.
The photographs above show the condition at Fjaðrárgljúfur. They were shared by a local guide, Bryndís Fanney Harðardóttir in a Facebook group dedicated to conversations about the Icelandic tourism industry and issues facing tour guides. The paths are obviously in absolutely no condition to handle visitors, and much of the vegetation around the paths has been destroyed. Please respect the closing and don't cause more damage!
