Road 612 (Örlygshafnarvegur), the only vehicle route leading to Látrabjarg in the Westfjords, is currently closed all the way to the cliffs due to mudslides, according to the Icelandic Road Administration’s live traffic bulletin issued this morning. No detour route exists. The closure is in effect as of 22 April 2026 and no reopening date has been announced.
Why this matters for photographers: Látrabjarg is Iceland’s largest seabird cliff and one of the country’s most iconic photography locations — famous for close encounters with puffins, razorbills, and guillemots. Late April marks the beginning of puffin arrival season, making this closure particularly significant for wildlife photographers planning Westfjords visits. The remote location means the closure affects the entire western tip of the peninsula; there is no alternative road access to the cliff.
What photographers should do:
- Check umferdin.is or road.is before departing for the Westfjords — road conditions in this region change quickly and closures can extend for days.
- Do not attempt to drive Road 612 while it is marked as closed. Mudslide conditions on unpaved roads present serious vehicle and personal safety risks.
- Monitor the situation if your trip is upcoming; puffins at Látrabjarg typically remain through mid-August, so access later in the season remains likely.
- Consider alternative seabird locations such as Dyrhólaey (South Iceland) or Borgarfjörður Eystri (East Iceland) if your trip cannot be rescheduled.
Leave No Trace note: When access does reopen, mudslide aftermath often leaves fragile, soft terrain at cliff edges. Stay on established paths and keep a respectful distance from nesting sites — Látrabjarg’s puffins nest in burrows directly alongside the path, and trampling nesting soil causes lasting harm.
For full guidance on visiting and photographing Látrabjarg’s puffins and seabirds, see our Photographing the Westfjords: Iceland’s Forgotten Region.
For responsible wildlife photography practices at seabird colonies, see our How to Photograph Puffins in Iceland Without Disturbing Them.
Source: Icelandic Road Administration (Vegagerðin) — https://umferdin.is/en