Hike the Lost Fjords of Hornstrandir in Iceland

Things to know

• What’s included?

  Included:

  • • An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • A 6-day hiking and backpacking adventure in the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve
    • All meals during the adventure
    • Accommodation in two-person tents (3 nights) and a comfortable base camp (2 nights)
    • Ferry transfer to Hornstrandir and back
    • All camping gear (except sleeping bag and pad)

  Add-ons:

  • • One-person tent
    • Vegan or gluten-free diet (vegetarian diet is free of charge)

  Not included:

  • • Transportation to and from Ísafjörður
    • Accommodations before and after the adventure
    • Sleeping bag and pad
    • Guide gratuities — optional
    • Travel and medical insurance — recommended
• How fit do I need to be?

  To join this guided hiking and backpacking tour in the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, you should have excellent fitness and plenty of hiking experience. The journey involves navigating various challenging terrains while carrying a backpack. Daily distances range from 7.5 to 10 miles (12-16 km), and elevation gains can reach up to 2,950 feet (900 meters), including mountain passes.

  The terrain varies from wet and mossy to rocky and steep, with some sections lacking defined trails. Expect challenging ascents over diverse surfaces, including loose rock, soft ground, and occasional snow, with a total ascent on backpacking days of 1,640 to 1,970 feet (500-600m). While your guide will aim for food and camping gear drops with passenger boats, participants should be prepared for a self-supported journey, which includes carrying a loaded backpack that weighs 33-37 lbs (15-17 kg). That said, you will only carry your daypack on Day 5 and on Day 6 you’ll only carry your personal gear,

  Preparation is key for an optimal experience. We recommend engaging in regular cardiovascular and strength training to enhance endurance and stamina. Hiking on uneven terrain with a loaded backpack is particularly useful. Additionally, it is beneficial to have some basic knowledge of how to pack efficiently and lightly for multi-day hikes.

  Keep in mind that you will walk at a slow pace and take regular breaks, allowing you to fully enjoy scenery. You will also have a guide by your side to encourage you, teach you all the necessary backpacking skills, and keep everyone safe.

• What do I need to bring?

  Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

  • • Backpack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 50-60L)
    • Lightweight synthetic hiking jacket
    • Waterproof hiking jacket
    • Waterproof hiking pants
    • Warm hiking socks (at least three pairs)
    • Wool thermal tops (at least two)
    • Wool thermal underwear (at least one pair)
    • Waterproof, high-top hiking boots hiking boots, which provide good ankle support
    • Water shoes and gaiters
    • Hat and warm gloves or mittens.
    • Sleeping bag (rated to at least 0°C)
    • Sleeping pad (thin and inflatable one is best as it easily fits inside the backpack)
    • Personal medical kit (band aids, throat lozenges, lip salves, seasickness tablets, personal medication, etc.)
    • Sunglasses, sunscreen and after sun cream
    • Binoculars (for watching wildlife) — optional
    • Water bottle (1L capacity is enough)
    • Hiking poles — optional
    • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
    • Camera — optional (but recommended)

  Bring comfortable clothes that you can move in. Remember that everything you bring, you will have to carry on your back the first four days. Try to pack as light as possible while still bringing everything you need, but not everything you may want.

• Can I rent equipment?

  You can rent a backpack and sleeping bag from your guide for an additional fee if you don’t want to bring your own. You can leave us a note at checkout.

• Can I have a tent to myself?

  Your guide provides sturdy two-person tents, so sharing with another participant is expected. If you prefer a tent of your own after each day’s hike in Hornstrandir, this can be arranged for an additional fee—simply select this option at checkout.

• Will I see Arctic foxes on this tour?

  Arctic Fox sightings are frequent during any Horstrandir hike. Due to hunting restrictions in Hornstrandir, these animals exhibit reduced timidity around humans, allowing for close encounters at times. However, the fact remains that they remain wild animals. While close encounters are probable, sightings cannot be guaranteed during this guided Hosrnstrandir hiking and backpacking adventure.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and pricing

  • • For this group adventure, the maximum number of participants is 12.
    • It takes a minimum of 4 people for this tour to operate.

  Hiking and backpacking in Hornstrandir Nature Reserve can be arranged for larger or private groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

  If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to Ísafjörður, the starting point of the adventure, most people fly into Keflavik International Airport (near Reykjavik). From there, most people take another, 40-min flight to Ísafjörður Airport. Another option is renting a car and driving to Ísafjörður, which would take you around 6 hours.

  Participants should arrive in Ísafjörður at least one day before the Hostrandir hiking and backpacking trip begins (Day 0 in the itinerary). On that day, you will meet your guide and fellow backpackers at the guide shop in Ísafjörður (Aðalstræti 17) at 5pm for a pre-trip briefing.

• Safety measures and insurance

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, we partnered up with Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

  Redpoint tailors their insurance packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

  Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s insurance. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!

• On recent volcanic activity in Iceland

  Iceland, the “Land of Fire and Ice”, has forever lived with volcanic activity. Minor and major eruptions have occurred every few years since the island was formed. Some of Iceland’s appeal, aside from sheer natural beauty, surely stems from this very fact.

  However, every new eruption, such as the recent Reykjanes Peninsula fissure, will make some travelers, tourists, and adventurers uneasy, especially given the fact that sensationalist media is not immune to misinformation and speculation.

  Since we work with a number of expert local guides in Iceland, we thought we’d share their input and fill you in on what’s actually going on.

  First of all, air traffic has not been affected. Flights to and from Keflavík International Airport and Reykjavík Domestic Airport are operating as they always do.

  Second, the effects of volcanic activity have been localized, with some roads closed, and all services in Iceland are operating as usual. Reykjavik, the capital, is around 40 km (25 miles) away from the volcanic fissure, and life there is as normal as ever.

  And third, trips offered by 57hours are taking place much further away, and are thereby even less likely to be affected by the volcanic activity, being perfectly safe for adventurers. Naturally, the authorities (and guides) are monitoring the situation and doing everything possible to keep both local residents and visitors safe and well informed.

  In case you have any additional questions or dilemmas, feel free to get in touch with either your guide or 57hours. For more information, please visit:
  https://safetravel.is/
  https://www.visiticeland.com/article/volcano-info

  Or watch the video with Dr. Matthew Roberts from the Icelandic Meteorological Office explaining the recent volcanic activities in Iceland:
  https://youtu.be/QA3-BXYuYrw?feature=shared

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  Deposits

  You can secure one of the set dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

  Cancellations

  Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

  Basic

  • • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a 70% refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, there is no refund.

  Flexible

  • • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 30-59 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-29 days before the trip, there is no refund.

  Super Flexible

  • • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 30 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-29 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.

  Early bird booking

  Want to be the first one to know when we publish new dates or secure your spot well in advance? Select a future month that suits you best and lock in your early bird spot in time with just a 10% deposit. 

  As soon as our guides publish new tour dates, you’ll be the first one to know. We’ll hold your spot for 2 weeks until you choose the date that suits you best. 

  More about how early bird bookings work below:

  • • Only a 10% non-refundable deposit must be paid upon booking, but this deposit can be transferred to any other 57hours adventure in case the dates don’t end up working for you.
    • Once our guides publish new tour dates, we’ll reach out to you so you’ll be the first one to choose from newly released dates.
    • When you pick your date, you’ll confirm your booking by paying another 20% of the total trip amount (amounting to the standard 30% deposit). 
    • Once the trip has been confirmed, the regular cancellation policy (found above) applies.
    • The remaining balance is due 90 days before the trip.