I finally visited Norway this summer for almost two weeks, spending a week road tripping around the country. One of my dreams was to see puffins here, and I managed to make that dream come true on a visit to Runde! This island is an incredible destination for birders and wildlife fans. Here’s everything you need to know about visiting puffins on Runde in Norway.
Why Visit the Island of Runde?
People come to Runde from all over to see the puffins that nest on the island’s cliffs. There are apparently 100,000 breeding pairs of puffins here!! It’s one of the best places to see puffins in the southern half of Norway, and one of the most accessible. You can drive here (no boat required) and walk up a hill to the cliffs. As I wasn’t going up into the northern/Arctic part of Norway, Runde was the best chance for seeing puffins. I was not disappointed!
What is the Best Time of Year to See the Puffins on Runde?
Puffins nest in the cliffs on Runde during the spring and summer. The best time to see the puffins is from April to the end of July/beginning of August. They come ashore to nest, lay their egg, and feed their chick (called a puffling) before flying off in August. I’d recommend visiting during the months of May, June, or July to be sure of getting good sightings.
How to Get to Runde
Runde is a 2-hour drive from Ålesund in northwest Norway, or about an 8-hour drive from Oslo. You will need a car to get here, and be aware that some of the roads on Runde are quite narrow, with passing places. You’ll also drive over several single-lane bridges, as many of the islands are connected by land bridges. There is a vehicle ferry between Hareid and Sulesund when driving from Ålesund. If you’re staying further away or in Ålesund, be sure you check the ferry schedule (particularly the last ferry of the evening) so you don’t get stuck overnight!
How to Reach the Puffin Cliffs on Runde
To see the puffins on Runde, you’ll want to park at this car park on Runde. There are toilets in the car park that cost 10 kr (payable by card). The car park is large, but I had read a few reviews that it was tricky to find a spot during peak times. Thankfully I had no issues with this, and there were plenty of spots! From the car park, walk down the road through the campsite, following the signs for the puffin cliffs.
According to my Strava, the walk to the cliffs was 2.94 miles in total, with 220 meters of elevation gain – so, about 1.5 miles each way. The path up is VERY steep – part of the trail is paved and there is a handrail on some of the steeper sections. I highly recommend wearing good shoes or hiking boots, with a good grip, for this hike. It took me 30 minutes to reach the initial set of cliffs, but I was almost running. Plan on 45 minutes to 1 hour to go up – it took me 35 minutes to walk down.
How to See the Puffins on Runde
You won’t be alone at the cliffs! This is a popular place, and there will be other visitors when you go. The best time of day to visit is in the evening, when the puffins are flying back to their burrows after feeding. A lot of the information I found online said to be there between 7:00-8:00pm. But I was there at about 9:00pm, and there was still loads of activity between 9:00-10:00pm! In good weather, it will still be very light during the summer evenings, so you’ll have lots of daylight for hiking and photos. Simply wander along the cliffs and you’ll spot them. The main viewpoint (the busiest part of the cliffs) is popular for a reason. There is a barrier here and puffins nest literally just a few feet away! This was such an incredible experience.
Where to Stay for Visiting Runde
If seeing the puffins in the evening is important to you (which is likely if you’re reading this post, haha!), I highly recommend booking accommodation on Runde or close to it. The closest place to stay is Goksøyr Camping, which is directly at the bottom of the cliffs (the website is in German). They don’t take reservations for vans, motorhomes, caravans, or tents – only for the cabins/rooms or holiday homes. The trail to the cliffs starts here, so it’s certainly convenient.
Runde Environmental Center has a few options for self-catering apartments, which are under a 5-minute drive to the car park. It looks like a single apartment (1 person) starts at 1,650 kr (£128 or $174 USD) and a double (2-person) apartment starts at 1,995 kr (£156 or $212 USD). These would be a fantastic choice, although I can imagine they get booked up in advance during puffin season!
I stayed at a lovely Airbnb in Fosnavåg, which was a 30-minute drive from the cliffs. It was a 2-bedroom apartment, with an allocated parking space, big bathroom, and a full kitchen. It was great to stay somewhere that was only a short drive back later in the evening. Fosnavåg is a pretty town, with a number of restaurants/cafes and a supermarket – I could definitely have spent more time here!
There are several other accommodation options on Runde, these are just a few options plus where I stayed! Wherever you stay, I recommend trying to stay on the islands to avoid any drama with the ferry back to Ålesund or elsewhere.
What to Bring for a Puffin Trip to Runde
The hike and the cliffs on Runde are completely exposed. Try to visit during a good (dry) weather forecast! Bring outdoor clothing – warm layers, a waterproof rain jacket, and rain pants. I highly recommend bringing a hat and gloves in particular. Even in July, it was really windy at the top and my hands were freezing! Bring a dry bag and waterproof phone case in case of wet weather. Sturdy shoes or hiking boots, with good grip, are ideal for the steep path up to the cliffs.
Binoculars will be very useful, and bring a tripod if you’re planning on taking lots of photos. It was very windy, so I had a hard time focusing my camera unless I was leaning against something sturdy. Although there is a lot of daylight during summer in Norway, I’d still bring a head lamp just in case you stay at the cliffs very late. And, of course, bring any snacks and water you might need for the evening.
Planning Your Trip to Norway
The closest airport for visiting Runde is Ålesund airport. I always use Skyscanner to find the best flight deals. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more. Search for tours and activities in Ålesund below!
Watch my Instagram reel of the experience here!
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Seeing the puffins on Runde was a phenomenal experience. I’ve traveled all over the country to visit the best puffin destinations in the UK, and it was so cool to see puffins in Norway. A visit to Runde does require a bit more work – not just driving, but hiking to the cliffs, too. But it’s well worth it. I hope this helps planning your trip to see puffins on Runde in Norway!
Have you visited Runde to see the puffins? What was your experience like?
You might also like my posts:
The Best Places to See Puffins in the UK
Where to See Puffins on Orkney
Puffin Heaven: A Guide to the Farne Islands, Northumberland
Isle of Mull Day Trip: Staffa and Puffin-Watching on Lunga
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