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Hike from Hornvik to Veidileysufjordur in Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, a place where no humans have lived since the 1950s and where Arctic foxes roam free.
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Got 2 days to spare in Iceland? This 2-day hike from Hornvik Bay to Veidileysufjordur might be just the meditation you need. Nature here is as feral as it gets, with abundant wildlife and unmatched views. Explore Hornvik Heights, visit huge bird colonies, seek out Arctic foxes, and hike across the vast wildflower meadows of Hornstrandir Nature Reserve during the day. At night, camp in a well-equipped tent with a kitchen while surrounded by nature.
Remember that you will have to carry all your belongings with you throughout the hike, so pack only the essentials. We will provide tents to sleep in, a sleeping bag, mattress, pillow, and all necessary cookware.
Please be at “Borea Adventures” office building on Aðalstræti 17, Isafjordur at 8 a.m. on the day of the tour.
Our journey to the wilderness of Hornstrandir Nature Reserve will begin when we meet at our headquarters, located on Aðalstræti 17 in Isafjordur. Your guide will provide you with a detailed overview of the tour and answer all your questions. We’ll board our boat and set off to the peninsula at 9 a.m.
The boat ride to Hornvik Bay will take approximately 2-3 hours and take you along the shores of Iceland’s western fjords. The scenery comprises stunning towering fjords covered in green moss, rocky and rough coastline, and local flora and fauna. There’s a high chance we’ll see a whale waving its tail or an abundance of sea birds nesting on the cliffs along the coast.
The boat will drop us off at Hornvik Bay near an old farm in Horn. Hornstrandir Nature Reserve has been uninhabited since the 1950s and the whole area is teeming with birds, Arctic foxes, and meadows of wildflowers. As soon as you step off the boat, you’ll find yourself at the edge of the world where nature is untouched. From the bay, we’ll follow the path that winds along the Hornbjarg Cliffs. The path gradually ascends and is easy to hike.
The Hornbjarg Cliffs are among the most famous bird cliffs in Iceland. The cliffs cradle many species of birds including the famous guillemots. Once at the top, don’t forget to look around and see if you can spot the fearless Arctic foxes that freely roam the meadows. In Hornstrandir, Arctic foxes and many other species of birds and mammals nest and raise their juniors without fear of becoming a hunter’s dinner as hunting here is strictly forbidden.
After taking countless pictures, we’ll descend back into the cliff’s valley. We’ll arrive back to our camp already set up and waiting for us. Dinner will be served as soon as we settle in.
Hiking Distance: 7.5 mi (12km).
Day 2 of our hiking trip starts with a hearty breakfast. Later in the morning we pack up and leave for the Veiðileysufjörður Fjord.
The hike up the fjord isn’t very challenging, but keep in mind that you will ascend approximately 1640 ft (500 m) above sea level. The path leading to the top of the fjord is snowy most of the time, but your guide will help you every step of the way.
The ascent is extremely picturesque. Take your time soaking in the surrounding panoramas. If the weather is good, you’ll be able to see as far as the ocean and the other end of the peninsula. We’ll stop at a few viewing points to take pictures.
Once everyone is ready, we’ll descend along the other side of the fjord all the way to the shore. At around 5-6 p.m. a boat will pick us up and take us back to Isafjordur. The ride will last for around one hour.
Hiking distance: 6.8 mi (11 km).
Don’t worry, you can always rent sturdy hiking shoes, a waterproof jacket and pants in the booking process or add them to your booking. You can book these items and more under the selection “Extras” in the booking widget when booking your tour on our website.
If you have already booked the tour and wish to add some rental gear to your booking, you can do so at least 24 hours prior to your tour starting by using our customer portal - My Adventures, or contacting our customer care.
Please keep in mind that we do not rent gear on location.
First of all, check the weather forecast but keep in mind that the weather in Iceland can be extremely unpredictable, as you may have heard. We have a saying “If you don’t like the weather in Iceland, just wait 5 minutes” which is sometimes disturbingly accurate!
The weather can be anything from sunny to snowy in almost any season although snow is rare during summer time. We do suggest that you dress accordingly. This means in layers, thermal closest to you and waterproof on top. We’ve prepared a guide to help you get ready for your adventures, check out – How to prepare for hiking and trekking in Iceland.
No, please do not wear jeans and sneakers on this tour, it’s not appropriate clothing for this type of tour. Check the list of what to bring to see what kind of clothing is appropriate.
