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Kambsdalur - Ánir

Above the beginning in the village Kambsdalur. Just below, by the red house, we see the parking lot where the village path begins. In the background the village Fuglafjørður. Photo: Óli Gardshodn
The large cairn by the river Gunnarsgil just above the village Kambsdalur, which was made as part of the project Closed for Maintenance 2022. In the background the mountain Ritufjall, 641 m. Photo: Óli Gardshodn
The view up from Skarðsbrúgv, close to the lake Trælavatn. Below is the village Kambsdalur and in the background the village Fuglafjørður. Photo: Óli Gardshodn
The view from the lake Trælavatn down over the village Fuglafjørður. To the right in the background the North Islands. Photo: Óli Gardshodn
Lake Trælavatn up on the pass Trælavatnaskarð (366 m.) between Kambsdalur and the fjord Skálafjørður. Photo: Óli Gardshodn
View from the pass Trælavatnaskarð over the fjord Skálafjørður. Photo: Óli Gardshodn
View up from the valley Ánadalur over the fjord Skálafjørður. Just below us at 160 m. altitude, we see a stone collection that they used to store the peat in. This was the peatland of the settlements Syðrugøta, Skipanes and Søldafjørður. Photo: Óli Gardshodn
When the wood is dry and ready to be transported home, it was carried down to a height of about 100 meters, where a hoist carried it down to the beach where the rowboats lay. Photo: Óli Gardshodn

This route includes a hike across Trælavatnaskarð, where the lake, views and bird are exceptional.

The route starts by the telephone mast between Børkugøta 65 and 69, where a sign demonstrates the trail up towards Trælavatn (Slave Lake). First, you will walk around the old peatlands, which belonged to Fuglafjørð. The way towards Skarðsbrúgv (Skarðs bridge) is decently marked with cairns and poles. Further up at Skarðsbrúgv, the path splits; the eastern route on the left leads to Ánir and the other leads to Skálafjørð. The way to Ánir is not marked, so it is vital to carefully keep to the left side when heading upward on the slope under Skarðsbrúgv, across the gorge and then straight forward towards the entrance of Trælavatn.

It is gorgeous to walk up and look across the lake. In this spot, we recommend taking a minute to rest and appreciate the beautiful view spanning Fuglafjørð and all the mountains surrounding the village. If the skies are clear, you can also see across the island of Kalsoy and the regal island of Kunoy. Once you are ready, walk on the lake's east side and follow the cairns. Do not confuse these cairns with the western cairns, which take you down towards Skálafjørð.

Whilst in this area, we recommend taking notice of the rich bird wildlife. During the summer, there is a large herring gull in this area. You may likely also see oystercatchers, geese and other ground-nesting birds. Perhaps you will see a pair of red-throated loons which tend to keep to this area.

Continue across Trælavatnaskarð and continue straight through the Vátakopparnar. Here the view is breathtaking on the south side towards Skálafjørð—all the way south towards the island of Nólsoy. Through Ánadal, which takes you downward towards Ánir, most of the cairns have fallen apart and are not easy to spot. By Ánadal's crag, it is steep; however, the route is grassy and walkable throughout. In this area, there was a lot of peat in the past, which is evident through the conditions of the terrain. Additionally, this is evident through the presence of peat sheds, which locals from Søldaførð, Skipanes and Syðrugøta used. A telpher line from the lowest crag, called Hvítthjalli, stood at about 100-meters high inside the fjord and was used to transfer peat down to boats. This telpher line is located around where the path to Syðrugøta starts.

Locals from Fuglafjørð likely used these paths when they were conveyed out of Tórshavn or the southern side of the eastern arm of Skálafjørð. However, after the road opened in 1922, this path was no longer used.

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Kambsdalur-Ánir Ánir-Kambsdalur

Kambsdalur - Ánir

Ánir - Kambsdalur

Kambsdalur - Ánir

Route 400 stops in Gøtudal, where you change to Route 410, which stops at Kambsdali.

Route 400: https://www.ssl.fo/en/timetable/bus/400-klaksvik-torshavn/

Route 410:https://www.ssl.fo/en/timetable/bus/410-fuglafj-gotudalur-klaksvik/

Parking in Kambsdalur:

There is an opportunity for parking where the route starts by the telephone mast between Børkugøta 65 and 69. We recommend parking your car by the corner—refer to the green line and the blue line directing to the village road.

Ánir - Kambsdalur

There are no bus connections to Ánir. The closest routes are 440 and 400, which stop in Skálafjørð.

Route 440 drives around Skálafjørð, whilst route 400 drives from Tórshavn to Klaksvík.

From there, it is an 1800-meter walk to where the route starts.

Route 440: https://www.ssl.fo/en/timetable/bus/440-skalafjardarleidin/

Route 400: https://www.ssl.fo/en/timetable/bus/400-klaksvik-torshavn/

Parking in Ánir:

There is no decent parking in Ánir, as the closest parking spaces are 1.3km north of the start, close to the high road. From there, you must walk along the highway to where the path starts. Additionally, you must climb over the fence at some point as there is no gate.