Hornstrandir Traverse

The perfect hiking experience for those seeking the ultimate wilderness experience in Iceland. Breathtaking scenery, Arctic foxes and rich birdlife make for a great journey where you should keep your camera handy all the time.

Join us on a journey through the wild landscapes of Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, where we show you the best of what the area has to offer in a small group of like-minded adventurers.

The whole area is rich in history and wildlife that is nowhere to be seen elsewhere in Iceland. Millions of seabirds soar the cliffs in the summer and Arctic Foxes roam the land and are very curious. While hiking around the area, our guides will tell you stories of the people that lived there until it was abandoned soon after WWII.

We spend the two nights in our very cozy basecamp in the bay where you get your own bed in a big two-person tent. Gourmet dinners and social gatherings take place in our big mess tent where you can share the day’s adventure with your fellow travelers.

You should definitely put Hornstrandir Nature Reserve on your bucket list. All camping gear and food is supplied and you only need to bring a small backpack for your personal belongings.

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

Please meet your guide at our office in Aðalstræti 17 (downtown main street) one hour before departure, where we will answer any questions and make final preparations. We depart from the harbor in Ísafjörður on our passenger ferry.

The ride to Veiðileysufjörður takes between 1 and 2 hours and en-route you can see the coastline of Snæfjallaströnd and the South side of the Hornstrandir peninsula. You should keep a sharp lookout for whales that frequently visit the bay.

We land in the head of the fjord and start to make our way over to Hornvík. The hike takes us up to 520 meters and through Hafnarskarð Pass. There is usually some snow in the pass, but we take it easy and enjoy the panoramic view along the way. From the top of the pass, we see over the whole of Hornvik Bay with its jagged peaks along the cliff’s edge. Truly a wonderful view. We then start to make our descend towards our basecamp where we will enjoy a well-deserved home-cooked meal.

Distance: 12 km.
Altitude gain: 550 m.

Remember that everything you bring you will have to carry on your back for the final day of the hike. Try to pack as light as possible while still bringing everything you need.

Please note that we provide the tents, sleeping bag, mattress and pillow and you will not need to carry any of this with you. However, you will need to bring your own sleeping bag liner and pillow cover.

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).
Binoculars are nice to have for watching wildlife. (Optional).
Sun glasses.
Sunscreen and after sun cream.
Water bottle.
Sleeping bag liner and pillow cover.
Don't forget your camera!