A Day's hike in the Nature Reserve - Hornstrandir Hike (Aðalvík - Hesteyri)

by Sjóferðir ehf · Hiking & trekking · North Iceland

4.7· 45 Google reviews of the operator

Fine on your own
Eco-certified
Self-guided

from €431.12 per person

No published departures in the coming months — ask us

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A Day's hike in the Nature Reserve - Hornstrandir Hike (Aðalvík - Hesteyri) — Sjóferðir ehf

A Day's hike in the Nature Reserve - Hornstrandir Hike (Aðalvík - Hesteyri), photo 2

A Day's hike in the Nature Reserve - Hornstrandir Hike (Aðalvík - Hesteyri), photo 3

A Day's hike in the Nature Reserve - Hornstrandir Hike (Aðalvík - Hesteyri), photo 4

A Day's hike in the Nature Reserve - Hornstrandir Hike (Aðalvík - Hesteyri), photo 5

A Day's hike in the Nature Reserve - Hornstrandir Hike (Aðalvík - Hesteyri), photo 6

A Day's hike in the Nature Reserve - Hornstrandir Hike (Aðalvík - Hesteyri), photo 7

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Duration
12 hours
Difficulty
Moderate
Season
All year
Starts in
Ísafjörður
Pickup
Meet at the start point
Starts at
Sjóferðir
Ásgeirsgata, Ísafjörður
Departs
09:00
Minimum age
12
Cancellation
Cancelling costs 10% of the price within 365 days of departure, rising to 50% within 14 days.

About this experience

Due to the harshness of the environment, the Hornstrandir area was abandoned completely by the last of its inhabitants in the early 1950s. Since 1974 the flora and fauna have been protected and now arctic foxes, birds, seals, and plants have thrived undisturbed. This is the perfect full-day hike to enjoy all of what the area has to offer. You´ll leave by boat from Ísafjörður in the morning for Aðalvík. Continuing on foot to the abandoned settlement at Hesteyri. Once we reach Hesteyri warm drinks and pancakes will await us at the Doctors House Café. We will return from Hesteyri in the late afternoon and be back to Ísafjörður.

This is a moderate hike for people in good shape. Hiking distance is about 11 km on rough ground and elevation is about 300 m.

Description from the operator, Sjóferðir ehf. Prices and availability in the booking panel are live.

Included

Boat transfers, guidance, coffee, and pancake at the Old Doctors' house.

Not included

Snacks and lunch package,

Water bottle.

Gear.

Good to know

Participation in this tour requires warm and wind/waterproof clothes, solid hiking boots, gloves and cap, a lunch pack, and something to drink. Wading shoes are optional, but it would be a good idea to bring a small towel to dry your feet after being in the water. And don't forget to bring your camera.

Kindly note that we need a minimum of 4 persons total for the tour to go ahead. We offer 100% refund if the tour does not go ahead due to minimum persons not being reached.

Cancellation for this tour

Cancelling costs 10% of the price within 365 days of departure, rising to 50% within 14 days. If the operator cancels for weather or safety, you get a full refund or a new date.

If the weather cancels this tour

Iceland's weather is real. What usually stops this one is wind above the treeline and river levels after rain — the guide decides on the day. Here is exactly what happens to your booking.

1Sjóferðir ehf decides, and tells us. Operators cancel when it is unsafe or pointless, and we back that call every time — we do not ask them to run anyway.
2We contact you by email, and by phone if your tour is the same or next day. You choose: another date if there is one you can make, or a full refund. There is no fee and nothing to argue.
3The refund goes back to the card you paid with, through Stripe, usually visible within a few working days. If this tour was one of several in your booking, the others are untouched.

What you do not get is the day back. If this is the only free day in your plan, put a spare day next to it — the planner leaves days free with the rest-day option. And if you want out because the forecast looks bad, that is your own cancellation: free until the cutoff shown above, the operator's policy after that.

Questions on the day: [email protected] · +354 497 1373. How cancellations work in Iceland →

Why this one and not the cheaper one?

The nearest cheaper 4-6 Hour Hiking Tour from Sóti Summits is €121 — €310 less. Here is every difference we can actually measure.

	Sjóferðir ehf · €431	Sóti Summits · €121
How long it runs	12 hours	6 hours
Changing your mind	Not stated	Free until 24 h before

The €310 buys you 6 more hours out. Whether that is worth it is your call — but that is what the difference is.

Who this is not for

Not for families with children under 12 — the operator will not take them, even with a parent.
Not a good fit if you want a relaxed day: 12 hours is a long time on the road, most of it spent getting there and back.

Read off the operator's own conditions. If none of it applies to you, this is a good one.

Why we list it

Sjóferðir ehf is one of 204 operators we work with — chosen for reliability, honest descriptions and how they treat guests when weather changes plans. We don't list everything; we list what we'd book ourselves. The six checks every operator passes →

What travellers say about Sjóferðir ehf

Read all 45 reviews on Google →

Operator rating 4.7/5 from Google — these are reviews of the company, not this specific tour. Shown as Google returns them, unedited.

Lynn Meehan
★★★★★ · a month ago
Had a first rate whale watching experience with Sjóferdir today. Saw many whales. Judith, the guide, was excellent- enthusiastic and informative. Very competent captain as well. Comfortable boat. Small group. Gorgeous scenery. Highly recommend!!
Grace Mitton
★★★★★ · 2 months ago
This was such a magical, spectacular day and I’m so glad I booked with this company. Our tour guide was fantastic, keeping us at a pace that wasn’t too rushed where we had plenty of time to take in all of the beautiful sights. And she was so knowledgeable about the area and wildlife, and we were lucky enough to even spot a family of Arctic foxes. By far this was the highlight of my trip thanks to our amazing tour guide. Such a beautiful area.
Rebecca Douglas
★★★★★ · 9 months ago
One of the absolute highlights of my year was spending time at sea with these guys. A beautifully guided trip where the whale encounters were shared with care and integrity. We went out in late September and early October and saw SO many whales, it was absolutely mind blowing. Thank you so much for all that you do!
Kevin Gent
★★★★★ · a year ago
Today we went on our trip to see the whales and other wildlife. We weren't disappointed. Within 20 mins we were surrounded by groups of 4 and 5 whales. Absolutely awesome trip can't fault it. The Captain was exceptional and the young man who throughout the trip filled us with information was brilliant. We stayed out at sea for approx 2 hrs and my phone battery was empty after taking so many photos. The Captain turned the engines off and as we drifted we could here the whales calling each other..truly emotional. Cannot recommend this company and crew highly enough. There was one toilet on board which was easily accessible. But I must say the amount of narrow walkways and steps on board makes it non accessible for wheelchair confined persons. The weather was bright and a gentle breeze which made for a great trip. If I ever return I will be booking again. Thankyou again for a once in a lifetime experience.

Reviews from Google · updated 21 Oct 2026

Reviews from our travellers

Only people who booked this tour through us can write here. We publish every review in full — good or bad.

Reviews arrive the day after each trip — none yet for this one. After your tour we send one email asking how it was, and what you write goes here, unedited.

Hiking & trekking — questions people ask

When can you hike in Landmannalaugar?

Late June to September. The highland roads to Landmannalaugar are closed by snow the rest of the year, and the opening date shifts with the weather each summer. In season, day tours from Reykjavík (/experience/16823/) run about fourteen hours with a three- to five-hour guided hike and a soak in the hot river. If you have your own 4x4, the meet-on-location hike (/experience/254326/) skips the bus.

How hard is the Laugavegur trek?

Moderate to hard. It is 55 kilometres over four days from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk, with river crossings, snow patches in July and weather that can turn to sleet in August. You do not need technical skills, but you need to carry a pack and walk five to eight hours a day. Guided treks (/experience/738812/) handle logistics and camping gear; the luggage transfer (/experience/1036525/) lets self-guided walkers carry a day pack only.

Can you hike to the volcano near Reykjavík?

Yes, when it is safe. The Reykjanes eruption sites at Fagradalsfjall and around Grindavík have drawn hikers since 2021, and guided tours (/experience/629086/, /experience/620679/) follow the routes the Civil Protection authority has open. If there is an active eruption, access changes daily and tours adapt or pause. The lava is usually cooled and crusted; you see fresh black rock and steam, not flowing lava. Wear boots; the ground is rough.

What should I pack for a day hike in Iceland?

Waterproof jacket and trousers, not a poncho; the wind will shred it. Hiking boots with ankle support, wool or synthetic layers, hat, gloves, sunglasses and a packed lunch with two litres of water. In the highlands add a warm mid-layer even in July. Guides carry first aid and route knowledge, not your rain gear. Cotton jeans and trainers are the most common reason people have a miserable day.

Hotels

Where to stay for this tour

From the cheapest to the top end of what is near Ísafjörður, from our hotel partners. Rooms are booked on our hotels site. Ourhotels is our sister company — the same people, a different business — so we list it first and say so.

All hotels in Westfjords →

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from

€431.12 per person

Sjóferðir ehf's own price. 3% off the whole trip when you book two or more tours together, in one checkout.

Your date

Pick a date to check departures.

Departs09:00

· Cancelling costs 10% of the price within 365 days of departure, rising to 50% within 14 days.
✓ Instant confirmation by email
✓ If Sjóferðir ehf cancels for weather or safety: a full refund, or another date
✓ Card — Apple Pay or Google Pay where your device offers it — through Stripe; the charge is made in Icelandic krónur
✓ Price promise: Sjóferðir ehf's own price, or we refund the difference
✓ One checkout, even with tours from several operators
✓ Vetted operator — the six checks every operator passes

Pairs well with

Add any of these to this tour and 3 % comes off both at checkout — about €23 on the cheapest pair. One basket, one payment, however many operators they come from.