Krysuvikurberg

Krysuvikurberg runs for several kilometres along the south coast of Reykjanes, a wall of basalt between about 40 and 50 metres high, and it is one of the larger seabird cliffs in south-west Iceland. Kittiwakes, guillemots, razorbills and fulmars nest on the ledges from late spring, with puffins in burrows on the grassy top; the noise and smell in June are the whole experience. The cliff is undercut in places and stacks stand off it. Because it is under an hour from the capital it is the nearest cliff of this scale to Reykjavik, and it stays far quieter than the better known bird cliffs elsewhere in the country.

What you actually see

• A basalt wall 40 to 50 metres high - several kilometres of nesting ledges.
• Kittiwakes, guillemots and razorbills - the ledge colonies from late spring.
• Puffin burrows on the top - in the grass above the drop.
• The nearest big cliff to the capital - and much quieter than the famous ones.

When to go

May to early August while birds are on the ledges; most leave by mid-August. Two to three hours.

Honest expectations

The cliff edge is unfenced, undercut in places and genuinely dangerous in wind. The access track is rough and unsuitable for small hire cars after rain. Outside nesting season the cliff is largely empty. No facilities at all.

Nearby

Seltun and Graenavatn are inland; Grindavik is west along the coast.