Ísafjörður: 4-Day Holiday Package Hornstrandir Walk in the Wild

This tour is a more secluded and true off-the-beaten-path tour. The east coast of Hornstrandir gets only a dozen hikers per year. Once we start the tour, we don't expect to see anyone until the end of Day 3, when we reach the lighthouse in Látravík Bay. This is the perfect place to enjoy the wild Icelandic beauty and the tranquil sound of waves on rocks.

This tour is designed to be fully self-supported and will require a bit more experience from the guests. Maybe you have been on a Traverse or a Lost Fjords tour with us in the past, and are looking for a new experience. Unlike our other tours, there are fewer possibilities to alter the route once the tour has started. This includes changes due to borderline weather conditions. Once the tour starts, it's difficult to change routes.

The path itself is not particularly difficult. However, it is not a well-maintained trail like you may be used to. This is a wilderness area, and there are no dedicated trail teams maintaining or cutting new trails. This tour also requires good timing and the ability to cross many rivers. This level of maintenance just adds to the natural beauty and ruggedness of Hornstrandir Nature Reserve.

Day 1: Pre departure / Furufjörður

The pre-departure meeting is held at the Borea Adventures, Gear Storage and Meeting Point. We ask that all guests be timely. The meeting is at 17:00 GMT the day before departure. This is an opportunity to meet your guide and fellow hikers in person before the start of the tour, ask any last-minute questions, and go over your gear one more time.

The boat ride into Jokullfjordur is magnificent. There is abundant wildlife to see from the boat, dramatic seaside cliffs, old farmsteads that dot the coastline, and the star of the show, Drangajokull. We won’t be going onto the glacier on this tour, but we will have beautiful views of it all day long.

The hike from Kjos to Furufjordur is relatively easy. The group gets dropped off near Kjos at the opening of Hrafnfjordur and walks into the fjord following the coastline. The pass over to Furufjordur is beautiful. The group will follow a large river up a valley full of rock formations, cross over a picturesque arched bridge, pass by a gorgeous mountain lake, and take in the views of Drangajokull as we walk along the southern boundary of the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve. We end Day 1 at the campsite in Furufjordur. It is a nice little campground next to the sea with a view of the glacier.

Day 2: Smiðjuvík

Our second day starts with a relaxed breakfast while you wait for the tide to go out. The trail begins with a rocky beach that can only be passed at low tide. After the rock beach, the group is rewarded with an iconic seastack in the middle of a small cove! This is a great spot to rest the ankles before walking around to Bolungarvik and climbing up to Gungumannaskard. This pass (360 m) is the highest elevation on the tour. It is a mellow ascent and descent. The next leg of the day’s hike is to cross the meadow in Bardsvik, climb over Smidjuvikurhals, and arrive at the campsite in Smidjavik.

Day 3: Hornbjargsviti

After packing down the camp, you make your way toward Hornbjargsviti, a charming lighthouse on the edge of a cliff. On the walk, you will pass Drifandi, a huge waterfall that cascades over the cliffside and into the sea. With any luck, there will be someone at the lighthouse when you arrive, and you can get some dinner there. This is, of course, not guaranteed, and we will plan accordingly. The lighthouse is operated by Ferðafélags Íslands, and has a short operation season in the area. For the first time on the tour, there is also a little bit of luxury, flushing toilets instead of dry toilets, and a place to cook meals inside. There is an old barn available for campers to use. The group will stay near the lighthouse for the night and listen to the waves crash on the cliffs below.

Day 4: Hornvík

We wake up to a bit more luxury (if we are lucky), Fresh coffee and pancakes at the lighthouse, before we hit the trail. If not, that’s ok too. We always make the best of the situation and plan ahead. After breakfast, we start hiking up to Kyrskard and to the top of Innstidalur. Again, this is a mellow ascent, and once the group gets to the pass, they are rewarded with a spectacular view looking along the Hornbjarg cliffs and to the south side of the mountain Kalfatindur. There are a few options once the group gets here, but the plan is to stay up high and walk along the cliffs instead of dropping down into Innstidalur. On this route, the group will walk under the south side of Kalfatindur and onto the small plateau above the lake in Middalur. This is an excellent spot to take a break before walking down to the lake and back up to the cliffs on the north side of Kalfatindur. From there, the hike continues over Midfell and to the Horn before getting picked up at 16:00 by the boat. The sail back to Isafjordur takes about three hours.

What do I need to bring?

Remember that everything you bring you will have to carry on your back for the entire hike. Try to pack as light as possible while still bringing everything you need. Please note that we provide the tents. 

We use two person tents and therefore you are expected to share with one other person. If you would like a tent to yourself then you can rent a 1 person tent. Please select this option during the booking process. 

• 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. 

• Backpack. It needs to be around 50-60L. Big enough to carry all of your belongings, including your sleeping bag and your share of the food.

• Sleeping bag rated to at least 0°C. Down is best since it packs smaller than synthetic. 

• Sleeping mattress. A thin inflatable one is best as it easily fits inside the 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). 

• Sun glasses. 

• Sunscreen and after sun cream. 

• Binoculars are nice to have for watching wildlife. (Optional). 

• Water bottle. 

• Don't forget your camera!