Hiking Iceland's Hornstrandir Nature Reserve - Alumni

Join us on the farthest tip of Iceland’s Westfjords, three miles from the Arctic Circle, for a spectacular hiking challenge and unique chance to see the 2026 Solar Eclipse! The Hornstrandir Nature Reserve is a boat access only area with some of the most untouched hiking trails in the world. This is where waterfalls thunder down the mountains, the midnight sun kisses the sea and cliffs plummet to the ocean. Not only is this a spectacular region of the north to explore, we will be there for the 2026 total solar eclipse, with the path of totality crossing over our camp on August 12th.

The trip starts and ends in the remote village of Ísafjörður in the Westfjords. This small town of ~ 2700 is the launching point to the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, one of the only true backcountry wilderness areas in Iceland. We will spend our first night together in Ísafjörður in a hotel, check gear, dine out and prepare for departure the next day. 

The following day we will travel by boat from Ísafjörður to Hornstrandir and arrive at the small abandoned village of Hesteyri. That night we’ll have the pleasure of staying at the ‘Old Doctor’s’ house, the original house of the doctor who serviced the peninsula around 1901. He worked for the community as it grew larger due to the nearby whaling station, until the village’s abandonment in the 1950s when the station shut down. We’ll have time to explore the old whaling station ruins while we are in Hesteryri.

The next 8 days will be spent hiking clockwise around the peninsula. Hiking in the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve feels like stepping into another world where dramatic cliffs rise sharply from the Arctic Ocean. The terrain shifts constantly, from sweeping tundra and marshy lowlands to steep scree slopes and rugged headlands carved by centuries of wind and ice. Narrow trails wind along cliff edges overlooking bird-filled sea stacks, while inland valleys reveal quiet glacial basins and shimmering streams. The landscape’s raw isolation and ever-changing textures make every step both challenging and breathtaking.

What is a total solar eclipse you might wonder?

A total solar eclipse is a rare celestial event where the moon passes directly between the sun and earth, completely blocking the sun’s bright face and casting a shadow on Earth, creating temporary daytime darkness. During this brief period, known as totality, the sun’s glowing outer atmosphere, the corona, becomes visible as a halo.

Having the chance to see the total solar eclipse on August 12 is a once in a lifetime opportunity. It will feel otherworldly, as the landscape’s wide horizons and dramatic skies create a perfect backdrop for the event. As the moon begins to cover the sun, the light will dim across beaches and coastal cliffs, casting an eerie, bluish twilight over the terrain. During totality, the un’s corona will glow above the stark Icelandic landscape, and the world will fall into a brief, silent darkness.

Our NOLS trip is the first time hikers have had access to the historical family cabins in the area—a truly special highlight! The cabins are simple, having been built by a boat only access area with no roads. They have hot water and will be stocked with our meals and snacks for each day. This allows our packs to be lighter for the challenging hiking and long travel days. We will all share in the cooking and cleaning responsibilities, NOLS style expedition behavior, using Leave No Trace principles as we move from cabin to cabin. 

Toward the end of the trip, we’ll stay at the Hornvík Base Camp—a comfortable glamping setup with tents, cots, and a heated cook tent where we can relax together. A family of Arctic foxes lives nearby, and with a bit of luck, we may even catch a glimpse of them during our stay.

Our final days will be spent exploring the famous Hornbjarg Cliffs. Their sheer rock faces form a dramatic wall that curves along the peninsula, broken by narrow gullies, grassy ledges filled with summer flowers, and towering basalt formations. At the top, soft tundra slopes roll gently toward the cliff edge before dropping hundreds of meters to the ocean below. The cliffs are alive with bird colonies—especially guillemots—whose calls echo through the wind.

Join us for the first hiking expedition to Hornstrandir and our only trip timed with the total solar eclipse. Along the way, you’ll encounter all kinds of weather (sun, rain, snow, fog and wind), traverse varied terrain, and encounter plenty of water crossings. We’ll have endless hours of light to unwind in the evenings with hot meals and card games. It’s a chance to experience the Westfjord’s wild character and share a memorable NOLS adventure together. The trip will end in Ísafjörður with a fantastic dinner at one of the best seafood restaurants in the country, before you head back to Reykjavik the following day.

Overall:

*Unpredictable weather, long hiking days and rough, steep terrain make this trip challenging.