Birdwatching in Látrabjarg : a perfect place in the Westfjords for puffin lovers
Látrabjarg (LaO-tra-byarrg) is still a destination not to be missed for bird and puffin lovers. Látrabjarg is located in North West Iceland, in the Vestfirðir peninsula, and in the westernmost region of Europe.
Its coastline are made of cliffs fourteen kilometers long and rising to an altitude of 440 meters. The cliffs are home for millions of nesting seabirds, including the Razorbill whose population on this site represents 40% of the world's population of this species. They also shelter the largest puffin colony in the world.
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Why Go to Látrabjarg Cliffs?
This massive windy cliff, lost at the end of Iceland, is a splendid natural reserve where many birds nest, including the charismatic and emblematic puffin but also, the razorbill, the common guillemot, black-legged kittiwake or northern fulmar.
To be sure to see a maximum of birds and especially puffins, you will have to try to go there preferably on a rainy day, the puffins love the rain and go to sea in good weather (just because they are too hot in the sun!).
How to Get to Látrabjarg?
Located in the Westfjords, this is a place only accessible by car (and yes, there is no bus yet!). If you want to come to Látrabjarg, do not come here specifically, plan to spend a few days in the western fjords.
The roads are not as good as in the rest of the country and travel times may be longer than usual (you will not drive at 80 / 90km per hour on small roads that lead to tourist sites, especially if you have only a small car). From Reykjavik, you will first need to take Route 60 after Borgarnes and continue until Flókalundur, then take Route 62, west to Patreksfjörður. Before you get there, you will take Route 612 - until the end of the road! Link to Google maps.
Even if the roads are accessible with a classic car, I strongly advise you to opt for a small 4x4 or at least a sedan, more able to face the small roads! You can book a rental car here.
If you have some time and want to discover a concentration of the fjords of the west, Látrabjarg is a must. For more information on the western fjords, do not hesitate to contact me.
Do's and Don'ts at Látrabjarg
- Do go when there's rainy weather but without too much wind (the birds are at sea in good weather and sheltered by high wind) - the weather can change really quickly in the Westfjords.
- Don't get too close to the edge, stay on the trail. The cliff is steep and its surroundings are dangerous because they are studded with unstable puffin nests so be careful!
- Don't forget to take warm clothes, windproof and waterproof (as always!).
- Do bring food with you. There is no food service nearby, plan snacks and water, you can easily spend many hours walking the cliff and observe birds.
- Don't go there if you cannot walk for more than 2 hours! The walk is easy but you will have to climb to the cliff. This is a tip because the road to get there is pretty chaotic!
- Before your trip, check these websites : weather forecast / road conditions / safety during your trip (on this website, you will find informations about your security and you can also register your trip and itinerary).
More importantly, don´t fly your drones and don´t stay too long by the cliffs to avoid disturbing the birds. Látrabjarg is a nature reserve so try not to disturb the wildlife while you´re there :)
Discover the tours in the West Fjords where Látrabjarg cliffs are. If you want to explore the remote Hornstrandir nature reserve, check my article.
Have a nice trip / Góða ferð!
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