Far from roads and phone signals, Hornstrandir Nature Reserve in the Westfjords is where Iceland truly slows down. This full-day adventure brings you to Hesteyri, a village now surrounded by nothing but nature. Walk quiet trails with a guide who knows the land, hear stories of past lives in the Westfjords, and keep an eye out for seals, seabirds, and maybe even the rare Arctic fox. With rugged beauty all around, this is Iceland at its most peaceful.
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This tour brings you deep into Iceland’s wild Westfjords, where the boat is the only way in—and Hesteyri greets you with silence, sea air, and a view that hasn’t changed in decades. Leave the roads behind and set out across the fjords toward one of Iceland’s wildest corners!
The day begins with a boat ride from Ísafjörður, crossing peaceful waters surrounded by dramatic mountains and hidden valleys. As you reach the shores of Hornstrandir, the modern world fades—no roads, no phone signal, just the sound of seabirds and the wind in the grass.
Your destination is the quiet village of Hesteyri, once a thriving community, now a place where nature has reclaimed the land. With your guide leading the way, you’ll walk through grassy meadows and along the old paths once used by the locals.
With a guide who knows the land, you may hike along quiet coastal trails, learn about the people who once lived here, and explore the surrounding hills and beaches. This area is home to Arctic foxes (though sightings are not guaranteed), and the local population is known to be curious and unbothered by humans—especially in summer, when playful cubs may be out exploring.
There’s time to wander at your pace—join a short hike along the fjord, photograph the landscape, or just sit outside the Doctor’s House, breathe in some of the cleanest air in Iceland, and observe the nature.
In the afternoon, we gather in the historic Doctor’s House for a traditional soup meal, followed by homemade Icelandic pancakes (timing may vary depending on conditions). After dinner, the boat picks us up and we head back to Ísafjörður, usually arriving around 7–8 PM.
We’d love to say yes, but foxes don’t follow schedules. They’re wild animals, and sightings are never guaranteed. That said, Hesteyri is one of the best spots to look. There are known den sites not far from the old farmhouse, and we usually visit those. Summer is your best bet as cubs start venturing out from mid-June. The guides know the land and habits well and will quietly lead the way. Even if the foxes stay hidden, the day is still a beautiful adventure in one of Iceland’s wildest and most peaceful places.
Yes, definitely. This is a calm, low-stress day out in pure Icelandic nature with no cars, no screens, no rush. Kids love the boat ride and the wide-open space to explore. It’s easy to adjust the pace, whether your family wants to hike a bit or just relax outside the Doctor’s House and soak up the surroundings.
You can fly from Reykjavík’s domestic airport, there are usually 2–3 daily flights and it takes around 40 minutes. If you prefer driving, the journey takes 5–6 hours (about 440–500 km) depending on the route. The roads are paved and scenic, with mountain passes, fjords, and even a newly opened tunnel that shortens the route across the Westfjords. It’s a trip in itself.