Hornstrandir
401, Ísafjörður
This territory of the Arctic fox has been uninhabited since
the 1950s. As isolated as it was then, it attracts the casual half-day visitors
and serious gore-tex hikers alike. Its main attractions are three. First, the
bird cliffs surrounding the bay of Hornvík, are a magnet of gigantic
proportions. On the eastern side of the bay the cliff reaches a height of more
than 500 metres, and the birds are teeming. Second, as there are no infrastructure
and the tourists few in relation to the sheer size of the area, the sense of
remoteness is strong. You can hike days on end without seeing a single person.
The nature is pure and the tranquillity unmatched. Third, as the area is a
haven for the Arctic fox (think hunting-ban and bird-packed cliffs), the
chances of spotting one are high.
Most tours, especially day tours, depart from Ísafjörður.
Hikers wanting to go on their own can also take boats from Bolungarvík and
Norðurfjörður.