The walking path leading to Reykjadalur geothermal area in South Iceland have been closed to all traffic to protect the vegetation along the path. The Icelandic Environment Agency has posted a guard at the start of the path. Unfortunately the agency cannot man the post 24h. Due to this visitors who arrive either early morning before the guard shows up, or at night after the guard has left, have been able to enter the path, thus adding to the serious damage already caused to the vegetation leading to the popular site.
The emergency closing of the path will be in effect for at least two weeks, or until the conditions have improved.
Read more: Visitors at Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon causing serious damage to the site
Reykjadalur valley has become a very popular destination as people flock to enjoy the scenery while bathing in a geothermally heated stream which runs through the valley. To get to the stream visitors first have to hike some 3 km (1.9 mi) along a dirt path. A spokesman for the Environment Agency told the local news site Vísir the path leading to the decision to close the walking path was not made lightly.
It is not clear when the area can be re-opened to the public:
This is to protect the site and to avoid any further damage to nature. When the meltwater has run off and the frost fully thawed from the ground the soil becomes more stable we will be able to re-open the paths, allowing people to enter the area. But it really depends on the weather. It's very hard to say when we will be able to re-open. It could be days, or weeks.
Two nature rangers from the Environment Agency were posted over the Easter weekend at the parking lot where the walking paths to Reykjadalur start. The rangers turned a few hundred visitors away.
Two other popular sites closed
In recent weeks the Icelandic Environment Agency has been forced to close walking paths at two other popular destinations in South Iceland, Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon and the southernmost part of Fimmvörðuháls hiking trail above Skógafoss waterfall. The closing of the walking path leading to Reykjadalur is the third emergency closing issued this spring.
Read more: Walking path above Skógafoss waterfall in S. Iceland closed to protect vegetation
In every case the cause is the same: Rain and thawing ice and snow have left walking paths and the ground extremely soggy as the frost has not thawed completely from the ground. Heavy traffic at a time when the vegetation has not yet woken from its winter hibernation has turned the ground into impassable mudfields.
Read more: Fjaðrárglúfur canyon walking paths to remain closed until end of May to protect vegetation
The walking path leading to Reykjadalur geothermal area in South Iceland have been closed to all traffic to protect the vegetation along the path. The Icelandic Environment Agency has posted a guard at the start of the path. Unfortunately the agency cannot man the post 24h. Due to this visitors who arrive either early morning before the guard shows up, or at night after the guard has left, have been able to enter the path, thus adding to the serious damage already caused to the vegetation leading to the popular site.
The emergency closing of the path will be in effect for at least two weeks, or until the conditions have improved.
Read more: Visitors at Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon causing serious damage to the site
Reykjadalur valley has become a very popular destination as people flock to enjoy the scenery while bathing in a geothermally heated stream which runs through the valley. To get to the stream visitors first have to hike some 3 km (1.9 mi) along a dirt path. A spokesman for the Environment Agency told the local news site Vísir the path leading to the decision to close the walking path was not made lightly.
It is not clear when the area can be re-opened to the public:
This is to protect the site and to avoid any further damage to nature. When the meltwater has run off and the frost fully thawed from the ground the soil becomes more stable we will be able to re-open the paths, allowing people to enter the area. But it really depends on the weather. It's very hard to say when we will be able to re-open. It could be days, or weeks.
Two nature rangers from the Environment Agency were posted over the Easter weekend at the parking lot where the walking paths to Reykjadalur start. The rangers turned a few hundred visitors away.
Two other popular sites closed
In recent weeks the Icelandic Environment Agency has been forced to close walking paths at two other popular destinations in South Iceland, Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon and the southernmost part of Fimmvörðuháls hiking trail above Skógafoss waterfall. The closing of the walking path leading to Reykjadalur is the third emergency closing issued this spring.
Read more: Walking path above Skógafoss waterfall in S. Iceland closed to protect vegetation
In every case the cause is the same: Rain and thawing ice and snow have left walking paths and the ground extremely soggy as the frost has not thawed completely from the ground. Heavy traffic at a time when the vegetation has not yet woken from its winter hibernation has turned the ground into impassable mudfields.
Read more: Fjaðrárglúfur canyon walking paths to remain closed until end of May to protect vegetation
