It seems every week brings a new story about a popular tourism destination having to close or impose controls to deal with an increased amount of foot traffic.
Located in southern Iceland about 70 kilometers (43 miles) from Vik, the canyon of Fjaðrárgljúfur is the latest addition to the list.
Fjaðrárgljúfur has announced that will be closed for all but five weeks out of the year, according to the Environmental Agency of Iceland.
Thingvellir National Park -- This Iceland highlight appeals to both geology buffs and history enthusiasts. It's home to the rift valley that marks the crest of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, as well as the site where Iceland's first parliament, the Althing, gathered in 930 AD. It's part of Iceland's Golden Circle tourist route along with Gullfoss waterfall and Haukadalur geothermal area. Click on to see more of Iceland's most spectacular places. HALLDOR KOLBEINS/AFP/AFP/Getty Images 
Haukadalur geysers -- The Great Geysir erupts only sporadically but nearby Strokkur geyser shoots steam and boiling water up to 30 meters every 10 minutes or so. The natural phenomenon is a reminder of the geothermal energy that powers this island. Alexander Scheuber/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images 
Gullfoss waterfall -- These spectacular falls lie on the Hvítá river, which is fed by the Langjökull glacier in southwest Iceland. It's a powerful reminder of the force and beauty of nature. Alexander Scheuber/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images 
Gullfoss -- The towering waterfall cascades 32 meters in two stages with whitewater tumbling over basalt rocks amid a lush green backdrop in the summer, or stark white snow in the winter months. Darren Baker/Alamy 
The Krýsuvík geothermal area -- This stunning region features gurgling mud pools amid the yellow, red and orange clay-like earth. The dancing steam and hot springs are intertwined with many hiking paths allowing you to feel lost in the moon-like atmosphere. LOETSCHER CHLAUS/Alamy 
Blue Lagoon - A major attraction, the Blue Lagoon is located in a lava field in Grindavík in southwest Iceland. It draws visitors from around the world looking to soak in the warm, mineral-rich waters amid a dreamlike atmosphere. LEON NEAL/AFP/AFP/Getty Images 
The Thórsmörk region -- This area offers a spectacular view of the landscape ranging from towering mountains to scores of glacial streams and miles of black sand. This interior region is a favorite among hikers in the summer months. ARCTIC IMAGES/Alamy 
Skógafoss -- This is an epic waterfall on the Skóga River in the south of Iceland, dropping 60 meters off cliffs which once formed part of the coastline. It's common to see single or even double rainbows over the falls. Courtesy Promote Iceland 
Reynisdrangar -- These striking basalt sea stacks jut out from a stunning black-sand beach at the foot of the Reynisfjall mountain in southern Iceland. Arterra/UIG/Getty Images 
Reynisdrangar -- The nearby village of Vik sits on a flat coastal plain and is the southernmost settlement in Iceland. Courtesy Promote Iceland 
Hallgrímskirkja -- This Lutheran church is one of the most prominent landmarks in Reykjavík. Standing 74.5 meters tall, it took 41 years to build and was finished in 1986. It's made out of concrete and the design was inspired by the shapes of lava cooling into columns. Courtesy Promote Iceland 
Tjörnin -- Tjörnin is a small lake rich with bird life, situated next to Reykjavík City Hall. It borders a scenic strip of Reykjavík, with colorful houses that beg to be photographed. ARCTIC IMAGES/Alamy 
Hraunfossar -- This natural feature in western Iceland is a series of waterfalls streaming more than 900 meters out of the Hallmundarhraun lava field. Courtesy Visit West Iceland 
Hraunfossar -- The lava flowed from an eruption from a volcano lying under the Langjökull glacier. The water drains into the Hvítá river. Courtesy Visit West Iceland 
Snæfellsjökull -- A huge glacier caps the summit of a volcano on the Snæfellsnes peninsula in the far west of Iceland. The peak soars to 1,446 meters and can be seen across the sea from Reykjavik on a clear day. David Noton Photography/Alamy 
Djúpalónssandur -- This beach at the foot of Snæfellsjökull is covered by small black pebbles that were smoothed and shaped by the force of the tides and whipping of the wind. Visitors love to wander among the frozen lava landscapes and curious rock formations. mauritius images GmbH/Alamy 
The Vatnshellir lava cave -- This 8,000-year-old lava tube takes visitors deep under the Snæfellsjökull National Park to view spectacular lava formations and stunning colors. Courtesy Promote Iceland 
The Akranes Lighthouses -- The bigger of the two lighthouses is open to the public and is a delightful place to visit any time of year. Away from bright lights, tourists and townsfolk flock to the site in winter to catch a glimpse of the northern lights dancing in the sky. Courtesy Promote Iceland 
The Látrabjarg cliffs -- On the westernmost tip of Iceland is a 14-kilometer stretch of sea cliffs which are home to millions of birds including puffins, gannets, guillemots and razorbills. It's one of the world's most spectacular sea-bird cliffs and offers myriad photo opportunities. Claudio Bergero/Alamy 
Rauðisandur beach -- This vast beach with golden-red sand lies in a remote area of the Westfjords and offers gorgeous views of the Látrabjarg area with the mighty Snæfellsjökull glacier looming in the background. Joe Vogan/Alamy 
The Hornstrandir peninsula -- This wild peninsula on the northern tip of the Westfjords is a remote, sparsely populated area of mountains, valleys, tundra and fjords. It offers stunning hiking with excellent opportunities for spotting wildlife. matt griggs/Alamy 
Jökulsárlón -- This is a large glacial lake in southeast Iceland at the head of Breiðamerkurjökull glacier. In summer ice blocks carve off the snout and float down to the lake's mouth or wash up on the black sand beaches.Jorge Fernández/LightRocket/Getty Images
Jökulsárlón --The icebergs vary in color from milky white to bright blue depending on the amount of air trapped within the ice and the light conditions at the time. Courtesy Promote Iceland 
Jökulsárlón -- Seals can often be seen lolling on the icebergs of the glacial lagoon. Courtesy Promote Iceland 
Skaftafell -- Part of Vatnajökull National Park, this is one of southeast Iceland's most stunning places. It's got towering mountains, glaciers, woods and waterfalls, plus green fields and black sands. Courtesy Promote Iceland 
Skaftafell - It's particularly striking on clear days with the snow-capped mountains and blue skies in the background. Courtesy Promote Iceland 
Skagafjörður -- This deep fjord in the north of Iceland is the focus of an agriculture-rich region where horses outnumber humans. Horse tours, rafting and hiking are just some of the possibilities amid the majestic scenery of mountains, coastline and chunks of glacial ice dotting the fjord. Prisma/Dukas Presseagentur Gm/Alamy 
Grimsey Island - A wind-swept and secluded island that is as striking in beauty as it is difficult to reach. It lies 40 kilometers off Iceland's north coast and is home to fewer than 100 people. It's a haven for birdwatchers and for those keen to say they have stood on the Arctic Circle, which crosses the tiny island. Haraldur Stefansson/Alamy 
Godafoss -- The "waterfall of the Gods" is a spectacular semi-circular cataract in northeast Iceland. The water of the Skjálfandafljót River falls from a height of 12 meters over a width of 30 meters. Courtesy Promote Iceland 
The Mývatn Nature Baths -- The man-made lagoon in the Lake Mývatn geothermal area in northeast Iceland features hot, mineral-rich water perfect for bathing. Similar to the Blue Lagoon but with its own unique atmosphere. Travel Pictures/Alamy 
The Mývatn Nature Baths -- The milky-blue water, which stands at 96.8°F, comes from the National Power Company's borehole in Bjarnarflag. Courtesy Promote Iceland 
Dimmuborgir -- The aptly named "dark castles" are a region of weird and wonderful lava caves and rock formations, arguably resembling an ancient citadel, east of Lake Mývatn. Courtesy Promote Iceland 
Dimmuborgir -- The black lava pillars were born from a collapsed lava tube from a large volcanic eruption more than 2,000 years ago. Courtesy Promote Iceland 
Víti -- This crater lake, next to the bigger Öskjuvatn, occupy the giant Askja caldera in northeast Iceland. The whole crater measures 50 square kilometers. Víti was formed during an eruption in 1875. Courtesy Promote Iceland 
Dettifoss -- This waterfall in Vatnajökull National Park in northeast Iceland is reputed to be the most powerful in Europe. Courtesy Promote Iceland 
Dettifoss -- The water comes from the nearby Vatnajökull glacier and has a greyish color because of the sediment-rich glacial run-off. Photopat/Alamy36 photos of beautiful places in Iceland
Prev NextThe primary reason cited was environmental damage caused by an ever-increasing number of visitors. The canyon was also briefly closed for weather-related maintenance in 2018.
While Iceland has many gorgeous natural formations throughout the country, 100-meter-deep (328 feet) Fjaðrárgljúfur has become very popular for several reasons.
Its tall, slender canyon walls are sheer, creating a beautiful effect that photographers love. The other reason? A 2015 Justin Bieber music video, “I’ll Show You,” was filmed there.
Justin Bieber - I'll Show You
The video has more than 440 million views on YouTube, and it was filmed at several spots around the country, not just Fjaðrárgljúfur.
Inga Hlin Palsdottir, director of the national tourism agency Visit Iceland, tells CNN Travel that it’s not fair to blame overtourism – or pop stars – for Fjaðrárgljúfur’s closure.
“It’s just a natural wonder that wasn’t meant to be that popular,” she says. “We need to build a better infrastructure there so we can invite people all year round. We need paths that can be discovered all year round. It’s not only because of nature, it’s a safety issue.”
In particular, springtime presents a challenge at Fjaðrárgljúfur.
“In Iceland you have extreme weather conditions – for example, springtime can be very difficult for the nature when the snow is melting and everything gets more wet and muddy,” adds Palsdottir.
Hannes Sasi Palsson, owner of Reykjavik-based tourism company Pink Iceland, also has a balanced take.
“That part of the country simply can’t cope with all those stomping feet,” he tells CNN Travel. “We have to ask ourselves whether we want to build viewing platforms, charge entry or simply close the area down for a few months a year, giving it time to heal. It’s a debate that any country coming to grips with a massive increase in tourism has to grapple with.”
Palsdottir says that her team will take its guidance on Fjaðrárgljúfur from environmental authorities.
“I don’t necessarily think it will be solved by selling tickets,” she says. “No decisions have been made in this regard.”
Iceland’s popularity as a tourism destination has skyrocketed in the past decade.
Nearly 2.2 million people visited the country in 2017, according to the Icelandic Tourist Board, a figure that’s even more astonishing when compared to the number of people – just 350,000 – who actually live in Iceland. That’s about six times as many visitors as residents.
During the period from May 2017 to May 2018, the number of travelers departing via the country’s primary airport, Keflavík International Airport, increased more than 13%.
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