Description
Summary
Description
Explore one of Iceland’s most remote and untouched frontiers on this guided day tour to the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve in the Westfjords. Few travelers ever venture into this wilderness, making it a rare opportunity to experience dramatic cliffs, lush valleys, and wildlife far from the usual tourist routes. Led by an expert local guide, you’ll discover the reserve’s raw beauty on foot while learning about its history and unique ecosystems.
This 10-hour tour in Iceland begins at the meeting point in Isafjordur, the largest town in the Westfjords. Please arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time to ensure you have time to check in. Here, you’ll meet the guide leading the hike and the other participants. With a maximum of 10 guests, this is a small-group experience that ensures a personal atmosphere and plenty of chances to ask questions.
From Isafjordur, you’ll walk to the harbor and board a boat across the Isafjardardjup Fjord. The ride takes about an hour and offers sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and sea. Keep your eyes peeled for seals, whales, and dolphins in the water, as well as puffins and Arctic terns. During the summer months, Hornstrandir and its surrounding fjords are home to a thriving wildlife.
Once ashore in Veiðileysufjörður fjord, your sightseeing and hiking in Hornstrandir begin. This is a moderate to challenging yet rewarding trek that includes an ascent of around 1,500 feet (460 meters), where you'll enjoy panoramic views of the various mountain passes of the Hornstrandir as well as Drangajokull glacier. Good fitness and sturdy footwear with ankle support are recommended.
There have been no permanent residents in Hornstrandir since the early 1950s, and so it’s very raw and untouched. This tour follows historic pastoral cairns, a trail that leads you across green valleys and over rugged hillsides, showcasing why Hornstrandir is one of the most spectacular corners of Iceland.
At midday, you’ll pause by a mountain stream for a well-deserved break. Here you can rest, eat your packed lunch, and take in panoramic views across the untouched landscape. In the afternoon, the trail descends into Kviadalur Valley, leading to the historic farmhouse at Kviar.
There, your guide will serve warm soup while you relax and enjoy the quiet surroundings. This stop also offers the chance to spot Arctic foxes, which are known to live in the area and are often unafraid of people due to the absence of permanent residents. After this memorable experience, you’ll return to the coast, where the boat will be waiting to carry you back across the fjord to Isafjordur.
Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime hiking adventure in the remote Hornstrandir nature reserve. Check availability now by choosing a date.
