Heimaklettur Rock

Stairs, then a fixed rope, then four large ladders bolted to the cliff face. That is the way up Heimaklettur. Above the ladders the route runs along the mountain edge and onto a ridge with drops on both sides, up to the lookout at 283 m. The view from there is a full circle: the town, the harbour entrance with its ferries and cruise ships, the sea caves and the neighbouring islands. Sheep graze on the summit and puffins nest around the cliff. There is a guestbook at the top to sign, and the Papar Cross (Krossinn) stands on the way up.

• Ladders and ropes. Four large ladders and a fixed rope at the start. They take one person at a time, so you wait when someone is coming down.
• Not for everyone. Anyone afraid of heights should skip it, and it is not a climb to bring children on.
• Wind decides. Do not attempt it in bad weather. Gusts on the ladders and on the ridge are the problem, not the gradient.
• Before you start. Wear proper boots and bring water. The nearest toilets are down in the town, about 630 m from the rock.

There is no road up. Cars stop at the car parks below, and the rest is on foot. Foot passengers arriving by boat land at the Herjólfur ferry terminal and walk from there. The last stretch is the climb itself: stairs first, then a fixed rope to haul yourself up on, then four large ladders bolted to the cliff. The ladders are more unnerving on the way down than on the way up.

Better: a calm, dry day, whatever the month.

Avoid: bad weather and strong wind.

Wind is the deciding factor here, not the view. The ladders and the summit ridge are exposed, and gusts turn both into a serious problem. Conditions differ between the foot and the top, and it can blow harder at the bottom than at 283 m. Puffins nest around the cliff and are present in summer.