Hornstrandir is principally Iceland’s model of the center of nowhere. It’s an enormous nature reserve up within the Westfjords that covers about 580 sq. kilometers of some fairly wild terrain. The factor is, no person truly lives there anymore – hasn’t been anybody everlasting because the Nineteen Fifties when the final farmers gave up and moved out.
What’s Hornstrandir
What you’ve acquired now’s this huge empty area that’s turn out to be a protected space. The federal government made it official again in 1975, and actually, it was most likely the appropriate name. With out individuals round, the place has gone again to being pure wilderness.
The large draw right here? Arctic foxes. They’re actually the one place of birth mammal Iceland has, and Hornstrandir nature reserve is the place they rule the roost. Since looking them is banned right here, they’ve gotten fairly comfy round people. Some people say they’re nearly pleasant, which is bizarre however cool.
The plants has exploded too. While you don’t have sheep and horses munching every part down, you get this loopy number of flowers and crops – we’re speaking over 250 species. In summer season, the entire place turns into this colourful carpet that appears nearly faux.
The place is Hornstrandir
Have a look at any map of Iceland and also you’ll spot Hornstrandir hanging off the very tip of the Westfjords – it’s about as distant as you may get. Ísafjörður is the closest city with precise companies, sitting roughly 30 kilometers away. Doesn’t sound like a lot till you notice there’s no direct route between them.
This nook of Iceland is wild in each sense. Fjords slice deep cuts via the panorama whereas mountains rise like partitions straight from the ocean. The entire peninsula feels precarious, prefer it would possibly simply break off and float away. Down south you may see Drangajökull glacier, which is bizarre as a result of it’s apparently the one glacier in Iceland that’s truly holding regular as an alternative of melting away.
Right here’s what makes Hornstrandir completely different from all over the place else – zero highway entry. Not even dust tracks. The federal government determined way back that this place ought to keep untouched, in order that they by no means constructed any infrastructure. When you’re in, strolling and boats are your solely methods round.
Easy methods to get to Hornstrandir
The journey begins in Ísafjörður, and also you’ve acquired two methods to get there from Reykjavík. Driving takes most of a day – perhaps 5 or 6 hours relying on what number of photograph stops you make. Flying cuts that right down to 40 minutes however prices extra. For those who’re planning to discover the Westfjords anyway, you may go to it by renting a 4×4 camper van and switch the entire thing right into a highway journey.
From Ísafjörður, boats are your solely choice. A few corporations run ferries – Borea and West Excursions are the principle ones. However right here’s the catch: they don’t run day by day to each spot. Some locations solely get service twice every week, so you really want to plan forward.
Understanding learn how to get to Hornstrandir means accepting you can’t simply present up and hop on a ship. You want advance bookings for each instructions, and lacking your pickup means search and rescue will get concerned. Costs aren’t low cost both – count on to pay 150-250 euros per individual for the spherical journey.
Climate can mess up your plans too. Even in the event you’ve acquired tickets, tough seas imply cancelled journeys. It’s irritating however that’s simply the way it goes up there.
Hike to Hornstrandir
A Hornstrandir hike isn’t for weekend warriors. That is critical backcountry stuff that’ll check your limits. The preferred route is known as the Royal Horn, and it takes 4-5 days of fairly powerful mountain climbing. You begin in a single fjord, work your approach as much as the northern cliffs, then loop again round. It’s stunning however brutal.
The terrain modifications always. One minute you’re strolling alongside clifftops with 500-meter drops to the ocean, subsequent you’re slogging via knee-deep vegetation or crossing streams. The crops can get surprisingly thick – generally you’re principally bushwhacking via stuff that comes as much as your waist.
Climate is completely unpredictable. You would possibly begin the day in sunshine and find yourself in a snowstorm. The wind by no means stops, and I imply by no means. It’ll drive you loopy in the event you’re not ready for it. Good gear isn’t elective right here – it’s survival gear.
However if you do see Arctic foxes simply hanging out close to your tent prefer it’s no massive deal? That makes all of the struggling price it.
How lengthy is the Hornstrandir hike?
Relies upon what you’re after. Day journeys are doable – about 11 hours complete with the boat rides included. You get dropped off at one spot, hike to a different pickup level, and head again. It’s a protracted day however offers you a style of what’s on the market.
Most individuals who do it correctly spend 4-5 days on the Royal Horn circuit. That’s sufficient time to actually expertise the place with out speeding. Some hardcore hikers stretch it to every week or extra, which helps you to discover aspect valleys and spend time simply watching wildlife.
The longest journeys can run two weeks, however that’s for individuals who actually wish to see every part. It is advisable to carry all of your meals for that sort of expedition, which will get heavy quick.
Ferry schedules find yourself dictating your timeline anyway. Since boats don’t run each day to all places, you need to work round their timetable.
Is Hornstrandir price it?
Brief reply: completely.
Lengthy reply: it relies on what you’re on the lookout for.
If you need simple Instagram photographs and creature comforts, this isn’t your house. However if you wish to expertise actual wilderness – the sort that’s getting more durable to seek out – Hornstrandir delivers.
The wildlife alone justifies the journey. Moreover the Arctic foxes, you’ve acquired huge seabird colonies, seals lounging on seashores, and in the event you’re fortunate, whales offshore. The hen cliffs are insane – a whole bunch of hundreds of birds packed onto vertical rock faces.
For photographers, the sunshine up right here throughout summer season is unbelievable. The solar barely units, so that you get these lengthy golden hours that appear to final perpetually.
However right here’s the actual deal: this place modifications you. There’s one thing about being utterly lower off from every part – no roads, no cell service, no security internet besides what you introduced with you. It forces you to decelerate and truly take note of the place you might be.
Most individuals come again speaking about how quiet it’s. Not simply quiet – silent in a approach that metropolis people have by no means skilled. That silence will get into your head and stays there lengthy after you permit.
