rain

4°C

Ísafjörður

rain

2°C

Hornbjargsviti

EN / IS
Popular

Hornstrandir Traverse

Traverse this world-renowned hiking destination on a breathtaking 3-day tour filled with stunning views and delicious food!

Embark on an unforgettable journey through the wild landscapes of the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve.

With a small group of like-minded adventurers, we’ll show you the very best this incredible area has to offer.

Watch Arctic foxes emerge from their dens in search of food, marvel at the midnight sun casting its golden glow over Hornvík Bay, and savor the cozy atmosphere of our basecamp.

Our Hornstrandir Traverse itinerary allows ample time to fully immerse yourself in the tranquility of this wondrous place.

We highly recommend extending your visit beyond a day trip, as the reserve transforms in magical ways during the evenings.

Gather around the table with a warm cup of tea and connect with your fellow travelers as you soak in the charm of this remote paradise. 

UKclaire___12
UKclaire___12
We did the 3 days, 2 nights Hornstrandir Traverse trip with Nicole as our guide. What a great trip! The walks were all beautiful, a good length and taken at a pace that slowed plenty of time for photos and taking in the views. The camp was comfortable with good tents with camp beds, and a central eating tent. Nicole was a star- she looked after us really well cooking great meals and doing an excellent job guiding. We were very lucky with the weather on the second day and got to see the horn and surrounding cliffs in stunning form in the sun. We also saw plenty of arctic foxes with their cubs. Highly recommended trip.

Contents of this tour

Tour overview

  • 3 days
  • Min age: 16 years
  • Accommodation
  • Total Distance: 39km
  • Group Size: 2-10

Description

The whole area is rich in history and wildlife that can’t be found anywhere else in Iceland. Millions of seabirds soar over the cliffs in the summer, and Arctic foxes roam the land, often showing great curiosity. While hiking around the area, our guides will share stories of the people who lived there until the settlement was abandoned shortly after WWII.

We will spend two nights at our cosy base camp in the bay, where you’ll have your own cot in a spacious two-person tent. Gourmet dinners and social gatherings take place in our large mess tent, where you can share the day’s adventures with your fellow travellers.

You should definitely add Hornstrandir Nature Reserve to your bucket list. All camping gear and food are provided, and you only need to bring a small backpack for your personal belongings.

Please drop us an email if you’re interested!

Included:

  • Boat ride to and from Hornstrandir Nature Reserve
  • All food
  • Accommodation at our comfortable basecamp
  • Professional guide

Not included:

  • Travel to and from Ísafjörður before and after the trip
  • Food on the first day until the trip departs
  • Personal medical insurance
  • Personal equipment and clothing

Difficulty: Challenging.

Photos

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Itinerary

DAY 1
Please meet your guide at our office at Aðalstræti 17 (downtown main street) one hour before departure. Here, we will answer any questions and finalise preparations. We depart from the harbour in Ísafjörður on a passenger ferry.

The ride to Veiðileysufjörður takes between 1 and 2 hours. Along the way, you can admire the coastline of Snæfjallaströnd and the southern side of the Hornstrandir peninsula. Keep an eye out for whales, which frequently visit the bay.

We will land at the head of the fjord and begin our hike to Hornvík. The trail ascends to 520 meters through Hafnarskarð Pass. Snow is often present in the pass, but we will take it slow and enjoy the stunning panoramic views along the way.

From the top of the pass, you’ll see the entirety of Hornvík Bay, framed by jagged peaks along the cliffs’ edge—a truly breathtaking view. We will then descend to our base camp, where a well-deserved, home-cooked meal awaits us.

  • Distance: 12 km
  • Altitude gain: 550 m

DAY 2
After a hearty breakfast, we will set out on today’s hike, heading over the Kýrskard Pass and descending to the lighthouse in Látravík. Here, we’ll pause for lunch while soaking in the rugged scenery.

The trail continues along the cliffs, passing through Almenningar Pass, where we’ll stand at the edge of the cliffs and enjoy expansive views of Hornvík Bay. We’ll then descend through Innstidalur Valley, leading to the coast.

This hike offers a good chance to spot Arctic foxes, as there are dens along the cliffs. Parents are often busy hunting for their cubs at this time of year.

Our next stop is Drífandi Waterfall, where we’ll hear tales of polar bear encounters. Occasionally, polar bears swim or drift from Greenland to these bays, struggling to survive in an unfamiliar landscape.

After completing this scenic loop, we’ll return to our base camp for a delicious dinner and some well-earned rest.

  • Distance: 15 km
  • Altitude gain: 500 m

 

DAY 3
We will start early, heading towards the old farm at Horn. From here, we’ll shoulder our day packs and hike up to the Hornbjarg bird cliffs. The first stop is at the tip of Horn, where the view over the bay is simply breathtaking.

The trail continues along grassy slopes near the cliffs’ edge, leading to Mt. Miðfell. Along the way, you’ll witness thousands of birds nesting in the cliffs during summer, soaring all around us. The final ascent involves a steep grassy slope, but you are in safe hands with your guide.

We’ll descend into Miðdalur Valley, where the sheer face of the cliffs comes into view. This area has a rich history—locals once rappelled down these cliffs using hemp ropes to collect eggs, a vital resource for surviving the harsh winters.

Next, we’ll visit the small lake in Miðdalur, where whooper swans reside during summer. Hundreds of kittiwakes also gather here daily to bathe, creating a remarkable sight.

From there, we’ll traverse the ridge of Múli before descending to the shoreline and returning to the farm. We will bid farewell to Hornvík and its friendly foxes when the boat arrives around 4 p.m. for our return trip to Ísafjörður.

  • Distance: 14 km
  • Altitude gain: 450 m
  • Estimated return time: Between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Note:
This itinerary serves as a guide and is subject to change based on weather, sea conditions, and the group’s abilities. The tour may operate in reverse order to accommodate sea conditions. We will do our utmost to ensure the tour departs as planned.

What to bring

Remember: Everything you bring, you will need to carry on your back for one day. Pack as light as possible while ensuring you have everything you need.

We will provide tents, sleeping bags, mattresses, and pillows, so you won’t need to carry these items. However, you will need to bring your own sleeping bag liner and pillow cover.

To maintain the quality of the experience, we kindly ask for your assistance during your stay. Tasks like drying a few dishes or tidying your tent before departure help build camaraderie and keep the positive energy flowing. Let’s work together to leave no trace!

Checklist:

  • Warm outdoor clothing, including hiking pants and warm upper layers. Avoid cotton, as it retains moisture when wet and takes a long time to dry.
  • Waterproof jacket and pants.
  • Hiking boots. Choose waterproof, high-top hiking boots with ankle support.
  • Thin neoprene socks (optional but great for crossing rivers—they keep your toes warm). Light water shoes are also suitable.
  • Light towel.
  • Hat and gloves.
  • Small backpack (35–45 liters recommended).
  • Hiking poles (optional). Useful if your balance isn’t perfect or you’re not accustomed to hiking on rocky terrain.
  • Personal medical kit, including band-aids, throat lozenges, lip balm, seasickness tablets, and any personal medications (e.g., an asthma inhaler, even if you don’t typically need it).
  • Sunglasses.
  • Sunscreen and after-sun cream.
  • Binoculars (optional but nice for wildlife spotting).
  • Water bottle.
  • Sleeping bag liner and pillow cover.
  • Don’t forget your camera!

FAQ

The hike is approximately 35km in total and we hike trails most of the way, however, there are rough sections of the trail, including loose rocks and compact snow. If you are an active and regular hiker, especially if you’re used to some elevation, then you will have no trouble on this hike. It is always best to do some practice hikes in your local area anyway!
Of course, we realise that we’re not all made the same and have different needs and desires. We try our best to cater to your needs. Please let us know ahead of time if you have any requirements so that we can plan the food accordingly. You can do that during the booking process.
Yes, we do. But it’s only a very slow flowing river with sand floor. The water goes up to your knee and it’s not difficult at all. It’s cold, so we recommend wearing something like thin neoprene socks or water shoes.
We often see Arctic Foxes on this tour. Because hunting is banned in Hornstrandir, foxes are not timid around humans and therefore we can sometimes get very close. However, the foxes are still very much a wild animal, so we make no guarantees that we will see them.
Yes, that’s right. All camping gear will be waiting for you in Hornvík. Please bring your own sleeping bag liner and pillow cover though. Please note that you will have to carry all your personal items on the last day. So, try to pack light.
The main problem that we’ve had to deal with is guests not having appropriate boots. High top ankle boots give much better support and keep you dryer than hiking ‘shoes’. We hike through a mixture of rough terrain including wet grass, loose rock, snow, streams and sand. Therefore, we need supportive boots to help prevent ankle injuries and waterproof boots to keep you warm and dry. We recommend leather boots or nylon versions with Gore Tex. There are many good manufacturers such as Scarpa, La Sportiva, Mammut, Merrell, and Meindl.
You arrive in Keflavik International Airport about 40 minutes away from the capital city of Reykjavik. From the domestic airport in Reykjavik there are 2-3 daily 40 minute flights to Isafjordur. You can take the Fly-Bus between the airports and most of the time you can continue same day. Check out Air Iceland Connect for schedules and special offers. You can also rent a car and drive to Isafjordur. The drive, over mountain passes and through fjords is an adventure itself. It’s about 440-500 km depending on which route you take. A new road via Arnkötludalur opened in 2009 which completes the asphalted pathway the whole way, and kills the old myth of bad roads in the Westfjords! The drive will normally take you 5-6 hours. A new tunnel opened in September 2020 under the infamous mountain pass between the fjords of Arnarfjörður and Dýrafjörður. That tunnel makes it much easier to travel through the Westfjords all year round and shortens the route up the West coast. For accommodation in Reykjavik there are many options of hotels and guesthouses that we can book for groups. Please ask us for individual bookings. We strongly recommend you to spend a few extra days visiting the West Fjords and other parts of Iceland. We’re happy to help you arranging few days in the area or give you good tips about exciting things to do while in Iceland.

Map

We did the 3 days, 2 nights Hornstrandir Traverse trip with Nicole as our guide. What a great trip! The walks were all beautiful, a good length and taken at a pace that slowed plenty of time for photos and taking in the views. The camp was comfortable with good tents with camp beds, and a central eating tent. Nicole was a star- she looked after us really well cooking great meals and doing an excellent job guiding. We were very lucky with the weather on the second day and got to see the horn and surrounding cliffs in stunning form in the sun. We also saw plenty of arctic foxes with their cubs. Highly recommended trip.

UKclaire___12 via Tripadvisor 2024

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