2 Day Hornstrandir Hike - The Hornbjarg Cliffs

We’ll meet at 8 am for a short briefing at our office in Aðalstræti 17, Isafjordur. We’ll give you an overview of the tour and answer any questions you might have before our 9-am departure from Ísafjörður harbor on our passenger boat, Bjarni.

The ride to Hornvík Bay will take 2–3 hours. On the way, we’ll see the jagged coastline and the beautiful fjords that are carved into the peninsula. The ferry will drop us off in Hornvík bay at Horn, a deserted, old farm. We’ll start our hike here, following the path that circumnavigates the edge of the magnificent Hornbjarg bird cliffs. The path is very easy to follow with a mild and gradual ascent.

As we gain elevation, the view will become more and more breathtaking. After just a short hike, we’ll find ourselves on the edge of the cliffs and follow the coastline up to the 1312-foot (400-meter) high Hornbjarg.

In clear weather, by carefully looking down the cliffs, we can enjoy spectacular views over the ocean with the curving line of the cliff edges standing before us. We might even see whales surfacing or jumping in the distance! We’ll be able to see and hear thousands of birds soaring over the edge of the cliffs, living their busy, noisy lives.

This path will take us to the most scenic places and viewpoints. After exploring the area and taking millions of photos, we’ll descend into the valley, where our camp will be awaiting us with a well-deserved dinner! We have a big, heated kitchen tent, where we’ll spend time warming up, socializing, and drying off our gear.

At bedtime, we’ll head for our comfortable two-person tents, which will already be set up and ready for use.

Distance: 12 km / 7.45 mi

Altitude: Ascent

Altitude value: 400 m / 1312 ft

On the morning of the second day, we’ll have time to rest and enjoy the fresh air. After a hearty breakfast together in the kitchen tent, we’ll say goodbye to beautiful Hornvík Bay.

We’ll take the path that leads across the mountain and hike towards Veiðileysufjörður fjord on the southern end of the peninsula. With a steady ascent, we’ll hike from sea level up to Hafnarskarð Pass, located at an elevation of approximately 1640 ft. (500 m) above sea level. Even in summer, the path is often covered in snow, but the guide will be there to help if you need any assistance.

As we hike up to the pass, there will be several viewpoints where we’ll stop and look back over the bay. In clear weather, the view is truly spectacular! After we’ve reached the highest point, we’ll follow the path all the way down to the shoreline. The view over Veiðileysufjörður fjord is just as fantastic as that of Hornvík Bay!

The boat will pick us up around 5–6 pm to take us back to Ísafjörður. This boat ride will take about an hour, allowing us to enjoy the views along the wild coastlines on Hornstrandir one last time.

Distance: 11 km / 6.8 mi

Altitude: Ascent

Altitude value: 500 m / 1640 ft