Paddle in the heart of nature by sea kayak in Hornstrandir

We meet back at our base at 8:00 for final checks before leaving Ísafjörður port on the 9:00 ferry. Our destination is Hesteyri , which was once the largest village in the Hornstrandir nature reserve.

After loading our kayaks and attending the safety briefing, we paddled a short distance along the coast to the old whaling station, operated by Norwegians in the late 18th century. After a quick photo stop, we set off again towards Kvíar Lodge . This crossing took us through two fjords, offering views of numerous waterfalls cascading from the towering cliffs above.

We'll make a few stops at beaches along the way to stretch our legs and enjoy the scenery. Upon arrival at the lodge, we'll settle into the house and turn on the sauna to relax our muscles. This farmhouse, built in 1921, is the only house in the valley; it was inhabited by the same family until they left in 1948 for Ísafjörður, seeking a less harsh life.

Kayak distance: 18 km

We leave most of our equipment at the farm to go sailing in the Lónafjörður fjord, which many consider the most beautiful in Iceland. It's a completely unspoiled place, without any trace of human presence.

The fjord is a true sanctuary for birds, and a huge colony of seals has made its home in the small bay of Sópandi . We'll follow the entire coastline for a long day of paddling, punctuated by relaxing breaks on the water. Back at the farm, we'll enjoy a well-deserved sauna and a delicious dinner.

Distance: 17 to 20 km

After a relaxing morning and a few good cups of coffee, we crossed the bay to the west shore of the fjord, near Höfði , to admire Leirufjörður fjord with the elegant Drangajökull glacier looming on the horizon. The name Leirufjörður (literally "the silt fjord") takes on its full meaning when you see the clay and silt carried by the glacial river of Drangajökull.

We have several options: we can dock in the small cove of Kjós for a hike on the nearby headland to get a better view of the glacier, or we can sail directly into Leirufjörður and walk towards the ice. Afterwards, we'll return to our cozy Kvíar mountain hut for dinner, following another memorable day in the great outdoors.

Distance: 15 to 18 km

Today, we leave Kvíar to begin the "camping" part of our expedition. We make sure we don't forget anything for the next three days. Our journey begins with crossing Jökulfirðir Bay, before following the coast towards Grunnavík Bay.

Along the way, we'll pass a stunning rock arch that we can walk under if the tide is high. It's also an excellent spot for observing porpoises near the shore, especially if the sea is calm. Weather permitting, we'll climb Maríuhorn (356 m), which offers a spectacular panoramic view of the entire fjord region. Finally, we'll set up camp near the beach to enjoy a delicious meal and a well-deserved rest.

Distance: 15 km

Today, we leave the Jökulfirðir glacial fjord system to enter the vast Ísafjarðardjúp bay. Along the way, we will pass magnificent waterfalls, rarely admired because they are almost inaccessible on foot.

We will continue our route along the Snæfjallaströnd coast to set up camp, either in the beautiful cove of Ytraskarð (20 km) or near the breathtaking Möngufoss waterfall (24 km), depending on the weather. We will end the day with a campfire on the beach while admiring the sunset.

Distance: 20 to 24 km

For our last day, our first stop will be Æðey Island. Inhabited by a single family during the summer months, it's a charming place to stop, relax, and experience the laid-back island lifestyle. The waters surrounding the island are literally teeming with puffins and other seabirds!

After this visit, we begin a long crossing (9 km) to Vigur Island. It is during this crossing that we have the best chance of spotting the humpback whales that frequent the bay during the summer. Listen carefully to hear the sound of their blows!

Although we won't be disembarking on Vigur, the birdlife there is just as incredible throughout the crossing. Puffins are everywhere on the island, often floating in large groups or launching themselves from the rocky outcrops. Watch them skip across the water's surface for our enjoyment during our final push to the small village of Súðavík ! A vehicle will pick us up there for the 20-minute drive to Ísafjörður.

We will be back in town around 4:00 PM , in time for the afternoon flight for those returning to Reykjavík.

Distance: 22 km