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
    • 4 or 6-day backpacking adventure in Hornstrandir Nature Reserve
    • All meals during the adventure
    • Accommodation as in the itinerary
      • 4-day tour — 3 nights in 2-person tents
      • 6-day tour — 3 nights in 2-person tents & 2 nights in a comfortable base camp
    • Boat transfers as in the itinerary
    • All camping gear (apart from sleeping bag and pad)

  Add-ons:

  • • One-person tent
    • Vegan or gluten-free diet (pescatarian and vegetarian diet are free of charge)

  Not included:

  • • Transportation to and from Ísafjörður
    • Accommodations before and after the adventure
    • Sleeping bag and sleeping pad
    • Guide gratuities — optional
    • Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout
• How fit do I need to be?

  Both the 4-day and 6-day Hornstrandir tours are challenging and are suited for hikers with excellent fitness and solid hiking experience. These are true wilderness backpacking trips, involving long days on varied and often demanding terrain while carrying a backpack.

  On the 4-day tour, we hike approximately 50 km (31 mi) in total, covering 12–16 km per day. On the 6-day tour, the journey extends to about 82 km (51 mi), with daily distances of 7.5–10 miles (12–16 km). Find day-by-day distances in the itinerary.

  Terrain can be wet, mossy, rocky, muddy, steep, and sometimes trail-less, requiring good balance and confidence on uneven ground. On most days, we carry our full backpack, weighing approximately 15–17 kg (33–37 lbs), although on Day 5 of the 6-day tour you carry only a daypack, and on Day 6 only your personal gear.

  We hike at a slow, steady pace with regular breaks, and a guide is always present to ensure safety, teach backpacking skills, and support the group throughout the journey. Preparation is key for an optimal experience. We recommend engaging in regular cardiovascular and strength training to enhance endurance and stamina.

• 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 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.

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• 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—you can add it to your booking 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 8.
    • 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 tour 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 5 pm for a pre-trip briefing.

• Safety measures and insurance

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

  Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection 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.

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  Deposits

  Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.

  Cancellations

  Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.

  Basic

  • • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If cancelled 60 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

  Flexible

  • • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If cancelled 60 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled 30-59 days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled within 29 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

  Super Flexible

  • • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If cancelled 30 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled within 29 days of departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.

  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.