Today we will start the day with breakfast in Ísafjörður then catch the boat to our remote drop off at Veiðileysufjörður. We will start our hike up and over the pass to Hornvik. As we hike up the Veiðileysufjörður fjord we will see beautiful waterfalls, summer flowers and gorgeous views of the valley and ocean behind us.  

Distance: 6.8 miles, ↑ 2387 ft ↓2361 ft

Today we will hike to the famous Hornbjarg and attempt to summit Kálfatindar. We’ll leave our backpacks at camp and travel light. We’ll hike along the edge of Hornbjarg cliff, crawl carefully to the edge to look down the sheer vertical cliff that drops a few hundred meters to the ocean. Weather permitting, we will then hike up to the summit, Kálfatindar. At the summit you can hold on to the edge and look down over 500 meters straight into the ocean. 

Distance: Full day of hiking- mileage depends on day’s activities and weather.

Along the hike today we will explore a detour to Hælavíkurbjarg - a hidden gem most people miss. We’ll leave our backpacks at the trail intersection, close to where the smaller trail to Hælavíkurbjarg starts. After the narrow path, we will get to a small hidden valley called Hvannadalur where we get up close and personal with the 258m vertical cliff Hælavíkurbjarg that drops right into the ocean next to the valley. The thousands of wild birds make it even more surreal. Perhaps not for the faint of heart although the grassy walkway down is about 3 meters wide. We will pass over Atlaskarð pass and Skálarkambur ridge along our hike as well, ending at a beautiful camp by the beach.

Distance: 6 miles, ↑ 1994 ft ↓1952 ft

Today we will hike through diverse terrain- boulders, scree, and steep terrain, over two mountain passes and descend to the shore of Fljotavatn camp nestled into the edges of the hills and river. We will descend a very steep, rocky section that requires passing packs and picking our way through large rocky edges. As we come down into the Fjord, we wade through marshes to a lovely campsite on the side of the lake, with a gorgeous view of the mountains around us.

Distance: 7 miles, ↑ 1712 ft ↓1708 ft

Today we will hike through the marshes along the Atlastadaos River aiming to cross to Atlastadir camp, where we will be met with a magnificent plain of wildflowers and ocean views. Depending on our timing there may be the option to summit Kogur peak.

Distance: 5.3 miles, ↑ 472 ft ↓493 ft

Option to summit Kogur peak near the camp.

We will cross back over the Atlastadaos River and ascend up and over a pass to then drop down into the sheltered cove of Adalvik Bay and Latrar camp. The camp is near a sandy beach where you can wander and explore.

Distance: 7.2 miles, ↑ 1892 ft ↓ 1888 ft

Today we will rest and take in the incredible landscape we are in. There are options to relax and wander the beach, or a couple options for hiking.

OPTIONAL In this area we have the option to ascend a mighty peak called Straumnesfjall to find an abandoned radar station built by the Americans when they had a military presence here in 1953. This base was left in 1960 when operations in the region began to die down, and now is an excellent example of how nature is reclaiming this region.

OPTIONAL We can hike up to Mt. Darri where the British Army built a base during WWII to keep watch on German ships passing NW Iceland. The remains of buildings and a big air defense cannon can easily be seen on top of the mountain.

Hesteyri- There were always a few farmers and fishermen living out in Hesteyri, ever since the time of settlement, but it wasn’t until the Norwegians built the whaling station Hekla in 1894, together with some dwellings for workers that the area became a true community. After the whaling ban in 1915, the station was closed, but it reopened later as a herring factory. For as long as the herring lasted, the village prospered, and at one point there were 80 people living in Hesteyri. When the herring stocks dwindled in the 1940’s so did the residents and in 1952 the residents collectively decided to leave the town.

Enjoy a drink and crepes at the Old Doctors House!

Distance: 6.8 miles, ↑ 1425 ft ↓1436 ft

From Saebol, hike up-valley, passing an old church and ascend into the mountains via the Fannadalslaegðir (“Snow Valley Basin”). From the mountain plateaus, enjoy views across the waters of the Jökulfirðir (“Fjord of the Glaciers”) to the ice of the Drangajökull, the lowest-lying glacier in Iceland. Savor the wild landscapes before descending to Hesteyri, another abandoned settlement near the mouth of the fjord called the Hesteyrarfjörður. 

Distance: 16.2 miles Round Trip, ↑ 1557 ft ↓1545 ft (one way)

Today we will catch our boat back to Ísafjörður, unpack our gear, get settled in town, and have an incredible dinner at one of the best seafood restaurants in all of Iceland- Tjöruhúsið Restaurant. It is truly its own wonder to enjoy. This is the official end of the expedition. 

Plan to travel out of Isafjordur on July 16.