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- Hornvík (Hornvik) Bay — The big amphitheatre of sea cliffs and tundra that most people think of when they picture Hornstrandir. It’s the classic basecamp for multi-day hikes, tons of nesting seabirds in summer, and a place where the silence actually feels physical. Boat drop-off or a long hike in — either way you get raw coastline, huge skies and excellent chances of arctic fox sightings. (Personal favorite.)
- Hornbjarg Cliffs — The dramatic, jagged sea-cliff edge on Hornstrandir’s northwestern rim. Walks along the cliff give vertigo-inducing views straight down to the ocean and dense seabird colonies. It’s an experience you can’t copy elsewhere in Iceland because the cliff profile and the tiny coves below are uniquely Hornstrandir.
- Hesteyri village and cemetery — One of Hornstrandir’s
- Hornvík (Hornvik) Bay — The big amphitheatre of sea cliffs and tundra that most people think of when they picture Hornstrandir. It’s the classic basecamp for multi-day hikes, tons of nesting seabirds in summer, and a place where the silence actually feels physical. Boat drop-off or a long hike in — either way you get raw coastline, huge skies and excellent chances of arctic fox sightings. (Personal favorite.)
- Hornbjarg Cliffs — The dramatic, jagged sea-cliff edge on Hornstrandir’s northwestern rim. Walks along the cliff give vertigo-inducing views straight down to the ocean and dense seabird colonies. It’s an experience you can’t copy elsewhere in Iceland because the cliff profile and the tiny coves below are uniquely Hornstrandir.
- Hesteyri village and cemetery — One of Hornstrandir’s best examples of the abandoned coastal farms: turf foundations, a tiny summer church/cemetery and a handful of restored cabins. It’s a dose of real human history — fishermen and sheep-farm life clinging on in a harsh place — and a quiet place to camp, cook, and listen to waves instead of driving past another tourist stop.
- Öndverðarnes headland — A remote cape with a lighthouse and open ocean exposure; walks here feel properly extreme. The headland offers big sea-sky panoramas, seabird hunting grounds offshore, and that lonely-cape vibe most people miss because it’s reached by boat or hard hike. Great for sunset/wildlife watching if weather allows.
- Veiðileysufjörður (hidden gem) — A narrow, sheltered fjord with a surprising mix of beaches, coves and bird life. It’s quieter than Hornvík and Hornbjarg, so you’ll often have beaches to yourself. The fjord’s shape funnels in sea-borne weather and light in a way that makes photography and quiet exploration rewarding — a spot locals quietly point to for solitude.
- Arctic fox territories around Hesteyri and Hornvík — Not a single landmark, but a region-wide, uniquely Hornstrandir wildlife experience. The arctic fox population here is tame compared to other places; watching them forage near old ruins or along tidal flats at dawn is a real highlight. Respect distances, don’t feed them, and bring patience — they reward quiet observers.
- Seabird stacks & islets off the northern coast — Small rock islands and stacks just offshore are loaded with nesting birds in summer — guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and the occasional puffin. You can get close by kayak or a calm-conditions boat trip; the density and accessibility of colonies here are a Hornstrandir specialty.
- Old turf-house ruins scattered through the fjords (hidden gem) — Walk any interior valley or shoreline and you’ll find turf foundations and low stone walls from vanished farms. They’re everywhere if you slow down — not dramatic single monuments, but human traces that tell the story of people who scraped a living here. Great for hikers who like archaeology-lite and quiet reflection.
- Rauðanes / small red-sand beaches (hidden gem) — Little stretches of colored sand and sheltered coves tucked into the shoreline — perfect for a windbreak picnic, a quick scrub, or low-tide exploring. Not a big tourist draw, but these tiny beaches feel like private pieces of the peninsula when you find one after a day on the trail.
- Inner fjord hiking routes (e.g., Hesteyrarfjörður approaches) — The combination of narrow fjord walls, stream-cut valleys and high tundra ridgelines makes for hikes that are rarely crowded and intensely local. These routes expose you to the way locals moved between seasonal farms and give a true sense of how dramatic terrain and light shaped everyday life here.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.