The westernmost point in Iceland. Europe’s biggest bird cliffs. The most visited tourist attraction in the Westfjords. Regardless of its remote and difficult to reach location, laden with accolades Latrabjarg Cliffs is clearly worth the journey.
Located at the end of Road 612, a 22 mile gravel road that is steep and narrow, precariously hugging the curves of mountains. It isn’t for the faint of heart, but it is doable in a 2WD…and it’s gorgeous.
Be sure to have enough gas and any supplies you’ll need, you won’t find any services along the way. Millions of sea birds make the eight miles of steep cliff their home and with a lack of predators, are very brazen.
In the summer season from mid-May until late in August you’ll find razorbill, guillemot, and most beloved, puffins. There are ten million puffins in Iceland and this is the best place to photograph them, unafraid of because the 1446’ foot tall cliff that protects them.
The birds raise their young on the edge of the cliff, burrowing into the land making the soil at its edge unsecure. When viewing, lie down flat to distribute your weight evenly. Don’t ever use flash up close or try and touch a wild puffin, the oils on your skin strip them of their feathers of waterproof nature. Plus they bite, hard, if they feel threatened. During our September visit the iconic birds were already out to sea where the spend the winter, but hiking along the edge of the cliff still made for impeccable views.
It is a 7.4 mile roundtrip hike to reach the highest peak, Heiðnakinn – though most tourists walk only a few minutes into the trail.
The jagged grass topped plateau gradually climbs along the perimeter, on an uneven and muddy rudimentary trail. Looking out over the Breiðafjörður Fjord a few fulmar were all that was left of the great bird colony for the rest of the season.
Weather changed from bright sun to drizzle on and off, and fog pushed its way over the side of the mountain.
On a clear day it is possible to see all the way to Greenland. Birders must plan accordingly to see the famed colony, but anyone can appreciate the stunning nature of these prominent seaside cliffs.