Látrabjarg are the highest cliffs in Iceland as well as the westernmost part of Iceland located in the Westfjords. The cliffs are very steep, about 441 meters high so for some visitors the height might be scary, especially around the edges. Látrabjarg is about 14 km long so it would take a while to walk back and forth. This is one of the most visited tourist attraction in the Westfjords and for a reason, it is hard to describe an amazing place like Látrabjarg, so if you are planning on visiting the Westfjords don't miss this one out and experience it yourself. 

Unfortunately there have been many shipwrecks around Látrabjarg in the past. One of them is the British trawler Dhoon that stranded there in a great storm in 1947. A great rescue operation began right away and lasted for about three days were almost every farmer in the area worked on the rescue. Three crew members drowned, but twelve were rescued.

Látrabjarg is also one of the largest bird colony in Europe. The cliffs are home to so many birds that it is impossible to count them. Among the bird species that you can find there are guillemots, auks, northern gannets, kittiwakes, fulmars, and of course the puffin. The best time to see the birds is in the summertime and the puffin is in Iceland from mid May until late August. You can say that the cliffs are paradise for bird lovers, but you can really get close to the birds in Látrabjarg and get the perfect photo. Be careful though around the edges they are sometimes loose and can easily break. Also take a good look at the ocean, sometimes you can spot seals resting on a rock or whales swimming around.

Stay safe

Be careful around the edges in Látrabjarg they can be very loose and break easily. There is a white line painted on the sheer side and it is prohibited to cross this line.

Directions

The drive from Reykjavik to Látrabjarg takes about 6 hours (418 km) and about 3,5 hours (210 km) from Ísafjörður. From road nr. 62 take road nr. 612 and drive for about an hour (45 km) once you're at the parking lot. From there it is just a short walk to the cliffs.

Note: The Westfjords are usually only accessible in the summer months, from May to October. There is a heavy snowfall in the region and the roads are not maintained as in the rest of Iceland. The main roads are kept open six to seven days per week, but sometimes the weather gets very bad and the roads stay closed. The mountain roads Dynjandisheiði and Hrafnseyrarheiði are closed most of the winter. When traveling during winter in Iceland it is important to travel in appropriate 4X4 vehicle with good winter tires.

Puffin sitting in the cliffs at Látrabjarg in the Westfjords
Latrabjarg cliffs are the highest cliffs in Iceland
Latrabjarg cliffs are one of the largest bird colony in Europe
You can spot the puffin in Iceland from mid May until late August
Puffin sitting in the cliffs at Látrabjarg in the Westfjords
Latrabjarg cliffs are the highest cliffs in Iceland
Latrabjarg cliffs are one of the largest bird colony in Europe
You can spot the puffin in Iceland from mid May until late August

Puffin sitting in the cliffs at Látrabjarg in the Westfjords

Latrabjarg cliffs are the highest cliffs in Iceland

Latrabjarg cliffs are one of the largest bird colony in Europe

You can spot the puffin in Iceland from mid May until late August