Hornstrandir Panorama Hiking Tour

The Hornstrandir Panorama hiking tour is a full day on foot through the remote Hornstrandir nature reserve, crossing streams and snow fields with views of the Drangajökull glacier along the way.

• A full day exploring Hornstrandir, one of Iceland's most remote areas
• About 8–10 km on foot, with streams and snow fields to cross
• Views of the Drangajökull ice cap
• Lush valleys that contrast with Hornstrandir's rugged coastline
• Small groups of 4–10 hikers

Your day, stop by stop

1Boat into HornstrandirSail into the reserve to start the hike.

You sail into the reserve to start the hike. Hornstrandir is a roadless nature reserve covering about 580 km² at the northern tip of the Westfjords, reached only by boat from Ísafjörður or Bolungarvík.

Read our Hornstrandir guide →

2Streams and snow fieldsCross streams and lingering snow patches on the way in.

Even in summer, snow can sit in sheltered gullies, and small streams cross the route in several places. You cross streams and lingering snow patches on the way in, so waterproof boots help.

3Lush valleysWalk through green, sheltered valleys typical of parts of Hornstrandir.

These sheltered valleys are more vegetated than the exposed coastline, a contrast that is part of what makes the hike varied.

4Views of DrangajökullPanoramic views towards the Drangajökull ice cap.

Drangajökull is the only glacier remaining in the Westfjords, and it is visible from higher points on the route, giving panoramic views towards the ice cap. The hike covers about 8 to 10 km in total.

Distance · about 8–10 km

About the Hornstrandir hiking tour

Hornstrandir has been uninhabited since the last residents left in the 1950s, and it stays wild and hard to reach: no roads, few paths, and access by boat only. This tour is a full day of hiking within the reserve, covering varied ground rather than following one coastal route.

You cross streams, patches of snow that can linger into summer, and green valleys that are surprisingly lush for such a remote and exposed part of Iceland, with views out to the Drangajökull ice cap, the only glacier left in the Westfjords. Groups are kept small, usually four to ten people, with an experienced guide who knows the terrain and adjusts the route to conditions on the day.

This is rated challenging, so it suits hikers who are comfortable on uneven, sometimes wet ground for a full day. It only runs in summer, roughly June to the start of September, when the reserve is accessible and snow cover has mostly cleared from the lower routes.

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