Trekking around the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve in early spring (Iceland), 2021

Some facts on the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve in points:

a) one of the most beautiful parks in the world known for its stunning scenery and unspoiled nature
b) the most remote, completely uninhabited and the last untrodden piece of Iceland
c) ubiquitos landscape: mountain wilderness covered with tundra including giant cliffs, magnificent waterfalls as well as crystal clear streams
d) safe home for endangered species of animals like arctic foxes and puffins
e) snow cover for most of the year; large areas of the reserve covered with a "flower carpet" in the spring period
f) real paradise for experienced hikers and wildlife lovers (the area is closed for mass tourism)
g) no marked hiking trails, no tourist infrastructure, no roads, no mobile phone coverage
h) unpredictable and fast changing weather conditions - you can experience four seasons just in an hour.

The biggest advantage of travelling around this exclusive area, despite strong sense of remoteness and solitude, is all-encompassing feeling of freedom as well as experience of irresistible charm of the pristine nature.


Map of Iceland with Hornstrandir Peninsula marked with a red circle (source: Internet).


Boat trip from Isafjordur to Adalvik Bay on Hornstrandir Peninsula.


Latrar in Adalvik Bay. A rescue shelter where you can stay during extreme weather conditions.


And a latrine weighed down with stones to protect against hurricane wind.


On the trail.


On the trail.


Arctic fox.


Tundra in spring blooms intensively in the form of flower carpets.


Flower carpet.


On the trail.


On the trail.


Building of the abandoned US Cold War military base at Cape Straumnesfjall.


Rock ptarmigan (male).


View on fjords at the Greenland Sea.


On the trail.


Rock ptarmigan (male).


Rock ptarmigan (female).


Flower carpet.


View of fjords.


Arctic fox.


Next torrent to cross.


Thief attracted by the smell of food.


Coast guard landed to warn that a dangerous polar bear was roaming in the vicinity and ... they flew away.


On the trail.


Marigolds.


Arctic fox


On the trail.


On the trail.


Kittiwakes - seabird species in the gull family.


Arctic fox with a hunted bird.


On the trail.


On the trail.


Flower carpet.


Flower carpet.


The highest peak on Cape Horn.


White nights in Hornstrandir. Throughout my stay, the sun did not hide over the horizon.


On the trail.


Hornbjarg - a spectacular cliff at the Greenland Sea, 534 m high over sea level.


Fjord with a waterfall at the Greenland Sea.


Autonomous lighthouse in Latravik.


Short rest after the breakfast.


Arctic fox.


Nice view early in the morning.


Flower carpet.


Flower carpet.


Flower carpet.


On the trail.


Flower carpet.


Flower carpet.


On the trail.


On the trail.


Cottongrass.


Lupine.


Black-headed gull.


Oyster catcher.


Outskirts of Isafjordur.


Museum of Nonsense in Isafjordur.


Cheers for those who kept their fingers crossed for my expedition. Beer pub in the building of a local brewery.

More photos with arctic foxes from Hornstrandir
Mor photos with rock ptarmigans from Hornstrandir
Accommodation in Hornstrandir - short movie
Flower carpet in Hornstrandir - short movie.