Hornsund
The southernmost major fjord in Spitsbergen, ringed by glaciers and sharp peaks.
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Hornsund cuts into the southwestern corner of Spitsbergen and is ringed by more calving glacier fronts than any other Svalbard fjord, with the sharp peak of Hornsundtind rising above it and side bays full of ice. A Polish polar station on its northern shore, built for the 1957-58 International Geophysical Year, has run year-round since 1978. Bird cliffs at the mouth hold very large seabird colonies.
What you actually see
- The glacier fronts - more calving faces than any other fjord in Svalbard.
- Hornsundtind - the sharp peak rising above the fjord.
- The Polish station - built for 1957-58 and run year-round since 1978.
- The seabird cliffs - the large colonies at the fjord mouth.
When to go
June to September is the open-water season. Sea ice can block the mouth into early summer. Expedition ships call as part of longer circuits.
Honest expectations
There is no scheduled transport; access is by expedition ship or charter. Sea ice can prevent entry even in summer. The research station is a working facility and not a visitor site.
Nearby
South Spitsbergen National Park surrounds it, and Longyearbyen is far north.
What to pack for Hornsund
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.