The Icelandic Environment Agency has rejected plans by the Icelandic Touring Association for new and improved facilities at Hrafntinnusker Highland Cabin. The agency argues that better facilities could increase the appeal of the cabin as a hiking destination, drawing in more visitors and thus increasing the traffic in the area. Hrafntinnusker cabin is one of the most remote highland cabin, located on the popular Laugavegur hiking trail in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve.
Better facilities could increase traffic
The Icelandic Touring Association, Ferðafélag Íslands, applied for permission to build a new 42 square meter (452 sq ft.) structure to replace an older shed with benches and tables which is used for cooking and eating by hikers who stop in Hrafntinnusker. The new dining shed was to have seating and tables for 40 guests and an area to cook and prepare food. The application stressed that the goal was not to increase the capacity of the cabin or to increase the number of visitors and guests at the cabin.
The Environment Agency rejected this argument, claiming that better facilities would serve as a magnet, making Hrafntinnusker a more appealing destination for travelers.
The manager of the Icelandic Touring Association told the local newspaper Morgunblaðið that the association hoped to work with the Environment Agency to find a solution so that the facilities at the cabin could be brought up to date and improved.
One of least accessible cabins in Iceland
Hrafntinnusker can only be accessed by foot or by specially equipped mountain trucks. The cabin, which is located high in a mountain pass is inaccessible most of the year due to heavy snow in the area. The nearest road, Fjallabaksleið syðri F210, is usually only open to traffic from June 25 to September 16. There is a 10 km hike from Fjallabaksleið syðri to the cabin.
The cabin is located at an altitude of 1,100 meters (3,600 ft). The first cabin in Hrafntinnusker was constructed in 1977 to serve hikers on the popular Laugavegur trail which runs from Þórsmörk Nature Reserve to Landmannalaugar highland oasis. The cabin has room for 52 guests as well as a campsite.
The Icelandic Environment Agency has rejected plans by the Icelandic Touring Association for new and improved facilities at Hrafntinnusker Highland Cabin. The agency argues that better facilities could increase the appeal of the cabin as a hiking destination, drawing in more visitors and thus increasing the traffic in the area. Hrafntinnusker cabin is one of the most remote highland cabin, located on the popular Laugavegur hiking trail in the Fjallabak Nature Reserve.
Better facilities could increase traffic
The Icelandic Touring Association, Ferðafélag Íslands, applied for permission to build a new 42 square meter (452 sq ft.) structure to replace an older shed with benches and tables which is used for cooking and eating by hikers who stop in Hrafntinnusker. The new dining shed was to have seating and tables for 40 guests and an area to cook and prepare food. The application stressed that the goal was not to increase the capacity of the cabin or to increase the number of visitors and guests at the cabin.
The Environment Agency rejected this argument, claiming that better facilities would serve as a magnet, making Hrafntinnusker a more appealing destination for travelers.
The manager of the Icelandic Touring Association told the local newspaper Morgunblaðið that the association hoped to work with the Environment Agency to find a solution so that the facilities at the cabin could be brought up to date and improved.
One of least accessible cabins in Iceland
Hrafntinnusker can only be accessed by foot or by specially equipped mountain trucks. The cabin, which is located high in a mountain pass is inaccessible most of the year due to heavy snow in the area. The nearest road, Fjallabaksleið syðri F210, is usually only open to traffic from June 25 to September 16. There is a 10 km hike from Fjallabaksleið syðri to the cabin.
The cabin is located at an altitude of 1,100 meters (3,600 ft). The first cabin in Hrafntinnusker was constructed in 1977 to serve hikers on the popular Laugavegur trail which runs from Þórsmörk Nature Reserve to Landmannalaugar highland oasis. The cabin has room for 52 guests as well as a campsite.
