Hard to reach, but worth the effort. No roads, no electricity, no Wi-Fi. The last family to live there year-round departed in the 1950s.
This territory of the Arctic fox has been uninhabited since the 1950s. As isolated then as it is now, Hornstrandir attracts both casual half-day visitors and serious gore-tex hikers alike.
Three things draw people here. First, the bird cliffs surrounding Hornvík bay are a spectacle of gigantic proportions. On the eastern side, the cliff reaches a height of more than 500 metres, with seabirds teeming on every ledge. Second, as there is no infrastructure and tourists are few relative to the sheer size of the area, the sense of remoteness is profound. You can hike for days without seeing another person. The nature is pure and the tranquillity unmatched. Third, the area is a haven for the Arctic fox - thanks to the hunting ban and bird-packed cliffs, chances of spotting one are high.
Most tours, especially day trips, depart from Ísafjörður. Hikers wanting to go independently can also take boats from Norðurfjörður. Hornbjarg is the signature sea cliff, towering at the northern tip of the reserve. Lush green hills suddenly cut off by sheer cliffs dropping over 500 metres straight into the ocean below. Kálfatindur is the highest point at 534 metres, with Jörundur following at 429 metres. The northernmost point is Horn, from which the reserve takes its name - Hornstrandir.
Gallery
