Hike the Lost Fjords of Hornstrandir in Iceland

Things to know

• What’s included?

  What you get on this adventure:

  • • 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 tents (3 nights) and a comfortable base camp (2 nights)
    • Ferry transfer to Hornstrandir and back
    • All camping gear (except sleeping bag and pad)

  What’s not included:

  • • Transportation to and from Ísafjörður
    • Accommodations before and after the adventure
    • Hotel in Longyearbyen a day prior to the start of the tour
    • Sleeping bag and pad — can be rented
    • 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 be in good physical condition and have 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 1,970 feet (600 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, sleeping bag, and ski and avalanche equipment from your guide for an additional fee if you don’t want to bring your own. You can contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Can I have a tent to myself?

  Your guide provides sturdy two-person tents and therefore you are expected to share with one other person. If you would like a tent to yourself after each daily hike in Hostrandir, it can be arranged for an additional fee— just select this option during the booking process.

• 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 in Westfjords, Iceland

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more.

  Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.

  We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to. For more information on travel recommendations and restrictions in Westfjords, Iceland, please refer to Iceland’s foreign travel advice.

  If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, 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

  Secure your spot for 2025 with a 10% deposit! This tour gets sold out very quickly, but with early-bird booking, you’ll be the first one to know. Pick the month that suits you best and we’ll let you know once the dates are live—don’t risk missing out on your bucket list adventure!

  • • Only 10% of the total amount should be paid as a deposit upon booking. This deposit is non-refundable, but can be transferred to another 57hours adventure in case the dates don’t suit you by the end of the year.
    • Once the set dates for the following season are live, you can confirm your booking by the end of this year by paying another 20% of the total amount.
    • The final balance is due 1 month (30 days) prior to departure.

  For set dates, a 25% deposit to secure your place is due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 1 month (30 days) prior to departure at the latest. Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies.

  • • If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to sixty (60) calendar days in advance of the trip contemplated by the booking, the deposit will be forfeited.
    • For cancellations thirty-one (31) to fifty-nine (59) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of fifty percent (50%) of the total amount paid when Booking.
    • After that deadline, Client is not entitled to any refund. Any reimbursable expenses arising out of the Booking incurred by Guide prior to the date of cancellation (including but not limited to plane tickets, car rental payments, and lodging or transportation fees) are non-refundable as soon as they are incurred by the Guide.