Heimaklettur is the biggest rock in the jumbled chain of cliffs wrapped around the harbour of Heimaey, the main island of the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago south of Iceland. It looks inacessible, but it is possible to climb all the way to the top. In this article I will give you a detailed description of the Heimaklettur hike on Heimaey. The views from the top across the islands are incredible!

Prettiest harbour entrance in Iceland

The Heimaey harbour entrance is stunningly beautiful. People coming in on the ferry are often triggered into a photo-frenzy when they sail into it, through a narrow passage along mountainous rocks. They shelter the harbour like a protective arm from fierce tides and rogue winds coming in from the north. Heimaklettur rises up at the end of it, and sits proudly across from the harbour, watching over it.

Heimaklettur and the harbour entrance.

The Home Rock

At 279 meters, Heimaklettur is the tallest mountain on Heimaey, and the defining landmark of the island. Its bulky shape is visible all around town. Heimaklettur literally means ‘Home Rock’.

Sheer cliffs, ladders and chains

With sheer cliffs rising up on all sides, Heimaklettur may look a bit daunting and inaccessible at first sight. But there is actually a walking track to the top. And there are ladders and chains to help you up the steep sections at the bottom.

Wilderness Coffee on the rocks!

Hiking track on the upper part of Heimaklettur.

Climbing up to Heimaklettur

I made a detailed description of the Heimaklettur hike, including lots of pictures of what the track is like. This will give you a good idea of what to expect along the way. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do!

From the start of the track it takes about 45 minutes to reach the top, and another 30 minutes to get back down again. This is not counting the time you need to enjoy the great views, a picnic or a Wilderness Coffee along the way. 😉

Vestmannaeyjar island shapes.

Vestmannaeyjar, shaped by volcanic activity

The chain of craggy rocks on the north side of Heimaey is the oldest part of the island, forged by volcanic activity from the hotspot underneath about 40.000 years ago. Initially the harbour kletturs and the cliffs around Herjólfsdalur were two seperate islands. Later on they were connected by Eiðið, the narrow strip of land between them. Stórhöfði, the peninsula in the south, was formed as a third island about 6000 years ago. When Helgafell arrived to the scene, all three were merged together into the present island.

The shifting and changing is still an ongoing process. Only as recent as 1973 Eldfell made its sudden and spectacular entrance, when it erupted out of nowhere in a grassy field next to Helgafell.

In case of emergency, dial 112… 😉

Starting point of the Heimaklettur hike

The gravel path up to Heimaklettur starts at Eiðið, behind the narrow end of the harbour. It takes about 20 minutes to walk to the start of the track from the ferry harbour and the central part of town. The first part of the track involves a series of ladders against the steep lower cliffs. Once you’re up above the ladders, you will reach the grassy slopes and rolling meadows that lead to the top.

The walking track can be a bit tricky in some places, with narrow paths, steep drop-offs and provisional steps carved into the rocks. There are chains attached at crucial points, to help you along the more precarious parts. But it should not be attempted in howling winds or horizontal rain. Or if you are sensitive to vertigo or fear of heights.

The wind can be really treacherous in Iceland, and especially on Vestmannaeyjar!

This track contains steps and ladders – not to mention ropes and chains…

Warning signs

Recently a new sign has been placed at the bottom of the first ladder, to inform hikers and encourage them to take care and responsibility when they go up the track.

If at any point you feel unsure about continuing, whether it’s a case of wobbly knees or a sudden bout of nasty weather rolling in, you always have the choice to turn back. It’s no fun being blown off the mountain, or slide down a steep grassy slope into the harbour.

But don’t let that discourage you. The Heimaklettur hike is a spectacular and exhilarating walk, where you can enjoy stunning views on all sides along the way. Especially when the weather is good – and not too windy!

Looking down the steep slopes above the harbour.

The ladders up to Heimaklettur

After scrambling up the gravel heap at the bottom of Heimaklettur, you’ll reach the ladders set up against the steep and rocky lower cliffs. The first and second ladder are connected by small plateaus.

Above the second ladder, a path of wooden steps leads across a grassy slope full of wildflowers up to the third ladder. This is the part where it gets tricky and you have to scramble up the notorious sheepcage cliff.

The second ladder and steps.

The first set of ladders at the top of the gravel slope.

Steps up to the third ladder.

The notorious sheepcage ledge

The third and last ladder goes up to a ledge with a (usually empty) sheepcage. The sheep are roaming freely around the grassy meadows further up on Heimaklettur. When you come in on the ferry, you can often see them grazing on the steep mountainsides above.

The ladders on Heimaklettur were installed in the early 2000’s. You don’t even want to think about what it was like to climb up Heimaklettur before that time…

There’s a chain and a rope attached onto the ledge below the sheepcage, and some small steps carved out in the rocks just on the left of the ladder.

The third ladder leading up to the sheepcage ledge.

New and improved ladders and steps

Up until a few years ago, this last ladder didn’t reach all the way to the top of the ledge. You had to balance on the upper steps to get hold of the ropes, braving wobbly knees and decide if you felt confident enough to make this rather big leap. With nothing else but the rope to hold on to while doing so…

But now the old rickety ladder has been replaced by a new and improved version that reaches comfortably above the ledge. This makes it a lot less complicated to get hold of the ropes and step onto the ledge. After that, the rest of the way up is relatively easy.

Still, it’s probably the trickiest part of the track. And don’t forget: on the way down you’ll have to do this in reverse, and lower yourself from the ledge onto the ladder again…

Looking up to the sheepcage.

Ropes and chains on the ledge below the sheepcage.

Pleasant grassy ridge on the side of Heimaklettur

If you feel unsure about continuing at this point: there is a nice alternative. Heimaklettur has a broad & pleasant grassy ridge near the bottom of the sheepcage ladder, just around the corner to the right. It’s an excellent place to enjoy a picnic and great views over the harbour and town.

Usually it’s quite sheltered from the wind too, and worth a little side-trip at any rate.

The grassy ridge to the right of the sheepcage ladder.

The dazzling view from the end of the ridge to Langa, the grassy hill and beach below Heimaklettur.

Klif, the beacon rock, on the other side of the Eiðið isthmus.

The track above the sheepcage

After a relaxing break on the grassy ridge, it’s time to finally conquer the daunting sheepcage ledge and continue on the track further up. The track beyond the sheepcage until you get to the upper slope is very narrow and rocky in places. There are chains attached to some of the steeper and trickier parts.

Once you’re on the upper slope, it’s mostly fine.

The path above the sheepcage.

More narrow & rocky tracks, some with chains attached to the side.

The intersection halfway up

After the rocky parts along steep sides you’ll reach an intersection of paths and sheep tracks. Here you take a sharp turn to the left. Soon after, you will reach the broad and grassy upper slopes of Heimaklettur.

There are a few sheep tracks circling around Heimaklettur, but the path to the top is quite obvious once you’re on it.

Traffic jam on the track may occur at any time… 😉

Grassy meadows on the upper slope, with a view to the Eldfell lava field.

Puffins flying around Heimaklettur

In summer you can often see lots of puffins sitting on that stubby rock sticking out on the left near the top of Heimaklettur. They are also flying around the slopes down the other side, towards Miðklettur and Ystiklettur near the harbour entrance.

The best time to see them is late in the evening before sunset.

Steep drop-off to the seaside… the notorious Dufþekja.

Heimaklettur guestbook

At the top of Heimaklettur there’s a guestbook to leave your thoughts and impressions of this beautiful walk. Some locals frequently write in it; they go up on a regular basis as a way of exercise. And perhaps some friendly competition amongst each other as well – to see who has gone up the most times within a year. When the sun goes down, the guestbook area is a popular hangout spot for the local sheep too. 😉

Heimaklettur is the only Vestmannaeyjar peak with its own guestbook. The light on top also doubles as a beacon for incoming and outgoing regional planes.

Guestbook, airplane beacon and sheep hangout at the top.

Ring of kletturs and lava fields panorama.

Ring of kletturs and harbour rocks

Don’t miss the hidden view behind the top! Beyond the guestbook, walk a little further down the slope towards the harbour entrance. You’ll be greeted by a stunning view over the other kletturs, forming a beautiful circle of cliffs around the harbour. Here you can really see why this is the most beautiful harbour entrance in Iceland.

On clear days you can see the main land with Eyjafjallajökull and Hekla in the distance, and the vast lava fields coughed up by Eldfell in 1973.

The light is getting beautiful… And if the sheep can go there, then so can I! 😉

Heimaklettur hike summary

Distance: 2 kilometres return from the Eiðið carpark.
Time: About 1 to 1,5 hours.
Heimaklettur summit: 279 metres above sea level.
Difficulty: Challenging. Steep and exposed sections with ropes and chains.

Heimaklettur map

This handy interactive map shows the walking route from Eiðið up to the top of Heimaklettur. You can also zoom in for more details of the track, and click on the icons for pictures of stunning views along the way.

Note: The map is a bit distorted because of the steepness of Heimaklettur… You can see some details when you zoom in, but it doesn’t really show the finer details of the track itself. See the photo’s further up in this post for that. But there’s only one way up and down Heimaklettur, so you won’t get lost.

This is one of the top-5 blog posts of 2017, and a reader’s favourite every year since.

Where the mountains sing through the screams of seagulls…
And the magic nights surpass all others… í ‘HeimaEyjan’ mínn… 😉

Other tracks & hikes on Heimaey

If you’re up for another klettur, you can continue on to Klif, the one with the flat top and the beacon on the other side of Eiðið. Or go up behind Klif to the HáHá plateau, for the stunning ridge walk around Herjólfsdalur.

Not sure if Heimaklettur is the right track for you? There are plenty of other walking tracks around Heimaey. And not all of them involve ladders or ropes and chains.

Looking towards Klif and Dalfjall across from Heimaklettur.

Candles light the way in the impending darkness.

Candles on Heimaklettur

When the days grow shorter, candles are often placed on the slopes along the cliffside facing town. These candles are lit by dedicated locals who frequently go up to Heimaklettur – so people in town can enjoy some pretty lights blissfully shining during the darker days of the year. It’s a quirky and enchanting Vestmannaeyjar tradition that has been going for over a decade. Some of the regulars even have their own ‘candle spot’.

Chrismas and New Year’s extravaganza

Usually you can spot one or two candles. But around Christmas and New Year it gets totally out of control, when Heimaklettur is decorated with a multitude of candles all over the upper slopes. It’s an incredibly beautiful sight.

Christmas and New Year’s candles on Heimaklettur.

Candles on mountains

A contagious Vestmannaeyjar tradition

I was fascinated by the candles on Heimaklettur since I first came to Vestmannaeyjar. It inspired me to become an avid candle lighter too. I took part in the New Year’s Eve candle lighting session in 2017, and went & lit candles on several other kletturs as well.

I’m proud to contribute to this unique local tradition. Kveikjum eldana! 🔥

If you are wondering what this is all about, find out more in my story about the candles on mountains.

I’ve added my own candles a couple of times too… 😉

Where is Vestmannaeyjar?

Vestmannaeyjar is a volcanic chain of islands just off the south coast of Iceland, directly across from Eyjafjallajökull. They are also known as the Westman Islands. The main island of Heimaey may look tiny on the map, but there’s a lot of spectacular scenery densely compressed into its 13,4 square kilometres. The ferry to Heimaey departs from Landeyjahöfn harbour and takes 35 minutes. You’ll see the turn-off to Landeyjahöfn near the Seljalandsfoss waterfall on the Ring Road.

(c) Nancy Claus – Wilderness Coffee & Natural High

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Last update: 8 September 2023
First published: 2 July 2017

Read how to travel to Vestmannaeyjar in this article.

View over Heimaey harbour from the ridge on Heimaklettur.

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Videos

Midnight sun in Iceland

The sunset views from the top of Heimaklettur are absolutely magical. This is what the midnight sun looks like… Luminous clouds & pink skies throughout the night. It’s like fiery red & orange northern lights!

This was taken around 01:30 hrs on Solstice night (20-21 June 2018), with an amazing view to Eyjafjallajökull across on the other side. The sun took a short break down the horizon at 23:40 hrs, and was bright & shining again at 03:05 hrs.

Fireworks in the sky, above and below

The first New Year’s Eve fireworks on Heimaey, while the last sunset of the year is simultaneously blasting a firework in the sky. View from the top of Heimaklettur during the NYE candle lighting session (2017).

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More to explore & discover

Vestmannaeyjar – Þar sem hjartað slær (A spectacular island and festival)

Ode to the mountains – The magic of Mount Taranaki

Island hopping on the Aeolian Islands – A volcanic archipelago

Dalalæða – Spectacular waterfalls of fog

Thórsmörk – Rjúpnafell and the hidden valley