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 is 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, dwas 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 Norðurfjörður.
Hornbjarg og Haelavikurbjarg
Hornbjarg is the signature sea cliff towering at the top of Hornstrandir nature reserve. Green lush hills suddenly cut off by sheer cliffs dropping over 500 meters straight down into the ocean below. Kálfatindur is the highest point of the cliff at 534 meters altitude, Jörundur, another peak follows at 429 meters altitude. The northernmost part of the cliff is Horn, and from there the nature reserve draws it name, Hornstrandir. The cliff is a uniqe and intense site to visit in the nature reserve Hornstrandir. The cliffs are known for their birdlife as it is a popular nesting ground for various bird species. To get to the cliffs you have to travel by boat from Ísafjörður.
Haelavikurbjarg, between coves Hornvik and Haelavik, is a 521 m high sheer cliff. It is named after Haell, a freestanding rock in the sea just off the coast. Above the brink is a valley called Hvannadalur. Below the valley are two beautiful freestanding dikes, Langikambur and Fjol, in the sea, with a small cove named Kirfi in between them. Not far away is the third dike, Sulnastapi, standing in the sea close to the cliff.
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Hesteyri
Hesteyri is a deserted village located in Hesteryafjord, which is the westernmost fjord of the Jokulfirdir area. During the most flourishing period around 80 people live in the village. It was abandoned in the mid 20th century and houses in the area are now used as summerhouses. Hesteyri is the setting for the horror mystery movie "Ég man þig (e. I remember you)"
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Arctic Fox
The Arctic fox is the only truly native land mammal in Iceland. It got stranded on the island after the last Ice Age and survived on birds, bird eggs, berries, seaweed and various other foods. Over the millennia the Icelandic Arctic fox has become genetically unique: the Vulpes lagopus fuliginosus subspecies. They are white in winter and grey in summer. The Hornstrandir nature reserve in the Westfjords is the only place in Iceland where the Arctic fox is completely protected from hunting; which means they are a common sight and unusually tame.
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Adalvik
Adalvik cove faces the open seas, being the outermost cove in Hornstrandir Nature Reserve. The cove is rather big, with about 5 miles between the impressive mountains that surround it. Both sides fall steeply into the ocean and there is a considerable lowland area within the cove. North of Adalvik is Straumnes and Straumnesfjall mountain. Further in the cove is Latrafjall mountain.
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Hornvik
Hornvik is surrounded by the cliffs of Hornbjarg to the east and Haelavikurbjarg to the west. West side of Haelavikurbjarg is Hælavík cove.
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Drangajokull
Drangajökull is the only glacier in the Westfjords. It is the only glacier in Iceland whose altitude in entirely below 1,000 metres. In addition to this, it is the only glacier in Iceland which is not in retreat (i.e. getting smaller). Drangajökull lies north of the Strandir region and south of the Hornstrandir nature reserve. Kaldalón, meanwhile, is a short fjord into which the glacier calves. The name literally means ‘cold lagoon’ and it is totally magical. It could be thought of as the Jökulsárlón of the Westfjords – although it is starkly different and visiting is a much more personal experience.
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