Landowners in Mývatnssveit, North Iceland have closed off access to the popular Grjótagjá cave, containing a natural hot spring, Morgunblaðið reports. Ólöf Hallgrímsdóttir, one of the landowners, says the decision is due to tourist treatment of the spring.
“The lack of respect is total. The signs are not at all followed. People are relieving themselves there, washing their shoes, washing dishes, brushing their teeth, and some have even slept there,” Ólöf states.
Ólöf says information signs have not been sufficient in dissuading the spring’s visitors from harmful and at times dangerous behaviour. The closure is a temporary solution while landowners wait for permission to improve infrastructure in the area.
