The popular tourist attraction Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon in South East Iceland has been closed due to severe damage to vegetation, Vísir reports. The Environment Agency of Iceland made the decision to protect the area. The area has been under stress in recent times, which has caused damage to vegetation alongside a trail. It’s believed the damages can be caused to the increased numbers of travellers in the area.
The weather played its part as the last couple of weeks have been warm along with the area receiving copious amounts of precipitation. This has caused the trail, which lies along the canyon, to become damaged and it is now ill traversed due to mire and mud.
“This causes guests to walk outside of the marked trail. The vegetation is in hibernation this time of the year so the area becomes extremely sensitive to intrusion. It is damaged quickly with the intrusion of travellers outside of the trail, as well as creating new faulty trails. A large number of travellers visit the area each day, so the stress on the trail and its surroundings is immense. A repair and reconstruction of a part the trail was completed this summer, and that part is in a decent condition. A new trail alongside all of the canyon has been designed which will withstand changeable weather as we’ve experienced in recent weeks. We aim to begin that construction at the first opportunity”, part of the Environment Agency’s statement read.
The Environment Agency of Iceland had previously closed off the canyon in March, 2018. The area is a naturally protected one, and is number 703 on the list of natural features in Iceland. The area will be closed off from January 9. The Agency intends to review the closing no later than within two weeks, if the area’s status changes.
The car park in the area will be closed off, and it will be impossible to park cars in the nearer surroundings of the area.
Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon is popular for its natural beauty. Situated in South East Iceland, the Fjaðrá river runs through and has carved itself around 100 metres deep. It is about two kilometres long, with steep walls and a winding river. It is situated close to the town of Kirkjubæjarklaustur.
