Krýsuvíkurberg is a line of sea cliffs on the Atlantic coast of Iceland, in the Capital Region. The rock falls straight to the water, and gulls nest on the ledges below the rim. Sheep graze the grass on top. A rope marks the boundary at the edge, and a trail carries on along the clifftop to a stretch of red rock with a different outlook. The reasons to come are the birds, the surf at the foot of the cliffs and the emptiness; the reason to think twice is the track in.
Krysuvurberg Cliffs
Local name: Krýsuvíkurbjarg
The white specks on the cliff face are nesting gulls — zoom in with a phone and the whole wall turns out to be occupied.
- Accessibility
- No wheelchair-accessible parking and no wheelchair-accessible entrance.
- Parking
- Free car park at the site; roadside parking is free as well.
- Difficulty
- Rough, winding track in by car, then a long walk over open clifftop to the edge; a trail continues along the cliffs.
- Hours
- Open 24 hours, every day.
What makes it special
From the rim the cliff face looks flecked with white. Zoom in with a phone and the specks resolve into gulls, packed onto ledges above the water. The rock drops straight into the Atlantic and the swell breaks on the boulders at the foot. A rope marks the boundary at the top, and you can stand close to the edge without crossing it.
Most people stop at the parking area, photograph the cliffs and drive away. The trail along the clifftop is the better half of the visit: follow it and the rock turns red further on, with a different set of views out to sea. Sheep graze the grass on top. Puffins do not nest here, so do not come for them.
Good to know
- No toilets: there are none at the cliffs, and no facilities of any kind.
- Layers: the clifftop is fully exposed and it gets very windy. Bring a windproof jacket.
- No puffins: the birds on the ledges are gulls. Anyone coming for puffins should plan a different stop.
- Zoom: the nests sit well down the face. Binoculars or a phone that zooms make the difference.
- Go past the first viewpoint: the trail along the top leads to red rock and views the car park does not give you.
Getting there
The last stretch is the part that decides the trip. The track out to the cliffs leaves the main road rough, bumpy and winding. Driven slowly and with care an ordinary car can manage it; a high-clearance vehicle or a 4x4 has an easier time of it. The track ends at the parking area, and the cliff edge is a walk out from there across open ground. It is a long walk, so allow for it rather than treating the cliffs as a quick roadside stop.
Best time to visit
Better: summer, and early July in particular, when the ledges below the rim are occupied by nesting gulls.
Avoid: low cloud and rain. The site is a view and nothing else, there is no shelter at the top, and in poor visibility the cliff face and the sea below disappear.
Sun & daylight
Nearby Places
Similar Places
Krysuvurberg Cliffs on the map
A rope marks the boundary at the top; beyond it the cliff drops straight to the sea. The clifftop is very windy, and a gust at the edge is the real danger here. Stay behind the rope and keep children within reach.
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Frequently asked questions
Are there puffins at Krýsuvíkurberg?
No. The birds nesting on the ledges are gulls. For puffins, plan a different stop.Can you get there in an ordinary car?
The track off the main road is rough, bumpy and winding. Taken slowly and carefully an ordinary car can get through, but a high-clearance vehicle or a 4x4 handles it far more comfortably.Are there toilets at the cliffs?
No. There are no toilets and no other facilities on site.How much walking is involved?
The walk from the parking area out to the cliff edge is a long one over open ground. A trail then continues along the clifftop to a section of red rock with further views.