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Hornbjargsviti

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Bucket list day in Hornvík

A journey through breathtaking landscapes – A bucket list day in Hornvík

Embark on an unforgettable hike through Hornstrandir, one of Iceland’s most secluded and awe-inspiring nature reserves. Discover the unspoiled beauty of this wilderness as you explore the towering Hornbjarg bird cliffs, home to countless seabirds, and soak in the breathtaking views of Hornvík Bay. Whether you’re a passionate hiker or a lover of nature, this adventure offers a chance to immerse yourself in the untouched majesty of Iceland’s wild North.

If you only have one day to spend in Hornstrandir, deciding where to go can be a challenge. With natural beauty in every direction, it’s not easy to choose. However, Hornvík Bay stands out as a top choice for many visitors—and it’s our top recommendation for anyone asking, “What’s the best place to explore in a day?”. If you have more time, check out our Heights and Sights or Traverse tours!

Hornvík provides an unparalleled experience, making it a must-visit for those with limited time in this extraordinary nature reserve. After a full day of adventure, unwind on the scenic boat ride back to town, reflecting on your journey.

Hornvík is more than just a destination—it’s an opportunity to reconnect with nature, relax in an untouched setting, and experience Iceland’s unparalleled beauty in a way that few ever do. Live in the present and book your bucket list day out with us!

Contents of this tour

Tour overview

  • 1 day
  • Min age: 12 years
  • Total Distance: 6 km
  • Group Size: 4-8

Description

Hornvík boasts extraordinary wildlife, with over six million birds nesting on its cliffs, Arctic foxes so at ease that you can observe them up close, and a variety of waders that make the bay their habitat.

The untouched beauty of this landscape is so stunning that it’s bound to leave a lasting impression and transform your perspective.

If this experience intrigues you, don’t hesitate to send us an email—we’d love to hear from you!

Meeting point: Our Service Center (white container), Ísafjörður Harbour.

Departure: 09:00 AM. Be there half an hour before departure time.

Minimum age: 12 years.

Group size: We need a minimum number of 2 participants to operate the tour. Maximum group size is 10, but most of our tours are between 4–8 people.

Included:

  • Boat ride to and from Hornstrandir Nature Reserve
  • Professional guide

Not included:

  • Travel to and from Ísafjörður prior to and after the trip
  • Food and snacks
  • Personal medical insurance
  • Personal equipment and clothing

Difficulty: Challenging.

Photos

Bucket list day in Hornvík
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Itinerary

We meet at our Service Center (a white container) half an hour before departure for a briefing. During this time, we’ll answer any questions and make final preparations. Departure is at 9 a.m. from the harbor in Ísafjörður aboard our passenger ferry.

The ride to Hornvík Bay takes between 2 and 3 hours. En route, you’ll see the entire coastline and the bays carved into Hornstrandir. These bays were once inhabited by our ancestors, who harvested the land and fished the waters. The ferry will drop us off near the old farm of Horn, and we’ll begin circumnavigating the edge of the magnificent Hornbjarg bird cliffs.

During the hike, you’ll experience the breathtaking view from the 400-meter cliffs (if you dare) and see kittiwakes bathing in the lake below, thousands of birds soaring along the edge, Arctic foxes searching for food on the beach, and the stunning, isolated scenery. We’ll then start our descent toward the pick-up location for the ferry back to Ísafjörður.

Distance: 6 km
Altitude gain: 489 m

This itinerary is a guide only and is subject to change depending on the weather, sea conditions, and the ability of the group.

What to bring

Remember that everything you bring must be carried on your back for the entire hike. Try to pack as lightly as possible while still bringing everything you need.

  • Warm outdoor clothing including hiking pants and warm upper layers. Please avoid cotton as it keeps you cold when wet and takes a very long time to dry.
  • Waterproof jacket and pants.
  • Hiking boots. Please use waterproof high-top hiking boots, which provide ankle support.
  • Hat and gloves.
  • Small backpack.
  • Personal medical kit i.e. band aids, throat lozenges, lip salves, seasickness tablets etc. Don’t forget your personal medication, which you may need (e.g. Asthma inhaler, even if you don’t always need it).
  • Sun glasses.
  • Sunscreen and after sun cream.
  • Binoculars are nice to have for watching wildlife. (Optional).
  • Water bottle.
  • Snacks
  • Don’t forget your camera!

FAQ

The trails are varied so expect partly muddy trails, a staircase of footholds, seaweed on the coast. The ascent will be from sea level up to 489m.
Sea conditions can be choppy up, but our boats are purpose built to cut through waves. If in doubt, travel with motion sickness medicine or ginger pastilles. To get on and off the coast, there will be a tendering service using our motorised inflatable boat
There are compost toilets and streams for replenishing our water bottles directly from the earth. There are no shops so we you need everything for your day out when you arrive in the morning!

Map

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