Leirhnjúk and Krafla hiking trails in Mývatn area face poor conditions amid funding dispute

The state of hiking trails and viewpoints at Leirhnjúk and Krafla in the Mývatn area is currently very poor. These sites attract numerous visitors daily, but landowners express reluctance to fund necessary repairs without receiving something in return.

The trails were completed in 2012, with shared funding from the owners and subsidies from a tourism development fund. However, it soon became evident that the materials used were unsuitable for a geothermal area, especially under heavy snow load. In 2014, landowners initiated a fee to cover maintenance costs, but some owners contested this decision, resulting in a legal prohibition of the charges, and since then, access has been free.

Landowner Guðrún María Valgeirsdóttir stated that neither the landowners nor the police can close the area. She acknowledged the danger posed by the current condition of the trails, expressing concern that no one wants the situation to remain unresolved. She emphasized the complexity of ownership issues, indicating that extensive cleanup would be necessary, and no vehicles or trailers are allowed on-site.

Guðrún highlighted the need for a sustainable financial plan to support any future development. She remarked, “You can’t start building a foundation unless you plan to complete the house.” Without a commitment to a fee system for funding improvements, the outlook for timely repairs remains bleak.