Talk about getting off the beaten path . . . Fjaðrárgljúfur is a canyon on the south east coast of Iceland that boasts dramatic, sheer walls, and moss-topped cliffs. It's up to 330 feet deep and about one-and-a-quarter kilometers long, with a river called Fjaðrá flowing through it before emptying into the ocean.
To get there, you have to take a dirt and gravel road, but why hurry? The canyon was created by erosion caused by meltwater from glaciers flowing through rocks across millions of years. It’ll be just a bit deeper when you arrive.
The eastern edge offers stunning views over both the plains and the glacial brooks below. Needless to say, your more adventurous travelers want to see this natural wonder, but getting to the canyon top has always been an arduous task, including a rugged climb on a slippery surface. Recently, however, a trail has been created that allows visitors to see awesome vistas previously available only to the few who dared scale this terrain.
The project undertaken by volunteers in Iceland involved the laying of a walkway that would withstand harsh Icelandic winters, be permeable, allowing water to drain naturally through into the ground and would last for many years to come. Ecoraster grid was chosen because it had all the traits required for the job. Made from 100% recycled plastic, Ecoraster has been manufactured for over 20 years, has a 20 year warranty and is used by the military due to its incredible strength and durability.
The grid was filled with soil so that the natural growth of grass would fill the Ecoraster and in the months ahead become a part of the grassy hillside but with the ground reinforcement needed to navigate the up and down trails leading to the cliffs. The use of any other traditional material would have spoiled the look of the area and would not have stood up to the rough climate in this region.
South Iceland can be an inhospitable locale. Now, with Ecoraster in use, this one-of-a-kind site is accessible to those who appreciate the sort of spectacular beauty only nature can design. For more information, click here.
Volunteers take a break while installing a walkway capable of withstanding harsh weather while also blending into the environment. Photo courtesy of Lentus Products.
