Breathtaking 11-Hour Hiking Tour of Hornstrandir Nature Reserve From Isafjordur

Get ready for the hiking tour of a lifetime with a full-day exploration of the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve in the Westfjords. Active adventurers who want to see arctic foxes and experience birdwatching in Iceland should book this small-group tour from Isafjordur today. 

The Hornstrandir Nature Reserve is a stone's throw from the Arctic Circle and an excellent area for viewing wildlife in Iceland. This remote Westfjords tour is a fantastic all-day experience full of natural beauty. It's one of the best places to go hiking in Iceland, so avid trekkers will not want to miss it.

You'll meet at the tour operator's office in downtown Isafjordur half an hour before departure, where the group can ask questions and prepare to set off. At 09:00, the tour leaves from the Isafjordur harbor on a comfortable passenger boat, ready to discover the incredible nature of Iceland. 

Before starting the hike, you'll experience a one-hour boat tour across deep blue fjords. You might see seals, whales, or dolphins and can marvel at the beautiful views of towering cliffs along your journey.

The first section of this full-day hike follows a jeep track from the harbor at Adalvik bay into the mountains. You'll then begin your trek surrounded by amazing vistas.

Next, you'll see the remains of a British radar station from WWII, including generator, warehouse, and barracks ruins. Aside from this fascinating historical site, keep an eye out for the ever-elusive arctic foxes that call this area home. 

Arctic foxes are wild creatures, so there is no guarantee that you'll spot one, but it's highly likely. The foxes are friendly and known to approach people they encounter. 

The boat leaves from at Sletta, a sandy beach with a lighthouse. The nature here is unspoiled, and it's the perfect spot to end your Hornstrandir tour. Your hike finishes with a gradual walk from Teistuvatn lake, a magnificent area to enjoy birdwatching in Iceland.

The walk from the lake gradually descends along the Grandahl cliffs, which for many years provided fishing trawlers with cover while storms raged in the Atlantic. Incredible vistas of the Isafjardardjup bay and the Jokulfirdir glacial fjords await on a clear day.

Before returning to the boat, check out the swans and seabirds on the pristine lake water. Meander across the cliff tops over grassy, rocky terrain, to then peer over the edge and watch the waves crashing against the rocks. You'll likely see several bird species in this area, such as puffins, fulmars, gulls, and guillemots.

You'll feel exhilarated from your incredible achievement of traversing 9.3 miles (15 kilometers) with a 1640-foot (500-meter) elevation change.

Experienced hikers keen to see arctic foxes in Iceland and abundant birdlife amid spectacular natural beauty will love this 11-hour wilderness trek in the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, departing from Isafjordur. Check availability now by choosing a date.