The best hikes on the Faroe Islands: Our top 6 tips

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deep in the North Atlantic, a volcanic archipelago protrudes from the untamed waters between Iceland and Norway. These remote brackets from 18 basalt rocks form the Faroe Islands and house exciting fjords, dramatic cliffs and extensive glacier valleys.

These islands are repeated and relentlessly haunted by the fertilizers and storm gusts of the stormy Atlantic. Therefore, the Faroe Islands offer some really exciting hiking trails with equally extraordinary landscapes.

On the Faroe Islands, they are never further than 5 km from the sea, so that steep coastal cliffs, barn pins and foaming seagish are a matter of course when hiking. Add villages with peat roofs, falling waterfalls and a wealth of enchanting bird species, and the Faroe Islands are an excellent hiking destination.

We didn't miss the opportunity to go our way during our visit and found some real hiking jewels. Below we take a look at the best hikes on the Faroe Islands.

The best hikes on the map of the Faroe Islands

The map below shows the best hikes on the Faroe Islands, which are drawn on a downloadable Google card.

1. Gjögv

distance: 9km duration: 2-3 hourly difficulty: moderate

gjógv, the northernmost village on the island of Eysturoy, is named after a 200 m long gorge that leads from the village into the sea. There are several paths in the area that lead to viewpoints, but by far the most beautiful is the steep path that leads along the cliffs to the Ambadalur valley.

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Since the foaming North Atlantic is never far away, the dramatic embankment rises above the village and offers impressive views in all directions. As soon as you turn away from the coast and cross the valley, Búgvin's huge rocky lead appears before the path makes a loop back to the village.

2. Mykines

distance: 7km duration: 2-3 hourly difficulty: light

Mykines is the westernmost island of the Faroe Islands and home of a large colony of Faröic or Atlantic parrot divers. The autolosis island with its colorful dwellings, the wave -fliped cliffs, the foaming sea view and the striking lighthouse is already seductive in itself. However, they are the charming parrot divers who nestle on the cliffs and who really steal the show.

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We were a little too early for the high season of the breeding season, which lasts from mid -June to August, so most of the parrot divers were still at sea. However, we were deeply enchanted by the dozens of parrot diving, whom we met by chance.

Mykines is the most fragile of the Faroe Islands and visitors must therefore follow strict guidelines when hiking. Want-hikers have to pay a fee of 100 DKK (15 USD) to use the path. Read our contribution to Mykines to learn more about one of the best hikes on the Faroe Islands.

3. See Sørvágsvatn

distance: 9km duration: 3-4 hourly difficulty: light

One of the most popular hikes on the Faroe Islands is the hike along the banks of the Sørvágsvatn to the viewpoints at Trælanípa and the Bøsdalafossur waterfall. The path leads past the largest lake of the Faroe Islands before branching off the steep coast of Trælanípa.

trælanípa (slave rock) allegedly has its name when the Vikings drove their unwanted slaves into the sea.

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  • Alt = "Hiking at the See Sørvágsvatn"> The famous view of "The Lake above the Ocean"
Atlas & Boots, Shutterstock

When you look back from the cliffs of Trælanípa to the lake, you give the impression that Sørvágsvatn is located on the cliffs far above the sea (although it is actually a little further back and is only 30-40 m higher). The route continues around the headland to the Bøsdalafossur waterfall, where the lake hits the sea. Furthermore, the characteristic sea stack of Geiisskoradrangur is.

The Sørvágsvatn lake is one of several hiking trails on the islands, for which a fee for walking in private country is charged. From 2019, visitors will have to pay 200 DKK ($ 30) per adult to hike.

4. Slættaratndur

distance: 7km duration: 2-3 hourly difficulty: medium-heavy

The Slættaratndur is the highest mountain of the Faroe Islands at 880 m. The name means "flat summit" and on clear days all 18 islands of the Faroe Islands can be seen from the summit.

Alt = “best hikes on the Faroe Islands Slættaratndur”> Alexander Vujadinovic/CC by 2.0 On clear days, all 18 islands can be seen from the summit

It is possible to hike from the village of Gjógv to the summit, which takes about four hours. However, most of them do the much shorter hike from the parking lot on the roadside near Eiðisskarð. You can either hike directly to the summit and return on the same way (the fastest) or go left around after the summit to enjoy more from the view to the west.

If you are on the Faroe Islands during the summer solstice (the longest day of the year between June 20 and 22), you should join the Faroe Islands who traditionally climb to watch the sunset in the late day and to start again shortly afterwards.

5. Saksun to Tjørnuvík

distance: 14km duration: 5-6 hourly difficulty: medium-heavy

The remote village of Saksun is a popular destination on the island, but only a few visitors make the hike up and via the Pass Tjørnuvíksskarð to the neighboring village of Tjørnuvík.

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Located in a natural amphitheater on a lagoon, the tiny and remote village of Saksun with its frenzy, a lonely church and only 14 inhabitants is known for its calm atmosphere and the dramatic surrounding mountains. Most visitors will simply walk down to the sandy beaches and visit the unique, free -standing church.

The simple hike along a series of stone piles to Tjørnuvík is very worthwhile. The descent to the village offers an excellent view of the needy rock needles of Eiðiskollur at the top of the neighboring island of Eysturoy.

If you can organize transport, this can be done as a simple hike, which halves the distance and time. Likewise, it can also be done in the opposite direction from Tjørnuvík, although they will always have the best views.

6. Drangarnir

Distance: 12 km duration: 3-4 hourly difficulty: Medium

The famous rock needles near Drangarnir and the small island of Tindhólmur are some of the best -known landmarks (sea sign?) The Faroe Islands. Pictures of them are used in countless advertising materials, from the on -board magazine of the national airline to local salmon farms.

alt = “Drangarnir is one of the best hikes on the Faroe Islands”> Swen Stroop/Shutterstock The two rock needles and the five-summit island of Tindhólmur

Drangarnir consists of two rock needles - the arched Stóri Drangur and the Lítli Drangur - which can be translated as a big and small rock needle. They are limited by the imposing five -summit island of Tindhólmur.

The hike must be undertaken with a guide, since the path leads through private land that is an important food and breeding area for cattle and wild animals. Guided hikes take place from April 1 to October 1 at 12:00 p.m. Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays and cost 550 DKK (85 USD) per person. Book over hiking.fo.

The best hikes on the Faroe Islands: The most important

What: Discover the best hikes on the Faroe Islands.

Where: We stayed in The Old Millar House, a charming house, 1 km from the city center. The cottage is warm and cozy with a traditional peat roof and access to a grotto -like garden.

There is a beach just a few meters away (although it could be too cool to swim!) And the Sandá river flows practically right on the doorstep. If you want to get to know the nightlife of the Faroe Islands, you may want to live closer to the center, but for those who like to retreat to cozy evenings, the Old Millar House is an excellent option.

Click here to get a discount on your first stay at Airbnb, or find an alternative accommodation on Booking.com. 

  Booking.com
 

 When: The best time to travel for the Faroe Islands is from May to September.  The late spring brings long days (perfect for hiking), wildflowers and of course parrot divers.  From mid -June to mid -August, the parrot divers flock to nesting.  For two weeks on both sides you will probably still see some. 


 like: We rented a car at 62 ° N Car Rental and navigated with Google Maps and the built -in navigation device over the island.  Driving on the Faroe Islands is uncomplicated, the streets are in good condition, easy to navigate and rarely drive up.  There are free parking spaces at all important sights.  Read our guidelines for driving on the Faroe Islands for more information. 


 To visit Mykines, you have to take a ferry from the port of Sørvágur (on Vagar).  Check mykines.fo for the timetable ('travel plan') and book your tickets in advance. 


 A handful of hiking trails on the Faroe Islands have introduced restrictions on access to the area and either require a fee or require a guide.  You can find an overview of these locations here. 


 Visit Faroe Islands has also published a hiking guide that covers 23 hiking routes and contains a lot of practical information.  It can be called online or downloaded as a PDF. 


 hiking.fo Finally, an excellent resource with many proposed routes and several guided hikes for many of the popular routes. 


 We flew to the Faroe Islands with Atlantic Airways.  Book flights over Skyscanner. 


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 Mission statement: Swen Stroop/Shutterstock 


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