Hornstrandir Traverse
3 Days Starting and ending in Hornstrandir
Visiting: Hornstrandir
Tour operator:
Tour code:
6964
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
Min age:14
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
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.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Veiðileysufjörður
Location: Hornstrandir
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.
Day 2 : Látravík
Location: Hornstrandir
After a hearty breakfast, we start on today’s hike by heading over the Kýrskard Pass and down to the lighthouse in Látravík, where we´ll have lunch and enjoy the rugged scenery. We continue along the cliffs and through Almenningar pass where we stand at the edge of the cliffs. We get a good view over the whole of Hornvík bay as we head down Innstidalur Valley and down to the coast.
There is a good chance to spot Arctic foxes on this hike since there are dens along the cliffs and the parents are busy hunting for their cubs.
The next stop is Drífandi waterfall, where stories of polar bear encounters will be told. Polar bears sometimes swim or drift all the way from east coast of Greenland to these bays and struggle for survival where nothing can be hunted. We’ve now done a good circle and will be rewarded with a delicious dinner and rest our legs in our base camp.
Distance: 15 km.
Altitude gain: 500 m.
Day 3 : Hornvík
Location: Hornstrandir
We make an early start by heading towards the old farm of Horn and shoulder our daypacks for a hike up to Hornbjarg bird cliffs. Our first stop is the very tip of Horn where the view over the whole bay is breathtaking. We continue along the grassy slope next to the cliff’s edge up to Mt. Miðfell, while watching the thousands of birds that nest in the cliffs in the summer, soaring all around us. The last part is up a pretty steep grass slope but nothing to be worried about. You’re in safe hands.
We then drop down to Miðdalur Valley where we get a good look down the sheer face of the cliffs. This is where the hard men in Hornvík bay used to rappel down hemp ropes to collect eggs. Each summer they collected thousands of eggs to survive the long winter months.
We continue to the small lake in Miðdalur where whooper swans reside during the summer and kittiwakes come in hundreds to bathe in the lake each day, an impressive sight. Next, we walk over the ridge of Múli before heading down to the shoreline and back to the farm. We say final goodbye to Hornvik and our friendly foxes when the boat picks us up around 3pm for a boat ride back to Ísafjörður.
Distance: 14 km.
Altitude gain: 450 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's Included
· Boat ride to and from Hornstrandir Nature Reserve
· All food
· Accommodation at our comfortable basecamp
· Professional guide
What's Not Included
· Travel to and from Ísafjorður prior to and after the trip
· Food on the first day until the trip departs
· Personal medical insurance
· Personal equipment and clothing
Requirements
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!
Check out our Q&As
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What types of tours does Borea Adventures offer?
We offer tours related to hiking, biking, kayaking, photography and skiing. These tours are single day experiences and multi day experiences.
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What kind of accommodation is used/included?
Depending on your tour, you will either be staying at one of two bases. In Hornvik, our accommodations include a basecamp mess hall where meals will be provided, as well as a lounging area equipped with a sofa, warm reflex stove and plentiful cups of tea, coffee, or juice. Sleeping arrangements in Hornvik are organised in large tents for two people. These tents come with a cot, sleeping mat, sleeping bag, pillow and woollen blanket. Please bring a sleeping bag liner and pillow case, as these items are not provided.
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Is transportation included in the tour price?
We do not offer transportation to and from Ísafjörður.
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How do I get to Ísafjörður?
Upon your arrival in Iceland, you have the option to either fly or drive to Ísafjörður in the Westfjords. If flying, you arrive in Keflavik International Airport about 40 minutes away from the capital city of Reykjavik and the domestic airport. From the domestic airport in Reykjavik there are 2-3 daily 40 minute flights to Isafjordur. For a smooth transition, you might consider taking the Flybus between the airports and can complete the journey on the same day. Check out Icelandair for schedules and offers. If driving, you can rent a car and drive to Isafjordur. The drive, over mountain passes and through fjords is an adventure itself. The journey spans approximately 440-500 km, depending on your chosen route, and typically takes around 6 hours. We strongly recommend you to spend a few extra days visiting the Westfjords and other parts of Iceland. We’re happy to help you arrange a few days in the area or give you good tips about exciting things to do while in Iceland.
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How do I get to the starting point of the tour?
Our office is located at Aðalstræti 17, Isafjordur and we start our multi-day hiking trips from this location. The Meeting point for our kayaking and biking trips, is at Mávagarður C close to the Eastern harbour. Across the street is our Service Center (white shipping container) where the meeting point for day trips and boat rides are.
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How do you ensure the safety of participants?
All of our guides undergo thorough training to effectively manage emergency situations. They are equipped to safely evacuate individuals and maintain communication with emergency first responders, ensuring a swift and coordinated response to any unforeseen circumstances.
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Can you arrange airport transfers?
There is a municipal shuttle service from Isafjordur Airport into the central square that operates according to the plane schedule. A seat in the shuttle cost 1,000kr.
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Can you accommodate special dietary needs?
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.
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Free Date Changes
Borea Adventures allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 60 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Borea Adventures allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform borea adventures, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Borea Adventures requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of borea adventures charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.