Guided 10-Hour Hiking Tour in the Westfjords through the Hornstrandir with Transfer from Isafjordur

Visit Iceland’s most remote area with this day tour to the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve in the Westfjords. This incredible excursion is perfect for Westfjords visitors eager to see the nature reserve on a guided hike and enjoy a tasty Icelandic dinner.

The fun 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.

You’ll meet the expert local guide leading the tour and the other participants. This trip is a small-group excursion with a maximum of 10 guests, giving you a more personal experience and plenty of opportunities to ask questions.

With everyone ready, your group will walk to the harbor and board a speedboat to take you across the Isafjardardjup fjord and into the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve. The boat ride takes about an hour and offers stunning panoramas of the surrounding seas and ancient mountains. 

Seals, whales, and dolphins live in these waters, and you could be lucky enough to spot some during your ride through the bay. The Westfjords region is also home to a large population of puffins and Arctic terns, so it’s a fantastic destination for keen birdwatchers.

Upon reaching the coast at Hornstrandir, your group will disembark the boat and start your hike. Exploring the reserve, you’ll walk along old trails, over rolling hills, and through lush green nature. 

The Hornstrandir Nature Reserve is one of Iceland’s most remote areas. It’s had no permanent residents since the 1950s and is only reachable by boat, as no roads lead into or out of it. It consists of about 220 square miles (580 square kilometers) of tundra, cliffs, and dramatic fields. It’s home to around 260 species of plants and various animals — a dream come true for nature lovers and keen hikers.

You’ll walk up a valley hill to an elevation of around 1500 feet (about 460 meters). After the gentle climb, you’ll stop by a stream for a break and enjoy your packed lunch as you soak in the views. 

In the afternoon, you’ll descend the Kviadalur valley to an old farmhouse at Kviar, where you can relax and enjoy your surroundings. Your guide will prepare a delicious fish soup dinner for your group, serving it with fresh bread and other snacks. Eating a meal together is a fantastic way to bond with your group, and your guide can tell you more about life in the Westfjords.

A family of Arctic foxes has lived behind the farmhouse for a few years, and you might see the cubs if they come to say hello. Since there are no residents in this area, the wildlife is not afraid of people and is usually relatively tame. 

After dinner, you’ll head back to the shore, where the boat will be waiting to take you back across the bay to Isafjordur. 

Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime visit to the remote Hornstrandir Nature Reserve. Check availability now by choosing a date.