Of the almost ISK 42 million (USD 369,000, EUR 256,000) which the Icelandic government has allocated to the Environment Agency of Iceland to improve the condition of preserved areas that are at a risk of damage, most funds will go towards the two main attractions of the Golden Circle tour, Gullfoss waterfall and the Geysir hot spring area, and to Hveravellir, a frequented geothermal area on the Kjölur route in the highlands.

From the Geysir area. Photo by Páll Stefánsson.

At Gullfoss a new walking path will be made from a viewing platform on the upper ledge, along the ravine where another viewing platform will be built by the edge of the waterfall. Also, accessibility for people with disabilities will be improved, Morgunbladid reports.

In the Geysir area a low walking bridge will be constructed across the runoff of the most active erupting hot spring Strokkur, while walking paths and fences will be repaired and improved.

An experiment will also be made with banning smoking in the area. Significant effort goes into cleaning up cigarette butts at popular tourist destinations every summer, according to Ólafur A. Jónsson at the Environment Agency.

At Hveravellir, new information signs will be erected, walking paths around the area will be improved, as will the accessibility. On the Dyrhólaey promontory a safety fence will be put up and walking paths marked and improved.

In the highland resorts Fridland ad Fjallabaki and Landmannalaugar, the condition of walking paths and signage will be improved, false paths closed and the safety standards in the Helgustadanámur mines in Reydarfjördur will be reviewed.