Trips for Nature Connection
iPhone photo diary from our Iceland Travels.
Knot Waste
Iceland
Ísafjörður and
Hesteyri
Abandoned Village
Our journey into Iceland’s remote Westfjords began in Ísafjörður, a historic fishing town surrounded by dramatic mountains, deep fjords and some of Iceland’s most spectacular untouched landscapes. From here, we took a scenic one-hour boat trip to Hesteyri, a deserted village within the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, one of Iceland’s most important wilderness areas and a stronghold for the protected Arctic fox. Hesteyri was once a small fishing community, but its isolated location and changing economic circumstances led residents to leave, with the village finally abandoned in 1952; today, the absence of roads and permanent residents has allowed nature to reclaim much of the landscape.
The village’s old houses sit among wild vegetation, mountains, birdlife and coastline, while curious Arctic foxes can sometimes be spotted exploring around the settlement. The former Doctor’s House has been given a new lease of life as a seasonal café and hostel for visitors and hikers. It's a fascinating meeting point between Hesteyri’s human history and the wild nature that now surrounds it.
Copyright Knot Waste: Hesteryri Village, Iceland - Hesteyri is an abandoned village on the edge of the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve in the Westfjords of Iceland.
Copyright Knot Waste: Hesteryri Village, Iceland - The village has no roads and was completely deserted by 1952 after its whaling and herring industries.
Copyright Knot Waste: Hesteryri Village, Iceland - It's accessible only by boat from Ísafjörður, which takes about 1 hour to get there.
Copyright Knot Waste: Hesteryri Village, Iceland - Founded in the late 19th century as a Norwegian whaling station, it later shifted to a herring processing factory.
Copyright Knot Waste: Ísafjörður, Iceland - Ísafjörður is a town in the Westfjords region of northwest Iceland.
Copyright Knot Waste: Hesteryri Village, Iceland - Around 80 people lived in the settlement during its busiest years.
Copyright Knot Waste: Hesteryri Village, Iceland - Dwindling fish stocks and extreme isolation caused families to leave through the late 1940s and early 1950s.
Copyright Knot Waste: Hesteryri Village, Iceland - Known locally as Læknishúsið (The Doctor's House) is now a cafe serving coffee and pancakes.
Copyright Knot Waste: Hesteryri Village, Iceland - Scenic coastal paths connect the old settlement to neighboring fjords and valleys for day-long or short walks.
Copyright Knot Waste: Ísafjörður, Iceland - The old town has wooden houses with corrugated tin roofs built by fishing merchants in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Copyright Knot Waste: Hesteryri Village, Iceland - Even in the summer, weather in the village can change really quickly. Warm clothes, something waterproof, and a good pair of boots are almost essential if you want to enjoy your visit.
Copyright Knot Waste: Hesteryri Village, Iceland - Part of the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve,there are several hundred Arctic foxes across Iceland which are completely protected from hunting. In winter, the harsh weather keeps the tourists away, so the foxes use the summer houses as shelter. In the summer, they've also learnt to scavenge for food at the local cafe.
Copyright Knot Waste: Hesteryri Village, Iceland - You can only access the village during summer, as winter conditions are too harsh. It's a tough crossing on a little boat in wild sea conditions!
Copyright Knot Waste: Hesteryri Village, Iceland - Descendants of original residents still maintain several houses as seasonal summer cabins.
Copyright Knot Waste: Ísafjörður, Iceland - If you wander around the area, you'll find many warehouses and stacks of fish being put on ice for distribution.
Copyright Knot Waste: Ísafjörður, Iceland - The Westfjords Heritage Museum has exhibits on the town’s maritime history, including a collection of old fishing boats.
Copyright Knot Waste: Ísafjörður, Iceland - A dog park decorated with a nature inspired mural along its walls.
Copyright Knot Waste: Hesteryri Village, Iceland - From nature activities to nature crafts. One of our upcycled handbags inspired by the dramatic Icelandic landscapes.
Copyright Knot Waste: Hesteryri Village, Iceland - The only piece of litter seen on the trip to the village.
Copyright Knot Waste: Hesteryri Village, Iceland - The Old Doctor’s House operates as a remote waterfront guesthouse and hostel, which you can book a stay in durng the summer months.
Copyright Knot Waste: Hesteryri Village, Iceland - Hornstrandir Nature Reserve is a protected area. You can often see arctic foxes, seabirds, and seals enjoying life by the shore.
Copyright Knot Waste: Hesteryri Village, Iceland - Hunting is banned in the area, so the arctic foxes aren't scared. They'll often walk close to tourists or hikers. They are still wild animals, tough.. So, no petting them like a dog!
Copyright Knot Waste: Hesteryri Village, Iceland - The remote, nutrient-rich subarctic waters around Ísafjörður and Hesteyri Abandoned Village are among the most biodiverse marine habitats in Iceland.
Copyright Knot Waste: Hesteryri Village, Iceland - Although you probably won't see puffins in the village, thousands of puffins nest on nearby Vigur Island and Æðey Island. So, you'll defintely see them flying past on your boat trip across.
Copyright Knot Waste: Hesteryri Village, Iceland - Other popular birds in the area are black guillemots, Arctic terns, northern fulmars, and rare white-tailed sea eagles.
Copyright Knot Waste: Ísafjörður, Iceland - It's the largest town on the peninsula, and your go-to spot for grabbing a boat trip to explore the rugged landscapes and protected surrounding wilderness.
Copyright Knot Waste: Ísafjörður, Iceland - Alongside fleeting puffins, you can spot humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, and porpoises on a baot trip.
Copyright Knot Waste: Ísafjörður, Iceland - The introduction of the national fisheries quota system in the 90s restricted local catches. Industrial fishing in the area reduced and the community shifted more towards tourism connected to the sea.
Copyright Knot Waste: Hesteryri Village, Iceland - Scheduled ferry boats and guided tours run daily between Ísafjörður and Hesteyri Abandoned Village during the summer months. It's the only way to get there!