Hiking 60 Miles Alone in Hornstrandir Iceland - Hiking Guide

Hiking 60 Miles Alone in Hornstrandir Iceland - • Solo Hiking 60 Miles i...
Map - alltrails.com/explore/map/map...
Day 1 - alltrails.com/explore/recordi...
Day 2 - alltrails.com/explore/recordi...
Day 3 - alltrails.com/explore/recordi...
Day 4 - alltrails.com/explore/recordi...
Boat Tours:
westtours.is/en/hornstrandir/...
boreaadventures.com/boat_tours

[@ERIKNORDLING]

Hey Kraig. I ate at that restaurant late September 2022 so I can confirm it’s still open. The owner was so welcoming and friendly and as you say it is by far the best seafood I’ve ever had! I believe they are only closed for the winter and then will open back up again before peak tourist season. Cheers and thanks for making such inspiring content!

[@kraigadams]

Yeah makes sense. Realized that it's closed only because it's Winter totally

[@AlaskanTapes]

Thank you so much for allowing my music to be part of this video, it's one of the top thing's I point to when people ask about my career, haha!

[@DaveInLAS]

Alaskan Tapes & Kraig Adams, thank you both for being a strong calming vibe in my life 🙏🏻✨ If you guys are ever in Vegas please come over to our home for dinner. My wife is Italian and can cook anything better than on The Strip 🍲 🥩

[@PoojaShravan]

Hey Kraig!! We remember KZbin recommending your Hornstradir video to us around the beginning of the lockdown here in India. We were so inspired by it that we ended up travelling to Iceland immediately after the lockdowns ended. Unfortunately we couldn't do Hornstradir as the roads were closed around the time we went. But we did many other smaller hikes around Iceland and ended up making travel films about all of them. We have learnt a great deal about filmmaking and hiking by just watching your videos ever since. Thank you so much for inspiring us. More power to you. Hugs from India ❤❤❤

[@levonhill]

❤

[@AnjithD]

All your videos are magical. Iceland is the most beautiful destination ever. One place I wanna visit before I die. Thank you so much for that experience. 😇

[@CalebGallanger]

Thank you for always making amazing videos!

[@alexandrosmourtzos4778]

Did this hike last August and your video inspired me!

[@lilyryles4584]

Thank you for this! I have re-watched that video so many times. It brings me so much peace

[@vibol03]

I'm so glad that I am one of the 1 percenters that watch Adam's videos from beginning to the end.

[@diamondmusicz]

That place is simply gorgeous and that's why there's no words needed, well done 🙌🙌🙌

[@auroraburora8249]

I honestly think this was the first video of yours I watched that really sucked me into your content!! It was just absolutely magical 😍

[@nguyencs]

Because of that video, I have it planned for this summer. Thank you coming back to it!

[@dastanabilev]

Craig, I think you have to do this type of explaining videos to EVERY your video. So informative and grounding. Your main video is inspirational, but this video is supportive and helps people decide whether they really want to visit the place. Also, big respect for transparency.

[@BVDtwentyseven]

He does it often at the end of his hiking vids

[@AmbientWalking]

Looking forward to a new trip with you on your amazing channel. Amazing journeys. Thanks a lot for them. : )

[@ahota84]

so glad you're doing more of these type of videos! I appreciate the traveling and the behind the scenes parts greatly as Im not as strong of a hiker.

[@Word187]

It's the Hornstrandir video that made me subscribe to you! Since then I binged all of your content and I listen to your recently new podcast on Spotify. Keep it up! :)

[@Sol_av]

Unreal views, thanks a lot for your job👍⛰️

[@zeo5527]

The Hornstrandir hike was the first video of yours I found back when it only had a couple hundred thousand views and I knew you were gonna become massive off of it. Awesome to see what you've done. I think a lot of people who made videos like these used to undersell the importance of the production for these videos. You really nailed the aesthetic and I've seen a lot of newer people who took inspiration from your style.

[@lheurebleue5025]

I like this format Kraig, this kind of videos are very useful to have an idea of what to do or how to plan a trip to those locations. highly appreciate it, THANK YOU (:

[@erikvanderheide1440]

Thank you, very interesting vid. Looking forward to a Picos de Europa video, I was planning on doing that one this or next year

[@KillerTacos54]

Fantastic video!

[@andersjohansson1502]

Great job done! I really like this type of "behind the scean video"! Makes the original video even better! Thanks!

[@Paula-lm7ox]

Love closing out with the artic fox friend.

[@levb.7338]

I've been here twice. Wonderful place.

[@dovidloewenstern7005]

Hey Craig, this video throws me back to summer of 2013 when i went to hornstrandir for a week too. We went later in Isafyordur to a mud-soccer festival weekend. thanks for this video!

[@sherryflavour3791]

I think this video coming out with the hype of death strading, which has a similar type of environment, definitely had an impact as well.

[@clarkmadrosen1780]

Excellent. Been to Iceland in Oct, and no flies.😀

[@trundlesome1]

It was a great video and deserved its success. After seeing it I decided to do a similar hike there earlier this year. I had never really considered Iceland before so thanks for the inspiration. I thoroughly enjoyed the trek although I definitely found it a challenge as the route doesn't have well formed paths and visibility can be awful with the volatile weather. My recommendations would be to take a personal locator beacon (PLB) in case of emergency, take a very robust wind proof tent and visit the specific tourist office for Hornstrandir in Isafjordur that no-one seems to know about as the Icelanders don't seem to market it well: it is on Silfurgata in Isafjordur. They can give useful advice and sell proper maps for hiking in Hornstrandir.

[@Dojocat10]

Kraig i hike bcs of yours video we love your works 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@sm0k345]

good video, (both). on my list, you inspired me to go hiking

[@jeremy1350]

I loved the Iceland hike, also the Picos de Europa was my other favorite. Alaska and Chile were right up there as well.

[@giuliosmor]

Yes! THAT restaurant! I was in Isafjordur in 2010 and I still remember it as one the best restaurants I've ever been to. Hope it's not closed for good.

[@luckygoose8889]

Hi Kraig, awesome guide as always! I'd love to see a guide on your Tour De Mont Blanc expedition. It's one of the next big excursions I'm planning to do (hopefully this summer 🤞...) I loved your video of it; so if you were to share some more finite details of the hike, it would be greatly appreciated!

[@Outdoor.pixels]

I can't believe the view duration was only 4 minutes. I always thought for a video to go viral the view percentage needs to be like 80% that's interesting. Thanks for showing that!

[@levonhill]

Iceland is a beautiful destination

[@alexmartinezfoto8946]

Fun fact about Alaskan Tapes. I watched a live stream of his and told him I found his music via this short film of yours. He said he would love to score one of your films. Definitely looking forward to more of these tutorials for the other hikes along with the live streams.

[@OneManArmy1906]

that video it's my favorite! whish I can get there in the near future:)

[@maximenadon8005]

Went to Tjöruhúsið in September, absolutely amazing! I believe they may just be closed for the winter.

[@gojozabil]

I don't remember how I found your video but it was grabbed me immediately and we did also a hike on Hornstrandir in 2021. Actually the boat companies are the same. Fun fact:when we returned back from Hornstrandir they came approx. an hour earlier how they should. Everyone started to pack the tents. I had a nice chat with a captain and he said sometimes they come a bit earlier sometimes a bit later. I think he just made a joke to us🤣 However they never leave anyone behind, but they made a second round if needed.

[@diegobenjaaa]

Please do Picos de Europa next! I want to do it this summer

[@driandelacruz2392]

Nice vid Kraig

[@mariosso3363]

I watched the video in 2019 and hiked the trail in 2021 after i turned 18. It was my first real hike ever haha

[@ChilsonTV]

thanks Kraig!

[@Tips4_Trips]

Interesting video 👍

[@kadeeeartiaga]

that video saved ny boring days during the lockdown! hahaha

[@FabioMeloLuiz]

Very good your video. I love your channel and everything you share. I'm a professional photographer and I'm transitioning to landscape photography. Your channel is an inspiration! Oh! I saw that you recorded with André Pilli. Very good! It cost Hug from Brazil!

[@ryana6961]

Would definitely be interested in the livestream format. If you could leave room for Q&A that'd be awesome.

[@hikesome]

The missing piece, finally we got it ;) Great guide Kraig. If you should ever consider stopping making hiking videos you should consider doing a Hornstrandir 2.0 before retirement

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

I'm looking at that landscape and want to explore the mountains on the far right of that island.

[@michaeladavienna]

Love all your videos. If you go live please consider a time that would also fit working people in Europe :)

[@BriannaWilkins-kd1hk]

Thank you so much for making this follow up video! My friend and I are doing our first over night hiking trip in a few weeks to Hornstrandir. Did you have to have a permit to fly a drone in the nature reserve or at the bird cliffs?

[@mori_of_dudes]

Kraig Adams and Alaskan Tapes, You are ambient wizards

[@mercatorcooper8247]

Excellent video, it motivated me to do the same hike (which was the first of several of yours I've now done). The beautiful scenery and remoteness were what sold me on it. But I would give any prospective hikers a warning, this is an ADVANCED hike. There is no trail for much of the route (I would have been quite lost without the ability to use All Trails), there is a lot that is boggy where you have to trudge through ankle-deep marsh, and there are a lot of water crossings. These range from small streams to the inlet that you need to cross to get to the Horn, which was over 6-feet deep of freezing water when I arrived. Despite all that, it is still worth it : )

[@pogonoforysci]

I second this comment. Kraig makes this hike look very easy but it's not. Take hiking poles, crampons for snow (even in the summer), rain gear, satellite navigation with emergency beacon function if possible. Be mindful of tide times for river crossings at the beach (I had to hike multiple extra miles because I arrived to one of the campsites in the evening and couldn't cross a river that was right in front of it due to high tide). VERY IMPORTANT: sandals with sturdy straps for river crossings. Some of the rivers are very fast and will wash away normal flip flops

[@alwaysanotheradventure]

It's a great video and I plan to head there this year. Did you have any issues regarding the drone? I see they are banned in Hornstrandir and other protected areas without a permit from the Iceland Environmental Agency, and they charge 41600ISK to even consider the permit. Was that the case when you were there please?

[@bartomiejmierzwa5446]

Just in case - this company is Sjoferdir, not Borea Adventures - and the booking of the ticket to the boat is by West Tours (tour operator). I was working in Sjoferdir as a guide at the time :D Great video!

[@xDAceName]

wow THX !!!!!

[@sp00l]

When will yopu be visiting beautiful New Zealand?

[@e.battraw3934]

Hey Kraig! If your still looking for a good brand of socks I can't help but suggest Darn Tough Vermont. It's magical.

[@martypemberton6970]

Tjorujusid is not closed.... they close occasionally during the week or winter... but it is still thriving!

[@Pytte]

those places like the restaurant in Isafjordur, will only be open in the summer..

[@steveeb9567]

Interesting to see the analytics. One measurement that might be interesting to see is play back speed. I watch most KZbin videos at 1.5x speed. The sweet spot for video length is 5-10 minutes depending on subject. Anything longer and I tend to look elsewhere.

[@jimmymaley422]

with all these adventures over the years, have any unusual or hilarious moments you experienced? would love to hear those stories

[@TravelosophyTV]

Could you link the camera you was using?

[@TravelosophyTV]

My dream is to do a solo hike, but me being scared have set me back for years. Solution? Iceland! 1. Iceland around June, almost 24 hours of sun. 2. Iceland do not have any dangerous animals. I've felt lost for a very long time, I'm 31 and have no direction in life. So I'm gonna do this hike the summer 2024. Thank you for a great guide.

[@Italover]

Is it possible for you to climb Monte Roraima one day? 🇧🇷

[@jacobgelbart3609]

omw to iceland

[@kt1809]

Knowing you have to make the boat reservation seems so stressful

[@filippoBTV]

The restaurant is open only during the summer period 😉

[@johnthompson8145]

Kraig, your videos are outstanding, and I enjoy them very much. But in the spirit of constructive criticism, please count how many times you say "like" in this one.

[@bc0nlee]

I see there are a few folks in the comments that have recently done this Hike. I'll be there in August. Are there any food storage containers at the Hornvik camp area? Wondering if it is necessary to store food away from tents and while out on day hikes to the Horn to prevent foxes from getting into things. Our plan is to take the boat to Veiðileysufjörður and hike north to Hornvik campground, setup camp and then excursion to the Horn the next day. The plan is to leave camp setup and carry less gear for the Horn loop, coming back to camp one more night. We'll then hike back to Veiðileysufjörður on day three to catch the return boat. Any insight would be appreciated!

[@pogonoforysci]

Hornvik campsite has a rangers hut and an emergency shelter pod not too far away. The rangers might let you store your food or you could leave it in the pod. However, in my experience it was not necessary. The foxes come up to the campsite but they don't tear into tents

[@pogonoforysci]

Also, keep in mind that Kraig hikes very fast and seems to carry very little gear and food. You have to take his info with a grain of salt and adjust the expected marching times for your abilities. The terrain in Hornstrandir is quite challenging. I highly recommend you take hiking poles with you. The pass between Veiðileysufjörður and Hornvik is likely to have snow even in the summer so lightweight crampons might be a good idea. You also need to be prepared for multiple stream and river crossings. Take lightweight sandals with straps. It's important to be able to securely fasten them to your feet. Some of the streams are very fast (and very cold) and will take away normal flip flops. Check tide times for Hornvik. There is a very wide river that needs to be crossed to get from Hornvik to the Horn. Depending on the time of day, the crossing can get challenging (or impossible if you want to use the crossing at the beach)

[@balazsgyurak4551]

Thanks Kraig. I have been obsessing over Hornstrandir even before I saw your hiking video. Would you recommend this as a first "proper" multi-day hike? I am an experienced day hiker, but I never done anything more than an overnight trip. Also, a lot of the official guides say you must have 4 season tent & sleeping bag for this area (even during the summer), as the weather can be quite unpredictable and dangerous. Would you say it's OK to go with 3 season equipment and non-waterproof trail running shoes? Thanks so much!

[@Matthijs704]

I spent 12 days on Hornstrandir in 2018. I recommend doing some other multi-day hikes first. It is a hard one to start your multi/day career with. You will have to have your food situation dialled in perfectly since there is no shopping or getting behind schedule on this inlet. If you miss your boat, you are screwed. Also, keep in mind that the weather can be very harsh. Definitely pack for winter-like conditions. I was there in late august. The last thing you want to consider is your confidence in navigating with a map. Do not rely on your phone in this place. You will have to navigate the place without a proper clear trail or most of the time any trail at all and of course no signs. One of the things I found tough due to spending 12 days instead of a few was that I had to adjust my hiking itinerary and plans constantly due to weather conditions and how my body was functioning. I surely had some dangerous situations with the weather and river crossings because of the weather. So make sure you know what to do in a hazardous situation. But, when you are confident that you know how to pack and plan your food for a multi-day hike, know how to navigate with a map en definitely bring layers for very cold conditions. GO FOR IT! This place is very very very amazing and special. I spent hours watching the polar foxes play just 2 meters away from me in front of my tent or along the trail. Also, I really think this is the perfect place to do a solo hike if you never did before. It cleans your soul and mind.

[@dietergraser3640]

​@@Matthijs704 Thank you Matthijs, let me underline every word you wrote. Especially about the need of navigation skills and route planning.

[@dietergraser3640]

in Iceland be always prepared for the worst conditions. This means at least a high end 3 season tent.Even there are days that file like summer, there is normally no season like this in Iceland - at least in the eyes of Non-Icelanders. As about trail runners: I know, all those who believe in UL will swear something else, but in my humble experience (several thousnds of miles and over 30 years of solo hiking in Iceland) they are a mess. Just have a look at 13:43. Looks funny, but the snow a bit harder, the slope a bit steeper ... Hiking poles and solid trekking boots are essential. Keep your feet always warm, dry and protected - you depend on them!

[@Matthijs704]

@@dietergraser3640 Definitely take hiking poles yes. Some descents are genuinely horrific and gruesome because of the weather. Pretty dangerous with a heavy pack and no poles. Remember you are in the middle of nowhere. I do always use trail runners on my thru-hikes. This does remind me that I didn't reply on the Goretex topic. Do not wear Goretex in these kinds of wet conditions!!! Your feet will get soaked anyway. Goretex will actually keep the moisture in. I found that wearing shoes that are leaky as hell combined with good merino socks will give you the feeling of dry feet within minutes after a river crossing, literally. Goretex shoes will stay wet for a long long time. So definitely go with the non-waterproof shoes and hiking poles.

[@balazsgyurak4551]

@@Matthijs704 thank you that's exactly what I thought! My trail runners have lots of mesh and dry easily. The reason I really want to go with trail runners instead of boots is my knees. Over the years I've found that any time I hike in big heavy boots, my knees always end up hurting at the end of the day. Since I'm wearing trail runners, this problem went away. So this is the main reason I want to do it in my trail runners (to protect my knees), and I'm wondering if it's foolish or not!

[@eyesofthemattwolf1403]

If I can remember those boots were uncomfortable.

[@davidversteegen]

Hi Kraig, great video! Do you need someone to hold the camera, while you hike live? Would love to help out :)

[@lazyyak1593]

Visit ladakh

[@dereksniper3094]

Kraig not using dark mode ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[@kraigadams]

easiest way to light a face for video

[@dereksniper3094]

@@kraigadams hahahahahaha well i guess that works lol

[@FamiliarAnomaly]

I take a healthy amount of bugs as the clear sign i'm now far enough away from the pollution of modern civilization

[@pogonoforysci]

It's actually very far from civilization and pollution. The bugs are there because some of the fjords are swamplands

[@sequoiasemperviren3163]

How to Hike Icelandic Wilderness in Hornstrandir: Be in shape!

[@Twobarpsi]

Flies ruin everything.

[@sm0k345]

not 4k

[@stefpix]

Isa - fyord - ur