Dyrhólaey, from Lágey to the lighthouse

From the car park on Lágey, the low part of the headland, walk west on the gravel path, with the sea stacks of Arnardrangur off to the left. At the west end climb the steps above the beach of Kirkjufjara and follow the path along the cliff top on the south side of Háey, with the arch below. A last flight of steps leads up to the lighthouse and the viewpoints along the coast. Return the same way.

It is 2.9 km there and back with 114 m of ascent; allow about an hour. The grade is Easy: gravel paths and steps, with sheer drops beside them.

The cliffs are sheer, crumbling and fenced only in places: keep to the marked paths and well back from the edges, above all in wind. Kirkjufjara beach below is closed because of sneaker waves, so don't try to get down to it. Dyrhólaey is a reserve for its seabirds: between 1 May and 25 June the nature agency can restrict access (in 2026 the headland was shut from 19:00 to 09:00), and birds nest until September. Starting at Lágey avoids the steep road up to Háey.

Parking costs 750 ISK per car, paid through Parka. The headland is at the end of road 218, about 20 km by road west of Vík; Strætó route 52 stops in Vík.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.