Hornstrandir

About Hornstrandir

Hornstrandir is a nature reserve at the northern tip of the Westfjords, a roadless area of cliffs, fjords and valleys managed by the Environment Agency of Iceland (Umhverfisstofnun). There are no roads into it: most visitors arrive by sea, and the only other ways in are on foot from Ófeigsfjörður or Dalbær. Helicopter landings and motorised traffic are banned, apart from rescue operations.

The reserve is known for its hiking, its seabird cliffs and its Arctic foxes, which are protected here. Rules are strict: stay at least 40 m from fox dens, do not linger more than 20 minutes, and never feed the foxes. Dogs are not allowed, except landowners' dogs on a lead, and drones need a permit from the Environment Agency. Groups are limited to 30 people in the western part of the reserve and 15 in the eastern part.

Camping is allowed only at designated sites. There are fourteen public campgrounds and two private ones, with dry latrines or water toilets, and you may pitch in the same place for no more than a week. All rubbish must be carried out. Rangers are based at Höfn and Hesteyri, and summer services run at the Doctor's House and the Hornbjargsviti lighthouse from late June to August.

The practical season is summer. From June to August, boats run from Ísafjörður and Bolungarvík to drop-off points in the western reserve, and from Norðurfjörður on the Strandir coast to the eastern side; most services operate from late June to early September. From 1 March to 15 June and 1 September to 1 November, all activity in the reserve must be registered electronically with the Environment Agency in advance.

This is serious wilderness. Weather changes quickly, fog is common, snow can lie all year and rivers can be hard to cross after heavy rain. Register your plans with Safetravel, check the forecast and visit the Hornstrandastofa visitor centre at Silfurgata 1 in Ísafjörður for route advice.