Enjoy this adventurous route to some of the most beautiful pearls in the Faroe Islands

SANDAVÁGUR (Á HÁLSI) - SLÆTTANES

The route starts at the parking lot á Hálsi before Sandavágur (also called Sandavágshálsur). Go diagonally to the left toward the gorge called Ravnagjógv and follow the path uphill. Here, you will find the first cairn on the cairn path. This is the old path that connected the villages of Sandavágur and Slættanes. All traffic between the settlements took place on this path.

After one to two kilometers, the terrain evens out, and you have a good view over a large part of Streymoy, the villages of Skælingur, Leynar and Kvívík, and the southern mountains of Skælingur and Sátan. Soon, the charming village of Vestmanna appears on the other side of the fjord. For many years, Vestmanna was a hub for traffic to Vágar and the airport. A ferry sailed between Vestmanna and Oyrargjógv, but was replaced by a subsea tunnel in 2002, the first of its kind in the Faroe Islands.

After about five kilometres, another cairn path crosses the path. This is the path between Sørvágur

and Oyrargjógv. Stay on your current route. It can be difficult to see the path and the next cairn in some places, but if you take your time, you will find them. By Fótamørsklettur, you will find a rather square stone next to the fence. This type of stone is called Hav. In ancient times, men used to compete by lifting the stone and seeing who was strongest. Be careful not to hurt your back if tempted to match your strength with the strong men of the Faroe Islands.

When you pass Tungufellið Lítla, the path separates into two. You must follow the lower of the cairns. The other is a horse path that leads into the mountains. Follow the cairns down through Skáardalur and soon you arrive in Slættanes.

There are a few houses in Slættanes, but they are usually empty because the village is uninhabited. The settlement has only been inhabited for a period of around one hundred years. A family moved to Slættanes in 1835 and spent the first five years alone in this desolate place. Others then arrived, and in 1940, 75 people lived in Slættanes. Sometimes there were even more people. In 1964, the last inhabitants of the village left.

SLÆTTANES - FJALLAVATN

From Slættanes you move up to Skoradalshálsur. You will find the path by the end of the road above the village. Follow the cairns uphill towards Skoradalshálsur.

On Skoradalshálsur you have a stunning view to the north of Streymoy, including the famous Vestmanna bird cliffs and Snubburnar, which - with its very sharp and steep shape - is one of the most beautiful mountains in the Faroe Islands. Here, you are at the threshold of some of the most beautiful places that Vágar has to offer.

Follow the path down to Reipsá, which is the river from the north end of Fjallavatn. The lake is the second largest lake in the Faroe Islands. The largest, Leitisvatn (also called Sørvágsvatn and Vatnið), is also on the island of Vágar.

From Skoradalshálsur you can choose a more offroad route down to Reipsá. You can walk towards the mountains in the north (on your right), follow the ridge westwards and then get back on the path again by Reipsá. The view is unique over the green hills and blue sea. However, be careful, as the terrain is very steep and there are some gorges, and the area downhill towards Reipsá is quite rocky and uneven. 

FJALLAVATN - GÁSADALUR

It can be difficult to cross Reipsá without getting your feet wet but try to find a place where the river runs slower. You cross Gullringsá, which is the stream that runs down the mountainside on the left.

Before going up, you must remember to glance towards Víkar, which is another uninhabited village. It was founded in 1833 but was abandoned in 1932. The settlement is indeed very remote, since the distance to the nearest village is about two hours on foot and in difficult terrain. The area is incredibly beautiful with the small beach in the hook, the green carpet of grass and steep Árnafjall towering over the area.

Follow the path diagonally uphill towards the mountain wall. It can be a little confusing here because it can look like there are several paths. But when you get further uphill and westwards, you will see the path that goes through Kálvarók more clearly. Beware of slippery rocks in some places on the way up. Follow the cairns through Jøkladalur and Kjógvadalur. Then you come up to Gresskarðadalur. Here, the path is difficult to see. Walk upwards by Bustin and further towards Bustardalur.

From Bustin, located at approximately 595 meter altitude, and further to Bustardal you have clear view of Árnafjall, which is the highest mountain in Vagar. Right behind you is Eysturtindur - second highest mountain in the island. Here, it's perfect to take a coffee break and enjoy the veiw of the light from the evening sun shadowing the mountains near you.