Hiking Tour in the Westfjords, Iceland

Things to know

• What’s included?

  What you get on this adventure:

  • • An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • 8-day hiking adventure in many different parts of Iceland
    • All activities outlined in the itinerary
    • Accommodation in hotels for the duration of the tour based on double occupancy (7 nights)
    • Meals as indicated in the itinerary (all breakfasts and some lunches)
    • Transportation during the adventure

  What’s not included:

  • • Transportation to Reykjavik (flight and shuttle from Keflavik)
    • Accommodation in Reykjavik before and after the tour
    • Single supplement — available at an additional fee
    • Meals not indicated in the itinerary
    • Drinks and any personal expenses
    • Travel and medical/rescue insurance — recommended
    • Guide gratuities — optional
• How fit do I need to be?

  To join this guided hiking trip in the Westfjords, Iceland, you need to be in very good physical shape. All participants should have extensive hiking experience in hilly terrain. However, it is not necessary to have experience with multi-day treks, it is enough to be accustomed to full-day hikes. On this tour, you will mostly have a longer hike one day and a shorter hike the next day—this alternation will allow everyone to recuperate and have a more enjoyable experience.

  On longer hiking days, you’ll cover distances between 4 and 9 miles (7-14.5 km), while on shorter hiking days you will only do short walks while sightseeing or hikes no longer than 3 miles (4.8 km). During longer hikes, you can expect altitude gains of up to 2,790 feet (850 m). Another factor to be aware of is changing weather. Sometimes it can be rainy, cool, and windy even in the middle of summer—especially in higher elevations. You will also encounter some steep and uneven terrain.

  To prepare for this tour, we encourage regular cardiovascular exercise (especially hiking!) in weeks prior to the adventure. Keep in mind that you will always have a guide by your side to encourage you, assess your fitness level, and keep everyone safe by changing the route if it is too strenuous or doing an alternate hike due to bad weather.

• What do I need to bring?

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

  • • Day pack large enough to carry all the items you may need in a day (around a 25L bag)
    • Hiking poles — optional
    • Water bottle (2L capacity)
    • Hiking boots with good ankle support
    • Moisture-wicking hiking shirts and pants
    • Midlayer or fleece
    • Windproof rain jacket
    • Swimwear
    • Sunhat, hat for warmth, and gloves
    • Casual clothes for when you’re not hiking
    • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, lip balm, personal hygiene products etc.)
    • Sunglasses
    • Camera — optional (but recommended)

  Bring comfortable clothes appropriate for the season. We suggest checking the weather forecast and being prepared for different conditions—weather is pretty volatile in Iceland even in the summer and especially at higher elevations. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

• Will I see Arctic foxes and puffins on this tour?

  Due to hunting restrictions in Hornstrandir, Arctic foxes exhibit reduced timidity around humans, allowing for close encounters at times. However, the fact remains that they remain wild and elusive animals. While close encounters are probable, sightings cannot be guaranteed during this guided Hosrnstrandir hiking and backpacking adventure. On the other hand, puffins sightings are nearly guaranteed.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and prices:

  • • For this group adventure, the maximum client-to-guide ratio is 12:1.
    • It takes a minimum of 6 people for this tour to operate.

  Hiking in the Westfjords, Iceland can be arranged for 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 Reykjavik, the starting point of the tour, most people fly into Keflavik International Airport. From there, we suggest taking a 40-minute bus ride to the city. There is a line connecting the airport and the city after each arrival.

  Participants should arrive in the city one day before the tour. Your guide will pick you up at your hotel in the morning of Day 1 and you take a scenic ride to the Westfjords.

• 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 trails, 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 the 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

  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.

  Secure your early bird spot with a 10% deposit! This tour gets sold out very quickly, but with early-bird booking, you will be the first one to know about any new upcoming dates. Pick your preferred dates without the risk of your bucket list adventure selling out!

  • • 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 anytime in case the dates don’t suit you.
    • Once the dates are set, you can confirm your booking by paying another 20% of the total amount.
    • The final balance is due 3 months (90 days) prior to departure.

  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.