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:
Not included:
Difficulty: Challenging.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
Rights & Acknowledgments
Partners
Skútusiglingar ehf | Aðalstræti 17 | 400 Ísafjörður | Kt. 530306-1510 | VAT Number: 110291
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