Route in Hornstrandir: Section 1

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Commonly Backpacked · Geological Significance · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

You can take a boat from Ísafjörður to Hornstrandir. There are two boat operators:
westtours.is/ or boreaadventures.com/

I recommend doing hikes in Hornstrandir with a guide.

Take a GPS device and a compass with you. Buy an official map of the peninsula at the tourist office in Ísafjörður. Mobile data was not available.

Water is available everywhere in the nature reserve. There are no grocery stores. Buy all your food before you take the boat to Hornstrandir.

Share your hiking plan with the local ranger for tips before you start.

You'll pass through snowfields, even in high summer. Without waterproof hiking shoes, you'll get wet feet.

I did my hike in the summer; there was always daylight! No need for a torch, but a sleep mask is an advantage.

Share your travel plan with safetravel.is/travel-plan

Wild Camping is prohibited. You can pitch your tent at the official places.

We took a boat from Ísafjörður to Hesteyri. After a short conversation with the ranger, we took the most challenging trail through the nature preserve.

At the start, the trail was in good condition and visible. We hiked around the mountain Kagrafell where we passed many snowfields, and the path changed to steep and stony.

Once we gained over 700m altitude, the trail was almost flat until we could see the fjord Fljótsvatn. Close to the fjord is an official camping ground.

It is possible to spot the arctic fox and also puffins among the nature reserve.