Good to know before heading into the reserve
The only way to get to the Hornstrand Nature Reserve is by boat, and the journey can take anywhere from one hour to two and a half hours or even longer.
Sailing time may vary depending on the weather and passengers may experience seasickness during the longest boat trips. On the other hand, we do not recommend that people take seasickness medicine, as it can have a sedating effect and spoil the person's experience once ashore.
It is important to check the weather forecast before setting off for a few days of walking around Hornstrandir, and it is important to keep in mind that the weather can change with little notice.
When walking around Hornstrandir, good footwear is absolutely key. The footpaths in the area are rocky and Hornstrandir's characteristic feature is the rough subsoil. It can therefore make a difference to have good shoes. You also have to regularly wade in the river, so it's a good idea to bring wading shoes or sandals.
There is no telephone and internet connection in Hornstrandir except on the highest mountain tops. It is therefore important that people buy tickets both over and back and submit an itinerary.
There are rangers in the area who walk between the areas, they have offices in Hornvík and Hesteyri that you can turn to in case of problems.
It is important to let Sjóferðir know if people decide to shorten their trips and take a different boat back than planned, as Sjóferðir's principle is that if people do not show up for the boat they have booked and nothing has been heard about changed plans, a search and rescue is started to find the missing persons.
Notification is required to enter the nature reserve in the period 1 September - 15 June and it is done on the website of the Environmental Agency.
You can register here: https://gogn.ust.is/hornstrandir/
Hornstrandir is a nature reserve, so it is important to remember to walk carefully around the area, what you take with you into the area will be taken back out, whether it is equipment or rubbish. We respect nature and other tourists, so we can all enjoy the area to the fullest.