The road to Dettifoss waterfall, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland and a popular tourist destination in North Iceland, was closed last weekend due to slick conditions to ensure the safety of visitors. The road was re-opened on Monday, but walking paths leading to the waterfall remain extremely hazardous and difficult. According to the website of Vatnajökull National Park the reason is record snow levels at this time of the year.
Read more: Video, photos: Conditions at Dettifoss waterfall remain dangerous, visitors urged to show caution
Biologists who visit the area around Dettifoss every year at this time to count birds believe the area has not seen as much snow this late in the spring in nearly 30 years. When the weather warms up and it starts to rain this snow can melt rapidly, submerging walking paths and creating small streams which make it difficult for travellers to reach the waterfall.
The staff of Vatnajökull National Park monitors the area around Dettifoss closely, monitoring the walking path from the parking lot to the waterfall and moving it as melting snow makes the path impassable. On Saturday afternoon the last guests at the waterfall had trouble getting back to the road, since huge areas around the viewing area near the waterfall had been submerged.
The road to Dettifoss waterfall, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland and a popular tourist destination in North Iceland, was closed last weekend due to slick conditions to ensure the safety of visitors. The road was re-opened on Monday, but walking paths leading to the waterfall remain extremely hazardous and difficult. According to the website of Vatnajökull National Park the reason is record snow levels at this time of the year.
Read more: Video, photos: Conditions at Dettifoss waterfall remain dangerous, visitors urged to show caution
Biologists who visit the area around Dettifoss every year at this time to count birds believe the area has not seen as much snow this late in the spring in nearly 30 years. When the weather warms up and it starts to rain this snow can melt rapidly, submerging walking paths and creating small streams which make it difficult for travellers to reach the waterfall.
The staff of Vatnajökull National Park monitors the area around Dettifoss closely, monitoring the walking path from the parking lot to the waterfall and moving it as melting snow makes the path impassable. On Saturday afternoon the last guests at the waterfall had trouble getting back to the road, since huge areas around the viewing area near the waterfall had been submerged.
