
02 Feb Hiking and Puffins in Iceland at the Latrabjarg Bird Cliffs
Ever since I was very young, I have been slightly obsessed with puffins. I had an adorable stuffed puffin, which sent this bird to the top of my favorite animal list. Well, that obsession never faded, so I was on a mission to find puffins on our first visit to Iceland a few years ago. We ended up failing miserably on that first trip, but I resolved to correct it on our return visit this past summer.
There are around 10 million puffins in Iceland between mid-May and September, so if you are in the right spots, such as the Westman Islands or Latrabjarg, there is a decent chance that you will spot some puffins.
When we made plans to visit the Westfjords, we put the Latrabjarg Bird Cliffs on our itinerary and crossed our fingers that we would see puffins! These cliffs are one of the most western points in Europe and they also happen to be the largest bird cliffs in Europe. The 440 meter high cliffs are home to a dizzying amount of birds—the main attraction is a large colony of puffins but you can also find birds such as razorbills, arctic terns, snipes, snow buntings, white-tailed eagles and the list goes on.
On the second day of our Happy Campers road trip with Evan and Hilary, we drove the bumpy gravel road out to the Latrabjarg Bird Cliffs. The road is 36 km long and there are no gas stations nearby, so be sure to fill up on gas before you head out on your adventure.
We arrived at the cliffs to find a fairly full parking lot but not a lot of people in sight. After a quick picnic lunch, we set out on a hike along the cliff’s edge and kept our eyes open for the iconic bright orange beaks and feet that make puffins so adorable and easy to distinguish.
The dirt trail led us along a 14 km path near the edge of the cliff. We could see thousands of birds swooping in and out of their homes that were built into the side of the cliffs, and Evan and Hilary spotted an elusive Arctic Fox, but we couldn’t seem to find any puffins. The further we walked, the more discouraged I became.
We weren’t planning on hiking the entire 14 km trail, so eventually, we decided that we needed to turn around and head back towards the car. Even though we weren’t finding puffins, we decided to make the best of it and soak up the gorgeous landscapes surrounding us. The lush green grass, rocky cliffs and wild ocean created a scene that was beyond stunning.
Once we made it back to the car, Evan decided to go for a little walk to the lighthouse near the parking lot. Just as I was trying to come to terms with not seeing any puffins, Evan came back and announced that he spotted some on his walk. I was beyond excited and we rushed over to the section of cliffs that we had previously overlooked.
These cliffs have white lines drawn a few feet from the cliffs edge—you are not allowed to stand anywhere over the line, but you can lie down and peer over the edge. The reason for this is that the puffins build their homes by hollowing out a space under the edge of the cliff. If you stand on the weakened ground, there is a chance that you will fall through and become an unwelcome visitor in their home. Lying down flat over this area is fine though because your weight is distributed evenly which means you won’t fall through.
We got into position and waited. In mere seconds, a puffin popped out of its house and stared back at us. One by one, we watched the birds perch on the grass in front of their homes—I whispered excited screams each time another one decided to hang out right in front of us. I swear, these birds must have had a modeling contract; they were quite the crowd pleasers.
After 45 minutes or so of bird watching, we finally pulled ourselves away. I didn’t want to leave, but I was happy to have finally fulfilled one of my childhood dreams of seeing a puffin in the wild. It was one of my favorite days of the entire trip and we would definitely recommend stopping at the Latrabjard Bird Cliffs if you are in the Westfjords!
Trail Information & Tips:
Distance: 14 km (8.7 miles), but to see the Puffins try checking the cliffs that are just a short walk away from the parking lot.
GPS Points: N65° 30′ 8.760″ W24° 31′ 46.749″
Tips:
- Don’t get too close to the edge of the cliff because the rocks can be fragile and might break away.
- Be sure to stay behind the white lines along the edge of the cliff so you don’t fall into a puffin’s house!
- Don’t be disruptive when observing the puffins. Keep your distance and leave no trace.
- Remember to get gas prior to heading to the cliffs as there are no gas stations nearby.
- It’s also a good idea to pack snacks as there are no restaurants around the area.
- We couldn’t find bathrooms nearby, so be aware that you might not find any either.
Dorene
Posted at 05:17h, 04 FebruaryIncredible photos guys! OK this place is definitely on our list. Thanks to this post, this introduced me to your blog. Great design and simplicity. Cheers!
Jenna Kvidt
Posted at 04:13h, 05 FebruaryThanks, Dorene–really appreciate it!
Jenna Kvidt recently posted…Hiking and Puffins in Iceland at the Latrabjarg Bird Cliffs
Fiona Maclean
Posted at 05:19h, 04 FebruaryTwitter: fionamaclean
I thought puffins were cartoons when I was a kid – they really are quite spectacular! Fabulous photography – and I am so glad that you eventually found them
Fiona Maclean recently posted…A Peek at Paris – Musée d’Orsay
Jenna Kvidt
Posted at 04:12h, 05 FebruaryThanks! I was so happy to find them, too 🙂
Jenna Kvidt recently posted…Hiking and Puffins in Iceland at the Latrabjarg Bird Cliffs
Megan Jerrard
Posted at 05:24h, 04 FebruaryTwitter: mappingmegan
Fantastic photography as always! We loved our time in Iceland and spent whole days camped out on cliff faces to photograph the puffins! Ended up walking back to the car covered in bird droppings lol but was so worthwhile to see such an incredible bird in their natural habitat, and hundreds of them!! We didn’t make it to the Westfjords, so are hoping to have a chance to head back to iceland, and take in Latrabjarg Bird Cliffs on the next trip 🙂
Jenna Kvidt
Posted at 04:12h, 05 FebruaryThanks Meg! Lol, that’s hilarious about the bird droppings, but definitely worth it to see so many puffins! 🙂
Jenna Kvidt recently posted…Hiking and Puffins in Iceland at the Latrabjarg Bird Cliffs
Nat Deduck
Posted at 09:05h, 04 FebruaryTwitter: Loveandroad
Wow! I’m in love! We haven’t made it to Iceland yet, but it is on the bucket list, especially after reading this! Your photos are gorgeous and we can’t wait to go!
Nat Deduck recently posted…Is Edinburgh Hogmanay The Best Place for New Year’s Eve in Europe?
Jenna Kvidt
Posted at 04:11h, 05 FebruaryThanks–hope you can make a trip to Iceland soon! It’s a gorgeous spot!
Jenna Kvidt recently posted…Hiking and Puffins in Iceland at the Latrabjarg Bird Cliffs
Melissa Giroux
Posted at 09:06h, 04 FebruaryAren’t they cute? I didn’t know puffins were also in Iceland! Looks like I have more excuses to go now! 😀 (PS: I love your pics!)
Melissa Giroux recently posted…Colorful & Cool Things To See In London
Jenna Kvidt
Posted at 04:10h, 05 FebruarySo cute! Thanks! And yes, the more excuses to visit the better, lol! 🙂
Jenna Kvidt recently posted…Hiking and Puffins in Iceland at the Latrabjarg Bird Cliffs
Jennifer
Posted at 09:49h, 04 FebruaryTwitter: jdomb
Next time you are in Iceland, head out to the Westmann Islands. There’s a small bird museum there and they have a resident puffin. He was a dwarf and abandoned, so the museum owners took him in and raised him. He can’t return to the wild, but he loves to cuddle people!
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Jenna Kvidt
Posted at 04:10h, 05 FebruaryThanks for the heads up on that! Would love to visit the resident puffin there 🙂 We were just talking about how we need to visit the Westman Islands on our next trip to Iceland, so this gives me even more incentive, lol!
Jenna Kvidt recently posted…Hiking and Puffins in Iceland at the Latrabjarg Bird Cliffs
Sarah Ebner
Posted at 10:04h, 04 FebruaryTwitter: sarahjebner
I honestly had never heard of Latrabjarg Bird Cliffs but it sounds right up my street as, like you, I love puffins and would really love to see them in real life. It looks beautiful there in any case, but I am so pleased you actually saw them – what a brilliant day out (and another place to add to my list!)
Jenna Kvidt
Posted at 04:08h, 05 FebruaryYeah, it’s a great spot regardless of seeing puffins so that’s definitely a plus either way! So glad we got to see them though 🙂 It was a really fun spot to check out!
Jenna Kvidt recently posted…Hiking and Puffins in Iceland at the Latrabjarg Bird Cliffs
chrysoula
Posted at 12:50h, 04 FebruaryTwitter: chrysoulamanika
Oh Iceland is so much on my bucket list. I had no idea that there were so many puffins there. I am not such a big fan as you are but I do like this bird a lot. I have to arrange a trip there asap.
Jenna Kvidt
Posted at 04:01h, 05 FebruaryYeah, I was surprised just how many they have there! It was fun to finally see it 🙂 Hope you can make it to Iceland soon!
Jenna Kvidt recently posted…Hiking and Puffins in Iceland at the Latrabjarg Bird Cliffs
Rachel Elizabeth
Posted at 15:18h, 04 FebruaryI saw puffins in Scotland and they were so cute! No puffins when I visited Iceland, though, because I went in the winter. 🙂 You got some great photographs!
Jenna Kvidt
Posted at 04:01h, 05 FebruaryThanks, Rachel! Glad yo got to see them in Scotland–they are just too cute! 🙂
Jenna Kvidt recently posted…Hiking and Puffins in Iceland at the Latrabjarg Bird Cliffs
Laura Lynch
Posted at 02:28h, 06 FebruaryTwitter: savoredjourneys
I’m so glad you were able to find them. It would have been sad not to see them. They are such beautiful creatures. Seeing them up close is a such a treat. And the photos are so awesome
Jenna Kvidt
Posted at 22:50h, 06 FebruaryThanks, and I’m so glad we were able to find them, too! So fun to see them up close!
Jenna Kvidt recently posted…Hiking and Puffins in Iceland at the Latrabjarg Bird Cliffs
Elisa
Posted at 01:27h, 08 FebruaryI did not know there were puffins in Iceland. . . I love puffins I love terrific landscapes and I love hiking so looking at your pictures there are no more excuses for me to book a trip to Iceland! Thanks for sharing
Jenna Kvidt
Posted at 00:50h, 16 FebruaryGlad to hear you are thinking about a trip to Iceland–it’s such a great country! The puffins were certainly adorable!! 🙂
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Jyo
Posted at 16:00h, 02 MarchIceland is number one on my bucket list.. just waiting for the right time. Your pictures are simply stunning and what a lovely location..
Jenna Kvidt
Posted at 00:50h, 03 MarchThanks so much! Hope you can get there soon! It’s a wonderful country and one of our favorites!
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Agness of aTukTuk
Posted at 13:23h, 14 AprilTwitter: agnesstramp
Iceland is magical! I would love to go for a hike there, Jenna!
Jenna Kvidt
Posted at 02:27h, 28 AprilAgree-it is magical! 🙂 Hope you can go for a hike there sometime!
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Eran
Posted at 18:26h, 25 JuneAre these puffins cute or what?! 🙂
I just returned from the Faroe islands and want to see them again!
Jenna Kvidt
Posted at 01:41h, 02 JulyThey are the best!! So adorable 🙂 Would love to see them in the Faroe Islands, too!
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