Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ABRIDGED HIKE
You can take the ferry to Veiðileysufjörður, hike up to Hornvík, spend a night (or two)
there, and walk down to Lónafjörður to link back up with a boat, but only if you have preb-
ooked it. The walk from Hornvík to Lónafjörður takes around six to seven hours. Or you
could backtrack to Veiðileysufjörður.
Alternatively, just sail in and use Hesteyri as a day-hike base (prebook if you want
sleeping bag accommodation).
Weather & Gear
There are no services available in Hornstrandir and hikers must be fully prepared to tackle
all eventualities. The passes are steep, heavy rains will make rivers impassable, fog can be
dense, and you'll need to carry all your gear, so hiking can be slower than you might ex-
pect. In addition, most trails are unmarked, primitive and uneven, so it's essential to carry
a good map (try Vestfirðir & Dalir: 1), a compass, and a GPS. Rangers stress the need for
high-quality, completely weatherproof gear as you will often be hiking in rain, without any
way to get dry. Don't force a rescue operation due to ill preparation.
The best time to visit is in July. Outside the summer season (which runs from late June
to mid-August; ferry boats run June to August) there are few people around and the weath-
er is even more unpredictable. It is essential to plan ahead and get local advice, as vast
snow drifts with near-vertical faces can develop on the mountain passes, rivers can be un-
fordable etc. Before 15 June it is mandatory to register with a ranger ( 591 2000) .
There are emergency huts with radios and heaters at various points in the park for use in
case of sudden blizzards or storms.
You always need to book your return boat in advance; this serves as a safety measure, in
case you don't turn up for it. Ask local operators about current conditions before setting
off. Guided trips can also be easily arranged with Ísafjörður operators.
Tours
The two main operators running tours (boating, hiking, kayaking, skiing etc) into Horn-
strandir are West Tours and Borea , both based in Ísafjörður.
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