Birdwatching & Hiking the Látrabjarg Cliffs, Westfjords

Látrabjarg is one of the largest bird cliffs in Iceland, located at the westernmost point of Europe in the Westfjords region of Iceland. The cliffs stretch up to nearly 1,500 feet (441 m) high and are almost 9 miles (14 km) long. These steep, vertical cliffs are home to millions of birds in the summer months, including Iceland's favorite, the puffin.

You can hike on top of the cliffs, relishing the incredible views of the rocky nesting grounds and the open sea. Your destination is the area's southern part, from which, on clear days, you can see the Snæfellsjökull glacier volcano. Along the way, keep an eye out for puffins and other bird species, such as northern gannets, guillemots, and razorbills. In the case of the Razorbill, Látrabjarg hosts up to 40% of the bird's world population, making the area a vital habitat and ecosystem.
 
If you're planning a trip to Iceland specifically to see the puffins, this is the place for you! There is an abundance of puffins, as this is Iceland's largest seabird cliffs (and one of Europe's largest). Because this particular species sees humans regularly, they don't move as much as other birds when getting attention, so you have a greater chance of snapping the perfect photo here. However, please be aware that the cliff's edge is dangerous, not only because of the height and wind but also because birds dig their burrows there, which makes the soil unstable. Watch your step!