Most of the walking paths in Dimmuborgir lava field by lake Mývatn in North Iceland remain covered in snow and mud, making them extremely difficult to traverse, the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service RÚV reports. The only part of the path system in Dimmuborgir which is readily accessible are the 600 m (0.4 miles) of paths which have been paved.
Dimmuborgir is one of the most beautiful lava fields in Iceland, known for its majestic and strange lava formations.
Read more: 13 excellent reasons why you need to visit North Iceland
The Soil Conservation Service, which manages the paths in Dimmuborgir, warns that if the snow melts suddenly it might have to close some of the paths to protect them from heavy traffic. Daði Lange Friðriksson, the local representative of the Soil Conservation Service told RÚV heavy foot traffic could destroy the paths which are particularly fragile at this time of year.
The Soil Conservation Service has requested funding for the paving of more paths in the area, but these requests have been turned down. Daði points out that it is impossible to clear the unpaved paths, because they are too narrow to plow. The paved paths, on the other hand, are easy to plow and as a result they are all clear and dry. A 600 m (0.3 mi.) stretch of the two most popular walking paths, have been paved. However, of these two paths 500 m are still unpaved, and none of the many other paths have been paved.
“Most of the people who visit walk these two paths. These are people who don’t stop long, and they want to take a quick stroll through the lava field. And the tourism season is expanding, so the paths have to be open in May.”
Unfortunately the conditions might take a turn for the worse, Daði points out. “We might have to close down some of the paths this spring, if the ice and snow start to melt suddenly and rapidly.”
Most of the walking paths in Dimmuborgir lava field by lake Mývatn in North Iceland remain covered in snow and mud, making them extremely difficult to traverse, the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service RÚV reports. The only part of the path system in Dimmuborgir which is readily accessible are the 600 m (0.4 miles) of paths which have been paved.
Dimmuborgir is one of the most beautiful lava fields in Iceland, known for its majestic and strange lava formations.
Read more: 13 excellent reasons why you need to visit North Iceland
The Soil Conservation Service, which manages the paths in Dimmuborgir, warns that if the snow melts suddenly it might have to close some of the paths to protect them from heavy traffic. Daði Lange Friðriksson, the local representative of the Soil Conservation Service told RÚV heavy foot traffic could destroy the paths which are particularly fragile at this time of year.
The Soil Conservation Service has requested funding for the paving of more paths in the area, but these requests have been turned down. Daði points out that it is impossible to clear the unpaved paths, because they are too narrow to plow. The paved paths, on the other hand, are easy to plow and as a result they are all clear and dry. A 600 m (0.3 mi.) stretch of the two most popular walking paths, have been paved. However, of these two paths 500 m are still unpaved, and none of the many other paths have been paved.
“Most of the people who visit walk these two paths. These are people who don’t stop long, and they want to take a quick stroll through the lava field. And the tourism season is expanding, so the paths have to be open in May.”
Unfortunately the conditions might take a turn for the worse, Daði points out. “We might have to close down some of the paths this spring, if the ice and snow start to melt suddenly and rapidly.”
