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Ísafjörður

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Hornbjargsviti

Solar Eclipse Hike

Hike along Grænahlíð’s towering cliffs, where birds soar and history lingers. Translating to “Green Cliffs,” this stunning route offers a perfect mix of untouched nature and fascinating history.

Explore remains of a WWII British radar station, spot diverse Icelandic birdlife, and walk along some of Iceland’s most breathtaking cliffs. The journey culminates in finding the perfect vantage point to witness the solar eclipse, making this adventure truly unforgettable.

Contents of this tour

Tour overview

Description

Our journey begins on the sandy shores of Aðalvík, once a safe haven for fishing trawlers braving the Atlantic storms. We’ll climb through a cirque valley, following the steep WWII funicular tracks up to Grænahlíð’s summit. This challenging ascent is rewarded with breathtaking views over Hornstrandir and the historic remains of Darri, the UK Base.

As we descend along the sheer cliffs, majestic birdlife soars around us, and on clear days, we’ll see across Ísafjarðardjúp bay and the Jökulfirðir glacial fjords. Along the way, we’ll pause at a prime vantage point to experience the solar eclipse, watching as the landscape transforms under this rare celestial event. And don’t forget to keep an eye out for the elusive Arctic fox!

Please drop us an email if you’re interested!

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

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

Minimum age: 16 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 4–6 people.

Trip Difficulty:  Challenging.

Duration of trip: 11 hours.

Included:

  • Boat ride to and from Hornstrandir Nature Reserve
  • Professional guide
  • Solar eclipse safety goggles

Not included:

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

 

Photos

Itinerary

We meet at our Service Center  with a trip briefing before we set sail from Ísafjörður at 9 AM. A scenic boat ride takes us through dramatic fjords and along towering cliffs before reaching Aðalvík Bay, where we glimpse the remains of Látrar, a once-thriving fishing village.

From here, we follow an old jeep track leading up the mountain toward the WWII British radar station. As we ascend, we pass through lush valleys, berry-covered slopes, and trickling streams, enjoying breathtaking views along the way. At the summit, we explore the historic base, including its barracks, generator ruins, and an Oerlikon 20mm cannon turret, once used to monitor enemy activity in Icelandic waters.

From this high vantage point, we peer over the edge of the 500m cliffs, where waves crash against the rocks far below, while Fulmars, Guillemots, Gulls, and Puffins glide effortlessly in the coastal updrafts.

We then follow the ridge trail, gradually descending toward Teistuvatn Lake, a serene spot home to Whooper Swans and Kittiwakes. Here, we’ll pause to experience the solar eclipse, watching as the sky darkens over the tranquil waters and surrounding wilderness.

Our adventure concludes at Slétta, a scenic spot with a sandy beach and lighthouse, where our boat awaits. Keep an eye out for seals and possibly whales as we cruise back to Ísafjörður.

 

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

What to bring

  • Warm outdoor clothing. 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.
  • Sun glasses.
  • Sunscreen and after sun cream.
  • Small backpack.
  • Lunch for the day. One or two sandwiches and your favourite snacks.
  • Water bottle.
  • Don’t forget your camera!

FAQ

The hike is approximately 15km and there are no trails. The ground is mostly soft and easy going. However, there is some rough terrain including loose rock. We start at sea level and the highest point is approximately 500m, so we gain around 500m in elevation. If you are an active hiker then you will have no trouble on this hike.
We often see Arctic Foxes on this tour. Because hunting is banned in Hornstrandir, there 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.
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.

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