Persistent rains by the Dettifoss have washed away all sand from the walking-paths by Dettifoss waterfall, exposing the packed earth beneath, which is extremely slippery when wet.
Rains washed away the paths
The waterfall, which is in the Northern part of Vatnajökull Glacier National Park is one of the most magnificent in Iceland and a popular tourist attraction, not least due to the deep gorge into which the waterfall plunges. Yesterday two women were injured by the waterfall as they slipped and fell by the waterfall. Following the accident park rangers closed off the area where the accidents happened to avoid further injuries.
The local news site mbl.is quotes park rangers saying the reason for the accidents were the persistent rains in the past few days, which have washed away the walking paths by the waterfall. Park authorities are looking for ways to ensure the walking-paths by Dettifoss remain safe, despite rains, which are, as every visitor knows, quite common in Iceland.
Stay on the path!
Travellers are encouraged to stay on designated pathways by waterfalls and other natural wonders, and under no circumstances venture off those, even when they think they see a path that looks like it was trodden by previous travellers. Paths and other areas are closed for a reason: To protect the safety of travellers and delicate nature which can be damaged if people trample all over it.
Persistent rains by the Dettifoss have washed away all sand from the walking-paths by Dettifoss waterfall, exposing the packed earth beneath, which is extremely slippery when wet.
Rains washed away the paths
The waterfall, which is in the Northern part of Vatnajökull Glacier National Park is one of the most magnificent in Iceland and a popular tourist attraction, not least due to the deep gorge into which the waterfall plunges. Yesterday two women were injured by the waterfall as they slipped and fell by the waterfall. Following the accident park rangers closed off the area where the accidents happened to avoid further injuries.
The local news site mbl.is quotes park rangers saying the reason for the accidents were the persistent rains in the past few days, which have washed away the walking paths by the waterfall. Park authorities are looking for ways to ensure the walking-paths by Dettifoss remain safe, despite rains, which are, as every visitor knows, quite common in Iceland.
Stay on the path!
Travellers are encouraged to stay on designated pathways by waterfalls and other natural wonders, and under no circumstances venture off those, even when they think they see a path that looks like it was trodden by previous travellers. Paths and other areas are closed for a reason: To protect the safety of travellers and delicate nature which can be damaged if people trample all over it.
