Grábrók Pathway

Popular and historic path in fragile nature

The area has sensitive geological formations and vegetation. A large influx of visitors has formed new paths and caused damage to the area, requiring costly efforts to stabilise and restore vegetation. Visitors tended to walk off the marked paths, thereby damaging the delicate moss cover, which led to the need to intervene. The wooden steps were carefully measured on-site and manufactured off-site, and then assembled at the Grábrók crater.

Removable platforms built by local craftsmen

The pathways and steps at the Grábrók crater were built to protect the natural landscape and react to the increasing pressure from tourism. To minimise disturbance, the wooden steps were built in units at a local carpentry workshop and then assembled on-site. The platform construction was kept simple, and the structure has been designed with the aim of minimising disturbance to the site. Iron poles were carefully drilled into the lava at different depths, and the platform’s steps were carefully laid on top of the soil. As visitors still tended to go off path, ropes and iron poles were installed for guidance. No concrete or similar materials were used in the construction. The infrastructure can therefore be removed again without leaving a trace.