The above photos were taken by a Park Ranger in Þórsmörk valley on the edge of the Central Highlands. Þórsmörk is a popular destination, due to its spectacular beauty and hiking trails. It is the start/end point of two of the most popular hiking trails, Laugavegurinn and Fimmvörðuháls trail. Reaching Þórsmörk can be a bit tricky, however, as the road to Þórsmörk has several unbridged rivers.
The most tricky of these is Krossá river which claims a number of vehicles each year.
A group of foreign travelers, driving a camper van, attempted to cross Krossá a few days ago. The people picked the worst spot they could find, attempting to cross the river at its narrowest. A safe crossing is located only a few meters downstream.
Read more: Numerous travellers faced with millions of króna in water damages after failed river crossings
Halla Einarsdóttir, a ranger stationed in the Langidalur cabin in Þórsmörk told the local newspaper Morgunblaðið that she and the other rangers in the park regularly tow cars out of the river: This has happened a few times in recent weeks, she says, adding that it's primarily foreign travelers who seem to get stuck.
There are all kinds of reasons people get stuck. Some are not driving 4x4s or are driving cars which simply aren't suited to river crossing, or they don't know how to read the river or can't see the crossing, where it's safest to attempt a crossing.
She stressed that inexperienced drivers should seek help and assistance before attempting to cross: Call the rangers in Langidalur cabin at + 354 893 1191 to get advice and information about the conditions in the river before trying to cross Krossá.
Read more: Ask the expert: How to cross those unbridged rivers in the Central Highlands?
The above photos were taken by a Park Ranger in Þórsmörk valley on the edge of the Central Highlands. Þórsmörk is a popular destination, due to its spectacular beauty and hiking trails. It is the start/end point of two of the most popular hiking trails, Laugavegurinn and Fimmvörðuháls trail. Reaching Þórsmörk can be a bit tricky, however, as the road to Þórsmörk has several unbridged rivers.
The most tricky of these is Krossá river which claims a number of vehicles each year.
A group of foreign travelers, driving a camper van, attempted to cross Krossá a few days ago. The people picked the worst spot they could find, attempting to cross the river at its narrowest. A safe crossing is located only a few meters downstream.
Read more: Numerous travellers faced with millions of króna in water damages after failed river crossings
Halla Einarsdóttir, a ranger stationed in the Langidalur cabin in Þórsmörk told the local newspaper Morgunblaðið that she and the other rangers in the park regularly tow cars out of the river: This has happened a few times in recent weeks, she says, adding that it's primarily foreign travelers who seem to get stuck.
There are all kinds of reasons people get stuck. Some are not driving 4x4s or are driving cars which simply aren't suited to river crossing, or they don't know how to read the river or can't see the crossing, where it's safest to attempt a crossing.
She stressed that inexperienced drivers should seek help and assistance before attempting to cross: Call the rangers in Langidalur cabin at + 354 893 1191 to get advice and information about the conditions in the river before trying to cross Krossá.
Read more: Ask the expert: How to cross those unbridged rivers in the Central Highlands?
