Tips & Hints
In this page, some useful information for traveling in this region. I got this information on the spot or when preparing the trip. I hope that it will be useful to others.
Flights - To go to Iceland
There is only one international airport in Iceland, Keflavík International Airport :
By Hansueli Krapf [CC-BY-SA-3.0], from Wikimedia Commons
The main airline operating in Keflavík is Icelandair. You can find all airlines operating on the airport on his Wikipedia airport page.
The airport is located near the southwestern tip of Iceland, at 40 km from Reykjavík, Iceland's capital city.
To get there, the best way is to use the flybus. This bus service leaves the airport 40 minutes after each landing. There are two types of bus, operated by two different companies : Flybus (Reykjavik Escursion) is the best known but I am sure that another operator made the same journey but I can no longer remember his name. Anyway, in the arrival hall in Keflavík the two counters are in the same place, you can't miss them.
Flights - To go to the Northwest Fjords
To go in the region of Hornstrandir by air, flights depart from Reykjavik Domestic Airport.
The two possible destinations are Ísafjörður (2 times a day in summer) and Gjögur (on the east coast of the Westfjords, once a week in summer).
Flights to Ísafjörður are operated by Air Iceland. Those to Gjögur by Eagle Air.
Reykjavík Domestic Airport is a 20 minute walk from the BIS , the bus station where flybus arrive. Warning ! Walk along the airport on the right to reach the passenger terminal, not on the left !
Ferrys
To go on the peninsula of Hornstrandir, you should use the ferry depart from Ísafjörður or Bolungarvík. For prices and schedules simply visit the West Tours website.
If a destination that interests you is not in their schedule, drop them a mail and they will tell you if it is possible and at which price.
Isafjörður-Bolungarvík Bus
There is a system of mini-buses between Ísafjörður and Bolungarvík, the cost of a trip is 500 Crowns (about 3-4 euros). Here is the timetable :
Bus timetable, picture taken in Bolungarvík
Snow patches
You don't need special shoes to pass the snowfields.
The only difficults ones are the steep ones. You should on those firmly "plant" you shoes in the snow, to make small steps. On my trip, I had steep snow patches after thee Kýrskarð mountain pass when descending to Hornvík and in Fjárdalur, during my descent into Aðalvík.
Arf ! ...
Supply
The best value is the Bonus supermarket at the very end of the Ísafjörður fjord.
There is also a supermarket in the city center of Ísafjörður, I think it's called "Coop" or something like that.
For the supply of gas cylinder for the stove, I went to an outdoor store on the Ísafjörður harbor. He had red windows and a sort of blue statue at the entrance.
Maps
I used the Hornstrandir map from the Museum of Icelandic Sorcery & Witchcraft in Hólmavík. This is very interesting because it describes the ways in addition to showing them on the map.
This one edited by Ferdakort is not bad either.
This is a map of the hikes directly around Ísafjörður : click here. The description of the routes is here.
Water
IThere is no problem of water supply in the reserve there are hundreds of freshwater rivers.
In addition, there are no sheep or many other animals in the area, so you do not even need to treat the water.
For my part, I never carried more than 1 liter of water on me.
Hornstrandir Wardens
The wardens are the best informants on the fauna, flora and things to do in the area. n my trip, they have a permanent office in the summer in Höfn (Hornvík) and Hesteyri.
Fords
On my route , the Fords were not complicated to cross. I have not seen quicksand and the water level was never higher than mid-thigh.
For shoes, I used a pair of Crocs and I am very satisfied . rapid drying and light to carry.
Passages at low tide
On my journey , only the passage under Bolungarvíkurófæra in Furufjörður must be done at low tide.
For information on schedules when you can cross passages at low tide, send an email to West Tours. They will send you an Excel file with all the timetables for low tides for all parts of the reserve in July and August.
Campsites - Hornstrandir
Within the reserve, there are many campgrounds. They all have lattrines and are nearly flat to plant the tent.
You are asked to use them if possible to spend the night.
You can find the list and locations of these campsites on this map :
Hornstrandir reserve map with campsites.
Campsites - Ísafjörður
Hotel Hedda campsite
More information on the official Hotels Hedda websites. I have not tested this campsite.
Tungurdalur campsite
By far my favorite: it is a comfortable camping in the wilderness.
To get there, take the left road after the Bonus supermarket on the road between the airport and the city. The hiking time between the airport and the campsite is 45 minutes.
The campsite is comfortable with toilets, showers, washing machines and dryer. It also has a common room for meals.
Tungurdalur campsite
Harbor campsite
Finally, there is a campground on the port. It seems pretty basic but it really is in the city.
Ísafjörður harbor campsite.
Campsites - Bolungarvík
The only camping in Bolungarvík is located at the the municipal swimming pool, on the left of the main road from Ísafjörður. The main part, next to the pool building is rather suitable for motorhomes, but below, near the creek, a cozy space and shade is more suitable for tents.
Tent area of the Bolungarvík campsite.