Brennisteinsalda geothermal site in the Central Highlands has been fenced off in an attempt to protect the natural formations, rocks and vegetation from damage and destruction. The site, which is located in the Fjallabak nature reserve, has come under significant stress from growing numbers of visitors.
Visitors at geothermal sites frequently fail to realize the damage caused by walking on the delicate rock formations and the soft ground around geothermal vents. As a result parts of some geothermal sites which draw large numbers of visitors have been all but destroyed. It takes natural processes centuries to repair the damage from one inconsiderate or selfish visitor who decides to deviate from the marked path to get a better view of the vents or to capture that perfect photo.
According to the Icelandic Environmental Agency Brennisteinsalda, which is close to Landmannalaugar highland oasis, has seen a rapid increase in the number of visitors in recent years. Brennisteinsalda can only be reached by foot. It is located by the Laugavegurinn hiking trail, one of the most popular hiking trails in the highlands, 2 km (1.3 mi) from Landmannalaugar.
Brennisteinsalda can be translated as Sulfur-hill: Brennisteinn is Icelandic for sulfur, while the word alda, when used for landscape, is used to describe hills or small mountains. Alda is also the Icelandic word for ocean wave.
Brennisteinsalda geothermal site in the Central Highlands has been fenced off in an attempt to protect the natural formations, rocks and vegetation from damage and destruction. The site, which is located in the Fjallabak nature reserve, has come under significant stress from growing numbers of visitors.
Visitors at geothermal sites frequently fail to realize the damage caused by walking on the delicate rock formations and the soft ground around geothermal vents. As a result parts of some geothermal sites which draw large numbers of visitors have been all but destroyed. It takes natural processes centuries to repair the damage from one inconsiderate or selfish visitor who decides to deviate from the marked path to get a better view of the vents or to capture that perfect photo.
According to the Icelandic Environmental Agency Brennisteinsalda, which is close to Landmannalaugar highland oasis, has seen a rapid increase in the number of visitors in recent years. Brennisteinsalda can only be reached by foot. It is located by the Laugavegurinn hiking trail, one of the most popular hiking trails in the highlands, 2 km (1.3 mi) from Landmannalaugar.
Brennisteinsalda can be translated as Sulfur-hill: Brennisteinn is Icelandic for sulfur, while the word alda, when used for landscape, is used to describe hills or small mountains. Alda is also the Icelandic word for ocean wave.
