Hafnarberg Sea Cliffs stretch along the west side of the Reykjanes Peninsula, near Hafnir and a quick drive from Keflavík Airport. Gulls and murres nest on the ledges, and the birds and the ocean view are the reason to come. The cliffs are reached on foot, about 2.5 km each way over flat, barren ground with little to see until the edge. There are no toilets, no water and no shelter.
Hafnarberg Sea Cliffs
Local name: Hafnarberg
In June the ledges are packed with nesting gulls and murres, and the chicks are out on the open rock.
- Accessibility
- Not wheelchair accessible. There is no accessible entrance, and the approach is an unsurfaced walk across open rock.
- Parking
- Free car park with a gravel surface, about 2.5 km from the cliffs.
- Difficulty
- About 2.5 km (1.5 miles) each way, relatively flat, across barren open ground.
- Transport
- No public transport: there is no bus stop within 5 km. Access is by car.
- Hours
- Open 24 hours, every day.
What makes it special
The cliffs hold a seabird colony. Gulls and murres nest on the ledges, and in June chicks sit out on the rock in plain view. The walk in gives no hint of it. The ground is barren — low vegetation and rock to the horizon, with little to look at on either side. Then the view arrives all at once at the edge: open ocean and wind-carved rock along the coast. Bird photographers get the most out of it, so bring a long lens. The wind at the top is strong.
Good to know
- No facilities. There are no toilets, no drinking water and no information board within 5 km of the cliffs. Bring water with you.
- Wind. The clifftop is exposed and the wind is strong. There is no shelter anywhere on the walk, so bring a windproof jacket.
- Birds nest in June. Gulls and murres crowd the ledges, with chicks out on the rock. Keep back and do not disturb them.
- The walk is dull. Barren rock and low vegetation the whole way; the scenery only opens at the cliff edge.
Getting there
No bus goes to the cliffs, so the approach is by car, and the drive in is rough. From the car park the cliffs are about 2.5 km away, one way, on relatively flat and open ground. It is possible to drive closer than the car park and shorten the walk. Keflavík Airport is a quick drive away, which makes the cliffs an easy stop on the first or last day of a trip.
Best time to visit
Better: June, for the nesting season — gulls and murres are on the ledges and the chicks are out on the rock.
Avoid: windy days. The walk and the clifftop are fully exposed, and there is no shelter on the route.
The birds are the reason to come, and they set the calendar. Outside the nesting season the ocean view and the wind-carved rock remain, but the ledges are quiet.
Sun & daylight
Nearby Places
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Hafnarberg Sea Cliffs on the map
The cliff edge drops straight to the sea and the wind at the top is strong. Stay well back from the edge and keep children close.
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Frequently asked questions
Are there toilets or drinking water?
No. There are no toilets, no water and no information point within 5 km of the cliffs. Bring what you need for the walk.What birds nest here?
Gulls and murres nest on the ledges. In June the chicks are visible on the rock. Bring a long lens if you photograph birds.Can you get there by bus?
No. There is no bus stop within 5 km, so the cliffs are reached by car. The drive in is rough.Is it suitable for children?
The walk is flat and the place suits children, but it is about 2.5 km each way and ends at a cliff edge. Keep them close at the top.