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Having ascended from Langasandur, go first south along Ryssheiðar and Slættin, a beautiful and pleasant plain just above Langasandur. From there, go straight up the hillside Stígarnir. This stretch is somewhat strenuous but is grass-covered and good to walk. The rest of the hike is easy.In Langasandshagi, first cross the beautiful river Norðara Gjánagjógvará, then continue on the plain for just over a kilometre until you reach the pass Streymneshálsur. From there, descend into the valley Saksunardalur, where you, for the most part, walk along the pleasant river Streymnesá and the steep area by the waterfalls called Streymnesfossar.When you have descended to level ground, go across Dalá, a beautiful river, where you will reach the main road. In summertime, when it is dry, it is fairly easy to cross the river if you have normal hiking boots. However, the rocks in the river may be slippery. If it is rainy, the river swells, making it necessary to wade through it. Another option is to walk about 800 metres up the river, where a bridge crosses it.Few people take this hike, making it a peaceful walk. The views over the strait between Streymoy and Eysturoy, the valley Saksunardalur and the surrounding mountains is both beautiful and varied.When crossing Dalá, look for the best place to cross. Weather permitting, it is possible to walk from the corner of the tributary between Dalá and Streymnesá, going a few metres down along the tributary and then straight across – as the gpx-file also shows.
See more detailsThe village path between Oyndarfjørður and Hellurnar is well marked, although there is no indication where the path starts at the main road.In Oyndarfjørður the path starts in the area á Høvdanum, where the new path begins down by the beach, about 800 metres before you reach the village cattle grid. Signposts are set in the grass to show where the path bridge crosses the river Laksá.From here, two paths lead to Hellurnar. One goes along the seashore while the older path, which is noted on a map of the Faroe Islands from 1900 goes a little bit further in from the seashore.The path over the bedrock by the seashore is the more scenic of the two. This path was worn well when ships arrived to unload fish. People came to receive the fish and laid it out on the bedrock to dry. This is probably why the place is called Hellurnar. The old landing quay can still be seen. The old handrails have been recently replaced (in 2019) and new handrails are installed to make the path safer.At Hellurnar, the old path starts just inside the graveyard while the seashore path begins after you have passed the bedrock between Rættarvegur 8 and 12. Both paths are marked with posts that are visible from the main road.The hike can be taken in either direction.
See more detailsStart by Leynavatn, where you can drive up the estuary Drangaósi and through the field of Oyrarnar as far as the car can go without crossing any deep rivers. The car can be parked on a sandy spit. From there walk into the valley along the river Dalá. Having come some way past Restaurant KOKS, located by the gorge, use the steppingstones to cross the river. Continue at an angle up to the sandy area call Navurtungan, where you cross the wide, beautiful river Ærgisá. With a lovely view of the valley, continue up along the river, cross the pass Goturshálsur and go down into the valley Heygadalur.Having reached the first rise, you will see the first cairn of many, standing at close intervals, all the way down to the river in Heygadalur. Up high, the cairns are both large and close to one another, so it is easy to follow the path. However, the village path between Kvívík and Hvalvík cross your path at Goturshálsur. Therefore, take care that you follow the right cairns.At Goturshálsur, you walk through Ognarhagin, the largest sheep pastures in the Faroes, with a base population of 500 ewes in winter. This is also the largest area of registered land in the Faroe Islands, about 15 km2.Approaching Vestmanna, walk down to Heygadalur through the hill Tvørbrekkan. Here you will cross a wide river and continue along the river down to a road leading into Vestmanna. This river is one of the beautiful features of the valley.It is easy to cross the big rivers in high summer. However, it can be far more difficult during other seasons, sometimes impossible.
See more detailsThe hike between Funningur and Svínáir, where you ascend into the heights, is both challenging and beautiful. The walk takes about three hours.As it is not marked, the village path is difficult to find as well as difficult to spot throughout the hike. Therefore, a GPS-file is necessary.The terrain is grass-covered and good for walking, though fairly rocky through the valley Kvíandalur. The path has no gates, making it necessary to climb (carefully) over the three fences.Several cairns are found along the hike but are almost impossible to see at times, as they are old and have not been maintained.The path can be taken in both directions, the weather forecast and means of transportation likely being decisive which way it is taken.As it is not marked, the path can be difficult to find and it is difficult to spot throughout the hike. Therefore, it is important to use the GPS file on the hike.
See more detailsThe hike between Saksun and Haldórsvík is beautiful, walking from Haldórsvík toward Saksun likely being the nicer direction as you get beautiful views up through the gorge by the hillock Vesturyheyggjur, and it is always lovely to walk down toward Saksun. Saksun is also a good place to end your hike by meandering down to the cove.At times the path is not visible, making it paramount to follow the cairns. However, as you turn off the path that goes toward Tjørnuvík, there are no cairns the first 700 metres, making it difficult to know which direction to take. The right path is to go a bit up into the hills and so avoid ending up in the craggy area Gjótustíggjur.Having entered the valley Skipádal, cairns lead you up to the pass Víkarskarð. Having crossed the pass, take a left, where you will immediately spot a cairn. From here, cairns lead you all the way down to Haldórsvík. The stretch from Víkarskarð down to Haldórsvík may seem to take quite a long time to walk.If starting in Haldórsvík and having reached Víkarskarð, take a left and go about 100 metres southward before you follow the cairns through Skipádal.
See more detailsThe village path between Rituvík and Lamba makes for an easy hike, lasting about two hours, with views of Skjálafjørðurin and the areas beautiful nature.The terrain is flat and easy to walk on andyou can see traces of where people cut peat in the past.The terrain is grass-covered and for the most part good for walking, though some areas are quite wet and soft, where one must be careful from keeping a foot sinking into the ground. Cairns lead the way for one stretch of the path but both path and cairns disappear on the stretch from Nónsklettur through Torvsstíggjur and up to á Hædd. Therefore, using a GPS is recommended.The first cairns are not visible from Lamba, but signposts are set up, leading to the first cairn.The first part of the terrain from Rituvík - one of the newer villages in the Faroe Islands - is grassy. Rituvík was founded in the later half of the 1800s and at the church, a statue of the first people who moved to Rituvík stands erected.The coast outside the village is known to be an excellent dive side that has sand and is located near kelp forests and underwater rock canyons.Above Rituvík, you overlook Nólsoy. You can also see the wind farm in Eystnes. In recent years, the Faroe Islands has focused more on wind energy and, today, around half of the electricity consumption is produced by renewable energy. Several wind turbines have been installed on Eystnes and a new windmill park has been built near Tórshavn. There is also a view of Svangaskarð, where one of the countrys national football stadiums is located, along with an athletics stadium. Over on Streymoy, you see the mouth of Kalbaksfjørður.At the top, you have a panoramic view of Lambavík. Here, the Danish ship Norske Løve stranded on New Years Eve in 1707. It was on its way to the East Indies but entered stormy weather west of the Hebrides. From there the ship drifted to the Faroe Islands. 14 people died in the storm, with about 100 being rescued. Today there is no trace of the Norske Løve, but some objects from the ship still exist. The ships bell is in Havnar Kirkja, as well as a model of the ship, made by a member of the crew.Remember to enjoy the view of the historic village of Lamba on the last part of your journey.Lamba is among the older villages in the Faroe Islands and the houses lay beautifully spread across the small valley. The village dates back to at least 1350, but may be older.The path can be taken in either direction, weather and mode of transportation deciding which direction is preferable. No clear path is from Nónsklettur through Torvsstíggjur up to á Hædd. Therefore, it is necessary to use the gpx-file on this hike.
See more detailsThe cairn path between Æðuvík and Nes takes about an hour to walk. The terrain is grass-covered and easy to walk, well-suited for those who find walking difficult.The view to the south is toward the isle of Nólsoy and Tórshavn, and turning north you see Skálafjørður and Sundini, the strait between the isles of Streymoy and Eysturoy. The path is marked with cairns, but you must pay close attention to the path as there is quite a distance between the cairns at times. If one is unfamiliar with the path, a GPX-file might be of great help.A table and benches are located where the path crosses the road to Eystnes, a great place to take a break and enjoy your packed lunch.It is worthwhile to take the hike up to Vørðin (160 m) with its expansive views of the isles of Nólsoy, Sandoy and Streymoy, the fiords of Kaldbaksfjørður, Kollafjørður and Skálafjørður, and the strait between Eysturoy and Streymoy. The hike will add about half an hour to your walk.The path can be taken in both directions and is well marked at both ends. Big signs show where the path starts and describe the walk in words and illustrations.The path is marked with cairns but pay careful attention as there is quite a distance between the cairns in places. If one is unfamiliar with the path, a GPX-file might be helpful.
See more detailsFrom Víkarbyrgi, the hike starts down by the bridge crossing the river Víkará. From there, walk out through the small sheep pen and up along the river to the fence, which you need to climb over.From there, go straight up to the first rise, where you will find the first cairn. From the cairn you have a lovely view over Víkarbyrgi, which before it was decimated by the Black Death in 1349 was a major village. This area, up to the waterfall below the hill Krílheyggur, is beautiful, a rock wall running along the broad river.From here, continue on Moldstíggjur, a path through a crag, and go straight up to the pass Oyrnaskarð. The white screes, which cover almost the whole hillside east toward the crag Hornið lend a special feel to the ascent. These white screes on the south-eastern side of Suðuroy are quite unique. The best known are found a little further south, in the fields of Blæing. Blæing is an old word for rocks, and the white growth on these rocks is cork.Having come south of Oyrnaskarð, the valley Bótin is grass-covered and easy to cross. Here too, you walk through several white screes. Just above the path, you will notice a unique rocky knoll, known as Trøllhúsið, the Troll House, which, when it is foggy, really does look like a real troll house. And it cannot be denied, the whole area seems enchanted.On the route through the valley, you need to climb over a low fence. Having come south of the ridge under the slope Akslarendi, follow the cairns down to the road to Sumba.The hike can be taken in either direction. Going in the direction of Víkarbyrgi, though, is far more beautiful as you commence your hike at an elevation of 290 metres—that is, if you park your car by the main road above the village of Sumba.
See more detailsIf starting in Funningur, take the path from the top of the village (Svørvisvegur 8) straight up to the main road above the village. The first cairns are not visible from the road; you will spot the first ones when you walked far up into the hill of Grønabrekka, at an elevation of about 250 m.A narrow stretch of land is set aside for the village path when going up from Funningur; therefore, you need to walk along the riverbank. Reaching the road, go at an angle up to the gate in the stone fence, called Eiðisportrið.Arnasteinur, the large boulder west of Funningur, found just before you come up to the road, is supposed to be named after one Arni, who was found frozen here. He and some others had found their way this far after having been ship-wrecked nearby. On the other side of the road is Hórissteinur, named after another one in the same company who had not reached as far as Arni had done.It is easier to begin in Eiði, where the trail is also far easier to spot. It starts by the water reservoir and ascends along the ridge by the gully Króksgil. Nearby you will see the first of several cairns leading up to the pass Eiðsskarð, although there is a fair distance between some of the cairns.The path can be walked in either direction. However, better parking is found in Eiði.
See more details<strong>SANDVÍK - HVALBA</strong>The route starts at the end of the road by Mýrarnar in the valley west of the village of Sandvík. There is a sign explaining that this is the old village path to Hvalba. Follow the cairns uphill.Sandvik is one of the oldest villages in the Faroes. According to legend, the chieftain Sigmundur Brestisson swam from Skúvoy to Sandvík in the early 1000s after the rivalling chieftain Tróndur í Gøtu and his men had attacked him. Sigmundur swam most of the distance with two men on his back. Exhausted, Sigmundur came ashore on the beach in Sandvík, but was murdered by the farmer Tórgrímur Illi and his sons.At the top, the terrain is flat well before it starts to go downhill again towards Hvalba. On the last stretch down to the village, continue in a wedge with a stone wall on the right and a fence on the left. Go through the village, past the sandy beach and then left towards Nes.<strong>HVALBA - TRONGISVÁGUR</strong>On the road to Nes, you can look up to an area in the valley where coalmining has taken place for many years. Suðuroy, and especially this part of the island, is the only place in the Faroe Islands where coal can be mined.A few hundred metres before you reach Nes, you have Turkagravirnar (The Turkish Graves) on your left-hand side. Hvalba was, like the rest of Suðuroy, much plagued by pirates in the past. There are records of a major pirate attack in Hvalba in 1629 when Algerian pirates kidnapped many of the villagers. According to the stories, one of the ships ran aground and the bodies of the pirates washed ashore. They are said to be buried in this area.The route begins at Fitjarnar just west of Nes. First, follow the fence between the cultivated land and outfield up onto Lítli Hamar. Up on the ledge, a stone path, which is now overgrown, begins. It is called Prestgøta (Priest’s Path), presumably because it is so broad that it was not necessary for the priest to dismount from his horse. The path continues up in Káragjógv, into which the priest Kári is said to have fallen. Up through the gorge, the path is steep in some places, but it is not difficult to walk. However, be careful if wet when the stones can be slippery.If you follow the cairns, the first hill you come to is Lítli Íslendingur, and just to the west are the stones Sigmundarsteinar, called Sigmund, Tórir and Einar. Do not walk between them. Either you age rapidly on the spot, or you won’t live out the year. So, legend says. It is said that Sigmundur Brestisson carried the stones up here.The view from this area is magnificent. Here, you see Lítla Dímun and Stóra Dímun, and Skúvoy and Sandoy to the east. To the west, you see part of the village of Hvalba.Halfway between Hvalba and the gorge Mannagjógv, you have a unique view of Vatnsdal and Vatnsdalvatn, two islets that are home to many birds.When you get to Mannagjógv, the cairn path splits into two. You must take the path to the right. Go down to the grove, down the valley in Trongisvágur. In the grove, there are tables and benches and the place is ideally suited for a coffee or lunch break, before you continue on your journey.<strong>TRONGISVÁGUR - ØRÐAVÍK</strong>Go down to the end of the grove, over the bridge and up the road. After about 40 metres, you come to the sign that says Gl. Fámjinsgøtan. Follow the path and cairns uphill towards Hvammabotnur and further up to Oyrnaskarð. In Hvammabotnur, the landscape is quite fascinating with many rocks. To the west is Gluggarnir, which is the highest mountain on Suðuroy. Above you is Oyrnafjall. There is a tradition to mount Oyrnafjall on New Year’s Eve and light a fire.From Oyrnaskarð you see the village Ørðavík. Go down towards the village and cross the stream. Head for the first turn before the road turns uphill. Then continue approximately 1.3 km along the road, down towards the houses in the village. Right by the first building there is a road to the right. Follow the road for about 200 metres up to the gate to the outfield. From here, you can see up to Mannaskarð, from which the route continues.<strong>ØRÐAVÍK - VÁGUR</strong>The path follows Tinggil Uppi Millum Stovur, which was the site for the ancient Thing (local assembly) in Suðuroy. The landscape is distinctive, with gorges in the terrain with hills with sharp ridges on the sides. Here, you also see Tingborðið where, according to legend, a farmhand from Hvalba called Snæbjørn was sentenced to four-years hard labour on Bremerholm for having bought scarves from an illegal trading ship. Not surprisingly, Snæbjørn was dissatisfied with the judgment and tried to kill the judge, but instead he struck the sheriff so hard that he died. He escaped from the Thing and lived for many years as an outlaw in the mountains in Suðuroy. Walking up to Mannaskarð is tough. There are many stones on the last stretch. Be careful not to dislodge stones.Up on Mannaskarð you have a good view of Dalurin with Vatnsnes and Bessavatn. At Vatnsnes in the 1960s, SEV, the national electricity company, built a dam for hydropower and drilled a tunnel that goes from Vatnsnes down to Botnur. Then comes Vágsskarð, which this path also passes, and Hvannafelli. On the right you see Borgarknappur, whose top resembles a medieval castle.The path follows Vatnaryggur between the lakes. There are many birds to see here. It’s also said that there are particularly many Huldufólk (Hidden People) here. To the left of the path on Vatnaryggur is Ærgidalur. Here, archaeologists from the National Museum excavated ruins of a house. The valley was used as a mountain pasture in the Viking Age. Back then it was common for people to live in the outfield during the summer to tend to the livestock. After Vágsskarð, the path slopes downhill gradually until it reaches Hvannadalur. From there, the descent is rather steep. The cairns lead the way down to Hvannadalsá. As you approach the grove, cross the river and go down to Vágur on the west side of the plantation.<strong>VÁGUR - AKRABERG</strong>Head for the bay in Vágur and walk along the paved road to Lopra. The old village path used to be here in the area. Beware of cars because there is no pavement here. From here, you can see the famous Beinisvørð and the pyramid-shaped mountain Kirvi. A few metres before the tunnel to Sumba, turn right up through the outfield. The path is quite difficult to see here but aim for the electricity pylons and the small stone bridge on the first part of the way. Use the big mast on Hesturin as a landmark.On Hesturin you can choose to walk along the paved road all the way to Akraberg. This is recommended if there is fog in the area. But otherwise you can follow the old path down to Sumba and from there move on to Akraberg. You will find the path on the right-hand side by the road just after the cattle grid. Sumba is considered to be one of the oldest villages in the Faroes. The village is famous for its chain dance and not least for its beauty with the legendary Sumbiarhólmur just outside the village. Sumba has also raised one of the most famous poets in the Faroe Islands, Poul F. Joensen, who was known for his satirical and critical poems about Faroese society. He was, nevertheless, also a master of heartfelt love poems and patriotic poems.The path leads down to the area by the football pitch. Here, you get to the main road where you turn left at the sign showing Akraberg. The route to Akraberg is about two kilometres on paved road.
See more detailsThe village path starts in Oyrargjógv, taking you uphill to the path Sundsgøtan, which leads you to Sørvágur.It is easy to follow the trail as cairns are set up the whole way. Apart from the strenuous stretch up from Oyrargjógv, the terrain is quite even, making for an easy hike. Rivers must be crossed, e.g. Kvígandalsá and Sjatlá, but these are easily forded.According to legend, the huldre woman (a type of rock troll) of Húsagjógv started to chase a shepherd from Sondum because he had stolen her silk gown. She chased him to Vatnsoyrar, up the hill Vatnsbrekka and all the way to Sandavágur. She caught up to him, but he was able to jump into the churchyard in Sandavágur, keeping one sleeve of the gown, which now is the chasuble used in the church.The hike can be taken in either direction.
See more detailsIt is easy to find the path in Húsavík. Walk up to the highest road on the north side of village. Where the tarmac ends, you will find a gate that takes you to the path. The first cairn is not visible from the gate, but as you have ascended a little, you will see it, and from there the clearly visible cairns will lead you on.It is more difficult to find the path in Skálavík since there is no gate in the village wall that indicates where the path starts. Walk eastward about 350 metres until you come to a sheep pen. Here you will find a gate that leads to the path, but the first cairn is not visible from the gate.The path can be taken in either direction, making weather condition and available transportation decisive on which direction is taken.The path is not visible, but large cairns signpost the route most of the hike.
See more detailsThe village of Elduvík is by the sea, at the end of a long, green valley surrounded by high and steep mountains.The walk goes up through the deep valley, which seems pleasant and inviting, Stórá River flowing gently through it.The walk by the riverbank on the way to Funningsfjørður is lovely.It is good to walk the whole way from Elduvík to Funningsfjørður, although the drop is quite steep as you approach Funningsfjørður.The scenery in Funningsfjørður is stunning, the village being nestled between the two large fiords of the isle of Eysturoy. The village has been and still is a junction for traffic in the area, and the roads to the nearby villages are designated Buttercup Routes, scenic routes on particularly beautiful stretches of road.The path can be taken in both directions.The path is not visible everywhere and does not have cairns along some stretches. Therefore, a GPX file is necessary.
See more detailsThe hike starts just east of Norðtoftavegur 10, where you take the short stretch up to the sheep pen and continue for about 150 metres uphill, where you cross a fence to reach the village path that leads you up to the valley Toftadalur. From there, you continue up to the pass Toftaskarð.When walking up to Toftaskarð, keep to the east side, just east of the big scree that comes down the whole pass. The path is grass-covered in the area Sjøt and all the way up toward the pass. When you are right under the pass, walk just beneath the crag all the way up the Toftaskarð.Toftaskarð is full of rock of all sizes, making it cumbersome to walk through. Be careful to keep rocks from rolling down on other hikers.From Toftaskarð, walk straight toward Katlarnir, down through the pass Upp á Gjógv.At the moot Katlarnir, the men of the Northern Isles met in spring for the spring session. The terrain is even, and bedrock surrounds the large boulder Tingsteinurin (The Moot Boulder).At Katlarnir, the ground is even with quite a bit of bedrock, with several rocks laying around the boulder, Tingsteinurin. It is easy to imagine that these rocks have played one role or another when moots where held here in ages past.Leaving Katlarnir, climb over the fence, go straight up to the pass Áarskarð. From there, walk down through the upper part of the gorge Ánagjógv, then turn south by a lone cottage toward Klaksvík, where you descend to the infield gate just above Undir Kráarbrekka 21, also known as Rynkeby.The path can be taken in either direction.
See more detailsThe mountains in the Northern Isles are high, craggy and awe-inspiring. The crags are broad and steep, and hardly anything grows near the peaks. Part of this hike goes through this area, making for some rough walking, especially down through the pass Toftaskarð.The path starts down in the village of Árnafjørður and goes up through a new lane, running just west of the house that stands at Viðurbyrgi 23. (see ‘starting point’ below)For the first stretch, the path is easy to see, but further up in the valley Svartadalur it becomes more difficult to spot. But a few cairns lead the way up through the valley. It is easy and very peaceful to walk up Tólvmarkaknúkur, a large knoll, continuing through the lower, middle and upper paths of the crags, and finally reach Toftaskarð.The pass is very rocky, making the hike down to Norðtoftir quite difficult and potentially dangerous. Keep to the east side of the pass throughout the rocky stretch until the terrain becomes grass covered. Then, go straight down east of Sjøt, continuing on the path in the í Kleiv area all the way to Norðtoftir.There are no gates in the fences of the outfields, so you must find a good place to climb over them. Using a gpx-file is recommended in order to find the right path through the outfields.The hike can be taken in either direction.<br>It is possible to walk a part of the trail, up to the pass Toftaskarð, where you can enjoy magnificent views. From there you can take the path down to Klaksvík via Katlarnar. Here you can take the path from the pass Áarskarð down to the portals of the tunnels.
See more detailsThe village path between Hvalvík and Kvívík is fascinating. You pass the hydropower dams at Mýranar, east of Vestmanna. As you walk, you will notice larger and smaller dams that have been constructed to collect rainwater in this large area. You will also pass a water tunnel.If you start to walk in Hvalvík follow the new path along the river Myllá, which runs north of the Mission House in Hvalvík. Here you will find a gate. Having passed through the gate, take a left toward the hay barn, from which you switch back north of the river Myllá (the right side). When you have come up the first rise, 150 metres above sea level, you will see the first cairns. From here you walk along Myllá, by the gorge Hvalvíksgjógv. Cairns will lead you all the way to Kvívík.If you start in Kvívík, the walk commences at the large parking lot on the main road above the village. From here you walk 70 metres eastward, where you will find the path to the first gate. From there, cairns will lead you the rest of the way.The walk can be taken in either direction—weather conditions and mode of transportation deciding which direction to take. Though, some think the walk from Hvalvík is more beautiful.
See more detailsThe tour begins by the Mission House in Hvalvík (Hvalvíksvegur 77). From here follow the new path, where you will find a gate.Walk along the river Myllá, which runs north of the Mission House in Hvalvík. About 200 metres from Hvalvíksgjógv is the first cairn.When you have passed Eggjarmúli, there is a fine view through Saksunardalur, the longest valley in the country. From here, follow the SEV electricity line all the way to Vestmanna. SEV is the national electric power company. The first mechanical digger purchased to the Faroe Islands came to Hvalvík. It was called the Hvalvíkskúgvin. On one occasion, the people from Vestmanna wanted to borrow it for some work and it was carried up over Hvalvíksskarð along this path.Now, you arrive at a cairn, stacked on a large stone called Kellingarsteinur. At the next cairn, after Kellingarsteinur, the path divides. The path south goes to Kvívík and the path north goes to Vestmanna. Follow the latter.On top of Hvalvíksskarð, you see over to Mýrarnar and one of the first dams built by SEV in the early 1960s. There is also a small private windmill park. To the south is the mountain range Egilsfjall, Goturshálsur, Sátan and Skælingsfjall and on Vágar, you can see Reynsatindur and Heldarstindur.Loysingafjall is just in front of you. There is an account of a girl in Vestmanna who disappeared from the town and could not be found. The next day, a shepherd found her high up on Loysingafjall. She said that a man in white clothes had led her by the hand and fed her. No one knew this man. The cairns and SEV-line take you to the left side of Bjerndalsgjógv. Be careful when the path turns south, as it is steep downwards.There are now two possible ways down to Vestmanna. The path divides by the dam at Fossá. You can follow the road and go down Á Fjørð or go over the first dam, follow the cairns to Vestmanna along Gjógvará and down along Miðalsbrekka.Another story is about a young milkmaid who disappeared in the river at Gjógvará. She had tripped and fallen and was carried down the large waterfall. There was no thought of her coming out alive from the fall. When people at home heard the news, they immediately went out to search. But they found no body. The girl was not dead. Naked, in a bad state, she was lying in the cleft, clinging to a stone. She could hear people calling for her, but she did not dare to call out because she was afraid of Huldufólk (Hidden People) and trolls. Not until the day after, when the river had settled down, did she dare to approach the houses. It was a miracle that she survived the incident.Before the Faroe Islands got its first subsea tunnel between Streymoy and Vágar in 2002, the ferry port of Vestmanna was the hub for traffic to and from the airport in Vágar.The walk can be taken in either direction. However, it is significantly easier to walk from Vestmanna.
See more detailsThe path starts midway through the valley Saksunardalur, where you cross the lovely river, Klovsá, where the remains of an old bridge are found. From there, continue under Mt. Ørvisfelli, the second highest mountain on Streymoy and cross the pass Oksagilshálsur. Having crossed the pass, hike down the hill called Skammbrekkan and ford the river Fossá, where you will see two hydropower dams below you. The rest of the hike is a long but easy walk southward on the road known as Saksunarvegurin, which you find west of the upper hydropower dam, known as Frammi á vatni. Continue along the hill Leiti and down toward the river Gjógvará. Follow the river on its western bank to the water reservoir in Vestmanna.The first ascent from Saksunardalur is a little strenuous, but otherwise it is an easy hike through the wide and narrow pastures north of Vestmanna. The path is far from any major roads and few take it, making for a very tranquil hike.The views in the upper reaches of the hill Oksagilsbrekka down toward Saksunardalur and south toward the strait between Streymoy and Eysturoy is particularly beautiful.From here you can also see the peaks of many mountains on Eysturoy and on the Northern Isles. The views westward from the crag Rossastígar of the spit Slættanestangi and the sea cliffs Vágabjørgini is also very beautiful.It is necessary to bring the GPX-file with you in case it becomes foggy as part of the path is not well marked.
See more detailsLeaving Elduvík, you take the beautiful old village path up the hill, which is easy to walk even though it is quite steep. The path is well-kept, having undergone major maintenance in 2019, when the hill of Elduvík was part of the Closed for Maintenance project. At that time, poles where set on the path on the stretch to Oyndarfjørður, making it clearly marked.The walk between Elduvík and Oyndarfjørður is beautiful and filled with fascinating stories. Before the church in Elduvík was built in 1952, the custom was that the youngest of the male god parents ran home to Elduvík with the child after it had been baptised – and so, it was believed, the child would grow up to be fast and have great stamina. In 1906 it almost ended in tragedy. A young boy, following the tradition, ran from Oyndarfjørður with a little girl who had just been baptised and named Jana. At the brook Skarðgil, which is at the steepest patch in the hill down to Elduvík, the boy lost his footing. Sliding down toward the bluff, he was lucky, came to a stop at cliff’s edge, just before both would have plunged into the sea. No one was hurt, but since that day the place has been known as Jana’s Bluff.There are ample opportunities to take a break on the hike, for example by the spring Vígdu, which you reach when entering the pass at the top of the hill. In ages past, people were stationed here, at the old watch post, Vaktarhúsið, on the lookout for pirates.The view is expansive down the rocky slopes out toward the island of Kalsoy and its high peaks. to the hill of Funningur, the rocks of Kolbanagjógv and the spit of Fjalltangi.Note specifically the two characteristic peaks of Kalsoy, the jagged Nestindur and the somewhat flat Borgarin, creating a wonderful harmony together. It was in the area below Nestindur that Páll Fangi hid from authorities in the 1600s, because he was wanted for murder. Páll was a farmer’s son in Mikladalur. A maid on the farm was in love with him, but the feelings weren’t mutual. The jilted maid took revenge by insinuating that Páll had murdered his father because the father had given the farm to his brother. Páll was convicted of murder and imprisoned in Tórshavn, but he managed to escape from prison three times. On one of the occasions, he hid for a whole year in a cave in the rugged area under Nestindur.Follow the path until you reach the outfield gate and remember to close it on your way down to lovely village Oyndarfjørður.You can take the path in either direction. The view is perhaps more stunning walking to Elduvík, where you can enjoy the broad views as well as the tranquillity of the small village when you reach it.
See more detailsIn Funningur, the best way to reach the path is to go between the old dance hall, Uppi í Túni 18, and the house just above it, í Túni 16. From here, follow the left (western) bank of the river.Originally, the path was paved with stones, but this is hard to see today. The path takes you to the gate of the village fence, called Gjáarportrið. From here, continue upward, east of the river Skarðsá.When the villagers in Gjógv went to church in Funningur, not everyone walked all the way down to Funningur. The elderly, who found the steep hill down to the village too difficult to walk, stopped at Kirkjusteinur (Church Boulder), 215 metres above sea level. Líksteinur (Corpse Boulder) is in the pass Gjáarskarð. When a coffin was carried between Gjógv and Funningur, people paused here.The path does not have any cairns before you reach the plains at 240 m. From here, cairns lead you to the fence by the pass Gjáarskarð. From there you must walk a fair distance down the valley before you see the next cairns, which are few in number.At Gjógv, the path starts by the cattle grill down in the village. Follow the fence to its end and then walk straight up to the pass.The hike can be taken in either direction. However, parking is better in Funningi.
See more detailsAt Akrar you will find the village path by going through the sheep pen at the end of the village. Leaving the pen, climb over the fence and head straight up on the left (east) side of the fence.When you reach the first rise, continue up along the river Ærgisá, east of the ravine. From there, follow the cairns all the way down to Víkarbyrgi.Lovely views are to be found at the hillside Brúgvin, which is also a cosey place to take a break and enjoy the views of the headland Porkerisnes to the north and the islet Baglhólmur to the east, where you also will notice how the terrain has sunk.When coming down to Víkarbyrgi, you can take the main road down to the village rather than taking the village path. Doing so, you avoid having to climb over a fence as you draw near to the village.The hike can be taken in either direction. Taking the hike from Akrar is slightly steeper
See more details<strong>Hov - Øravík</strong>This route starts on the road above the village of Hov, at 180-meter height. Seventy meters above is the famous Tindurin, which is to be scaled on the trip. The first visible stone cairn is located in the top of the narrow cleft going through Tindurin. It looks steep and challenging, but it should not be a problem on a decent summer day, unless you have a fear of heights.<br>Unfortunately, the pathway below Tindurin is not well maintained and the stone cairn marker is not so visible, due to landslides. There are lots of loose stones and material on this section of the route and it is recommended that you take your time to find the safest areas to walk through. Once arriving on top of Tindurin, it becomes easier to walk and it is only a short stretch to “Skarðið í Kambi” – just 30 meters higher.<br>The view from there is stunning, looking over Hov, Hovsfjørð and up into the valley Hovsdal.<br>There is another short walk uphill to the east side of Hovstúgva (Túgva í Halgafelli).<br>However, after reaching the top of the mountain, it is a long and easy descent to Øravík. As you walk downwards along the cairns, you will appreciate the spectacular scenery of Trongisvásfjørð.<br>Unfortunately, the area around the Øravík community is fenced off with two fences, one of which is barb-wired. You will need to find a safe spot to climb over the fence until there has been made a gate through the fence.<br>
See more detailsThe hike commences by the large parking lot above the gorge Skálagjógv. Walk up along the beautiful river Tippisá, and when you reach the valley Uppi í Dal, continue up through the old peat fields, where you still can see the many old peat sheds.To cross the high road, go under the left side of the bridge. Here you need to open a fence<i></i>to cross it. Above the road, you will reach the fascinating gorge Fossagjógv. Here you can enjoy good views over Sundini (the strait between Eysturoy and Streymoy), the village of Streymnes, and the peaks above it. Continue up along the river Tippisá and across the pass Skálaskarð. As the gate is blocked (as of August 2020), you need to climb over the fence. The stretch down to Funningsfjørður runs along the 170-metre-long lake Hagavatn; from there, continue straight down to the sheep shed by the road to the village Funningur opposite the village itself. The last grass-covered hills down to the village are a little steep, so be careful not to slip. If a ladder has not been installed, you will need to climb over a fence on your way down to the fiord.The hike can be taken in either direction. Taking the trip from Funningsfjørður is significantly more strenuous.
See more details<strong>SANDAVÁGUR (Á HÁLSI) - SLÆTTANES</strong>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 Sørvágurand 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.<strong>SLÆTTANES - FJALLAVATN</strong>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.<strong>FJALLAVATN - GÁSADALUR</strong>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.
See more details<p class="" data-placeholder="Description (english)">The village path commences just above the woods in Trongisvágur. First, cross the river Stórá and continue up into the field Hvammhagi. From here, you will have views up toward the valley Hvammabotnur with its unique wide and level rock strata surrounded by steep hills. At the head of the valley, you will see the crag Herðablaðið flanked by the gorges Herðablaðsgjáir. To the right of Herðablaðið stands Mt. Gluggarnir 610 metres tall, the highest mountain in Suðuroy. During your ascent, you have good views over Trongisvágur and toward the field of Hvannhagi with the islands Stóra Dímun and Lítla Dímun in the background.<p class=""><br data-cke-filler="true"><p class="">Having crossed the pass Oyrnaskarð, you continue a short distance to reach the pass Valdaskarð, going down through the crags called Harðgreipshamrar. As you approach Valdaskarð, you have views over the field of Øravíkshagi.<p class=""><br data-cke-filler="true"><p class="">It is beautiful to cross Valdaskarð as the lake Kirkjuvatn and Fámjin come into view. Descending toward Kirkjuvatn, you are flanked by magnificent crags. To you right, as you walk through the hill Undir Homrum, you will walk just below the lowest lying crag, which fascinating columnar basalt rises high into the air.<p class=""><br data-cke-filler="true"><p class="">From here, walk along Kirkjuvatn and continue south of the river, passing through the sheep pen down toward Fámjin.<p class=""><br data-cke-filler="true"><p class="">The path is easy to follow, cairns leading you all the way from the parking lot in Trongisvágur to Fámjin.<p class=""><br data-cke-filler="true"><p class="">The hike can be taken in either direction, beginning in Trongisvágur being a little less strenuous
See more details<span style="color:#222222;">In Fuglafjørður, the hike starts at the end of the road Innandalsvegur, where you hike straight up through the gate to the sheep pen by the stone walls. This is just above the area known as Vesturi í Dal, which the municipality has tastefully developed with several nice paths. From here, go along the upper side of the stone wall until you reach the hill Heyggjurin Mikli. By the power lines, the path turns up toward Mýrubotnur. This boggy and level area beneath Mt Blábjørg is tranquil to traverse through. With steep rock ledges flanking both sides, it is a quick walk up along the river to the pass Jøklaskarð (elevation, 521 m), where you will find the large boulders named Samgongusteinar.</span><span style="color:#222222;">Only a few cairns are visible on the stretch from Fuglafjørður up to Jøklaskarð. If the path is difficult to spot, follow the power lines.</span><span style="color:#222222;">From Jøklaskarð, hike down to the main road to the village of Oyndarfjørður, where the descent at times is fairly steep, and where you also have to follow the cairns down through three crags. The last stretch through the crags, Skeljastíggjur, is just south of the river. Cairns will lead you the whole way.</span><span style="color:#222222;">From the main road to Oyndarfjørður, take a direct westerly direction, where the road to Funningsfjørður (Gerðisvegur) reaches the main road running through Millum fjarða (the area between the fjords Funningsfjørður and Skálafjørður). You will have to climb over some fences that have no ladders.</span><span style="color:#222222;">The first stretch of the path from the main road at Millum fjarða up to the valley Vesturdalur is quite unique, with uneven terrain, hills, and many rivers, which, however, often are dry as the water is used for hydro power. The first cairn of this stretch is up by the power dam by the bridle path.</span><span style="color:#222222;">Having reached the bridle path, the terrain, which stretches all the way up to just below the pass undir Nøvini, turns increasingly boggy. This stretch is particularly beautiful with broad vistas, both north through the fjord of Funningsfjørður and south toward millum Fjarða and the steep rock ledges and the large scree below the promontory Nøvin. Cairns lead you all the way up to the pass. From the pass, take a westerly direction, on the right side of the fence. As there is no ladder, you will have to climb over the fence to continue the hike.</span><span style="color:#222222;">The stretch down to the tunnel portal is easy and grass-covered. Here you also need to climb over a fence, so you can walk down south of the fence. Cairns lead you down the final stretch of the path—the last cairn, though, has fallen down (in 2020).</span><span style="color:#222222;">If you do not stop at the tunnel portal, you can take the village path down to the large parking lot found by the lower main road, from where you can continue to the bus stop at Oyrabakki, for example.</span>
See more details<strong>Hov - Fámjin</strong><span style="color:black;">The route starts in Hov. If you want to walk the entire length of the path, start by the water tank and waterworks located outside the cattle grid by the road heading towards Hovdal’s dam (see P1 in the pictures). From there, walk up towards the first cairn, located 145 meters above the cattle grid. According to the locals, it is common to drive all the way up to the parking area (see P2 in the pictures) which lies 175 meters from the end of the road close to the dam. From that spot, walk towards the village path leading out of Porkeri until you reach the meeting point of the pathway between Hov and Fámjin.</span><span style="color:black;">The grassy path towards Mannaskarð is marked by cairns and is slightly steep. On top of Mannaskarð you are rewarded with a stunning view of Hovsdal; a large valley featuring water running between the rocky landscape below. The mountain ridges around the valley meet at the magnificent mountain “Borgarknappi”, the tallest mountain in the area (574 m.). From there, the mountain chain continues west on the southern side of Fámjinsdal.</span><span style="color:black;">In Ærgidali, south of the river between the lakes of Bessavatn and Vatnsnes, archaeologists have discovered ancient ruins that provide evidence that Vikings once lived there whilst caring for their cattle during the summer season.</span><span style="color:black;">When walking around Mannaskarð, you get a great view looking over Øravík, towards Froðba and Tvøroyri. If the weather is good, it is possible to see Skælingsfjall and Sornfelli, with their white radar domes.</span><span style="color:black;">Although the path towards Fámjinsskarð is not visible, it is a decent 400-meter walk on a straight, pebbly road.</span><span style="color:black;">In Fámjinsskarð it is possible to enjoy the view of Fámjin’s valley, a natural gem. From there you can see the southern aspects of Borgarknappur, Borgin and Glopprókin with their basalt columns. On the northern side, you can catch a glimpse of Kirkjuvatn.</span><span style="color:black;">The trail down towards Fámjin is a long descent marked by the stone cairns, which are located close to each other. They will guide you down by Mosavøl, through Traðarhamar and towards the gates of the sheepfold. Finally, there is a path that will lead you down towards the road from the sheepfold and into the village.</span>
See more detailsThe often-underestimated village path between Skálabotnur and Oyri is fascinating and peaceful as well as pleasant to walk. As you meander through rough rocky areas and Eysturoyarsillin, a magnificent sill, you will find ball-shaped rocks and have views over the many peaks of Eysturoy and Streymoy.At Skálabotnur, the path is easy to find. From the sheep pen north of the church Keldan, cross the wide bridge over the river, where signposts with yellow marks will lead you onward (note that some posts might have toppled).When you have reached an elevation of 350 metres by Skála, follow the old cairns that clearly indicate the right path all the way to Oyri.If starting in Oyri, walk up to the first bend in the road Tungugøta. From here, follow the river just above the bend up through the gate, where you see the first signposts. You will also spot the first cairn at the gate in Oyri and signposts will lead you up to it.The path is difficult to spot, so you need to follow the signposts and the cairns all the way.
See more detailsThe village path starts in the beautiful gorge in Norðradalur, leading you to the southern part of the village and on to the slope of a mountain. Walk southward along the slope under Mt. Tungliðfjall. You must be at an altitude of 108 metres when crossing the cleft Tungulíðgjógvs, otherwise the path is mostly at an elevation of 75-80 metres.The path is not maintained. At times it is difficult to spot and is also cut off by landslips in places, making it necessary to hike up over the landslips to cross them more easily.Several steep slopes are just south of the gorge Tunguliðgjógv, a beautiful and pleasant place. The southern stretch of the hillside may seem quite challenging since you hike close to the edge of the steep coastline.The gate found in the fence by the gorge Tunguliðgjógv has been moved from an elevation of 30 metres to an elevation of 108 metres.
See more detailsFrom Skælingur, go south from the main road on the unpaved road running through cultivated fields and continue through the gate that leads you to the path. The path is not marked, but it is easy to find the unpaved road and then the path.The innermost part of Gjáarbotnur is very pleasant, where the old sheep pen in the gorge makes the hike unique. The pen, which has recently been renovated by a stonemason, was first built sometime in the 19th century.At Norðradalur, the path has been redirected. The farmer has put signs on his two gates, guiding hikers to use the lower gate. The path is not visible between the gate and close to where the path goes up through the crag.Take the GPX-file with you. Cairns and path are not always visible.The path can be taken in either direction, weather and/or mode of transportation being deciding which direction is preferable. Whichever direction you take, there are some tough hills to walk up through.
See more detailsThe village path between Miðvágur and Vatnsoyrar is perfect for those who want to go on a beautiful and varied walk, which is easily accessible and not strenuous.The hike lasts about one hour with views of the isles of Koltur and Hestur, the promontory Trælanípan, the lake known both as Leitisvatn and Sørvágsvatn, the airport and the isle of Mykines.It is easy to spot the path throughout and cairns lead you all the way. However, it can be difficult to spot where the path starts. If you do not know the area, it is a good idea to start at Vatnsoyrar, since it is easy to find the gate to the outfields, from where the first cairn is clearly visible.The terrain is grass-covered and good for walking almost the whole way, although it can be a little wet in places. By Vatnsoyrar, there is a bit of loose rocks on the path and in places the path is steep.The GPX file can be of great help to find your way up through the hill in Miðvágur.
See more detailsIn the village of Hósvík, one walks up along the river Lagá, which in places is narrow, and in others, quite wide. Several larger rivers meet just outside the village walls and flow into Lagá. With its rivers and their tributaries, this is a lovely area to explore. Walking up the river Smørdalsá, you reach the valley of Smørdalur. Here everything becomes very tranquil, the only sounds being birdsong and a babbling brook. It feels like entering a different world, where the marks left by those who once cut peat remind you of another age.From Smørdalur, walk up the steep hill toward Hósvíksgjógv, a magnificent gorge, and from there up to Lírahjalli, a broad sloping terrace. This is the most challenging and strenuous part of the hike. From here, it is easy to walk up to Hósvíksskarð, the pass between the mountains Bøllufjall and Gívrufjall.The stretch toward the lake of Leynavatn is good for walking, though the final stretch down to the road is a little steep.Here you walk on a ridge between two valleys, where you might run into quite a few hares. The views over the lakes called Mjáuvøtn, the valley of Kollafjørður, the strait Vestmannasund and the isle of Vágoy are excellent.The walk can be taken in either direction. Which direction is best depends on weather and the direction of the wind.
See more details<strong>Øravík - Vágur</strong><span style="color:black;">Even though the village route is called Øravík to Vágur, it is possible to split the journey into two by driving up towards Hovsdal and starting the tour on the village path heading to Porkeri. This path leads you up to the area below Mannaskarð, where it meets with the path running between Øravík and Vágur. From there you can choose whether to walk to Øravík by going through Mannaskarð, or to Vágar by going through Vágsskarð. It is also possible to walk up Mannaskarð, enjoy the beautiful view, and then walk to Vágur through Vágsskarð. GPX files are available for all three trips, including the full-length trip and the two half trips.</span><span style="color:black;">The path starts in Øravík. Gorges and ridges with sharp edges mark the landscape as the path follows Tinggili Uppi Millum Stovur, which was once the assembly point of Suðuroy; the old assembly table is visible here. According to Faroese folklore, farmhand Snæbjørn, from Hvalba, was sentenced, upon this very spot, to four years of penal servitude in Bremerholm (Copenhagen) as punishment for buying a scarf from an illegal merchant vessel. Unsurprisingly, Snæbjørn was not content with his punishment and attacked the figures of authority. He failed to kill the judge, but struck the sheriff with a fatal blow. Snæbjørn escaped from the assembly point and lived on the outskirts of the mountains of Suðuroy for several years.</span><span style="color:black;">The road up Mannaskarð is difficult and, towards the end, it is very stony. You will need to tread carefully to avoid loosening any rocks and stones underfoot.</span><span style="color:black;">On top of Mannaskarð is a fantastic view of the valleys of Vatnsnes and Bessavatn. In the 1960s, SEV built a hydroelectric dam and dug a tunnel from Vatnsnes down to Botn. There you have Vágsskarð, which the road passes, and Hvannafelli. On the other side, it is possible to see Borgarknappur with peaks that remind you of a castle from the middle-ages.</span><span style="color:black;">The path follows Vatnaryggur beside the lake, where you can see a variety of birds. It is said that there is an unusually high amount of "huldufólk" living there. To the left of the path on Vatnaryggur lies Ærgidalur, where archaeologists of the Faroese Museum found long-abandoned ruins. During Viking times, this valley was used for grazing, and in those days, it was customary for people to live in fields during the summertime to care for their flock.</span><span style="color:black;">Past Vágsskarð, there is a gradual descent to Hvannadal, then the slopes become steep. The stone cairns guide the way to Hvanndalsá, leading you across a stream and towards a plantation or grove of trees. Then follow the signposts along the side of the grove until the path turns into the heart of it. A stroll through the trees is lovely, especially after the Closed for Maintenance campaign, in which Faroese locals spent the spring of 2021 working on improving the area. There is a table with benches, making it possible for you to sit down and rest whilst enjoying the view and a picnic, if you have brought one.(But please remeber to take your litter home with you!)</span>
See more detailsThe route starts by the large parking place 800-meters north of Sundshálsur. Follow the road up towards the pond in Sundshálsur and then continue straight to Reiðskarð (also called Norðarskarð in Syðradal).The path is easy to walk; this path is used by many people from Tórshavn, which means the track is easy to see and has several cairns laid just above the trail. The terrain is very flat, and the view spanning Eysturoy and south towards Tórshavn is visible. It is gorgeous to arrive and see the pond with Koltur in the background. You will walk down to the new cultivating road that the Syðradal farmer has made down in Niðarabotn. From there, you will walk down to the gate which leads you across Breiðá at about 100-meters from the main road. Across the river, the route leads you to the end of the cultivating road and then along the red poles to Norðadal. There are no cairns on this route, but the poles are close enough to each other, making it easy to follow them. When you arrive at the pass in Tungulið, the first part can be a bit challenging because you are close to the edge of the hill. Here it is beautiful to walk north through the pass in Tungulið. Below you can see onto the containers where much surf can be seen, and further out, you will see Koltur with its unique shape.<br>You arrive at several large and deep gullies when you come halfway north through Tungulið, opposite Hellisgil. The scenery is beautiful here.<br>From Tunguliðgjógv, you will walk up about 108-meters, it is easier to walk, and there is a gate you can walk through. From there, it is a straight walk to the stone gate in Norðradal.<br>You can walk straight towards Sunnarabotn by the stone gate, or first walk along the village path through the beautiful Dalagjógv, which we recommend. In the gorge, you will have to walk down a narrow ledge.Then you will walk back and head through the stone gate. Follow the poles on the left side up towards Sunnaraskarð. It is pretty steep walking up Sunnarabotn; however, the terrain is grassy and decent. Out of the botn, you will continue up the north side of the river, up through the steep Rossarygg, which is about 70-meters high—up the small valley right above. The first cairn above Rossarygg is an excellent place to rest and enjoy the view across Norðradal and all the way west to Vágafjøll. On the other side of the river, under the narrow ledge of Tungulíðfjall, you can see a different path up through Sunnarabotn and heading up through Hellissvað. This path was usually used for horses, which is why it is called Rossagøta (Horse Path). Lore tells of a priest heading out of Tórshavn to Norðradal to preach Christianity. This was when a portion of Faroese believed in Asgard and northern mythology. The men from the north in Tórshavn came to accompany this man during his journey and disapproved of his trip to Norðradal. They decided that they would throw him over once they made their way through the pass. The priest, who was unaware, was pushed off Rossarygg and did not stop falling until he hit a flat surface; by then, his neck was broken, and he died. The pass today is called Lýðarssonarskarð or Lýsnarskarð (Light Pass)—which is likely because of this priest.You continue walking the short way up the valley above and then continue up to Sunnara pass. Here you can enjoy the fantastic view spanning Kallbaksfjørð and east of Eysturoy. Finally, from that point on, it is a flat and decent walk along the stony soil to Sundhálsur. <br>
See more detailsThis path is perfect for a short and comfortable walk through the densest heather fields in the Faroe Islands, Húshagin, between Svangaskarð and Runavík. This route is also excellent as the end of the 9.5km round trip through Runavík – Rituvík – Toftir – Runavík (this route is available on the website).The start of the route takes place in Svangaskarð, where there is decent parking. You will walk through the stone gate by the sheepfold, and from there in a straight line through Húshagan, downward to the stone gate, down at Skúlin við Løkin.It is easy, peaceful and very beautiful to walk down this path, which makes its way through the dense red and green heather, to the extent that the cairns are almost lost within the heather. This area is gorgeous in September when the blue-red heather berries are in full bloom, blanketed by a damp mist.The fact that the path is not visible for significant parts of the route suggests that this route is not used much. There are some fascinating streams and brooks on the way, by Skrivarakelda, Kollingsklett and also closer to the stone gate in Runavík.During the walk, there is an excellent view over Toftavatn, known for its rich bird wildlife.You then walk through the stone gate just opposite Skúlan við Løkin. From there, the route goes through another gate all the way out by Rókavegin, which leads you into the parking area in front of the school.<br>
See more detailsThe route starts where there is much parking space, just above Skótadeplin in Selatrað. <br>Selatrað is one of the oldest landings in the Faroe Islands, as it goes back to Tórður from Strond in Norway, who fled from Harald Fairhair in the year 900 to the Faroe Islands.<br>Selatrað was the first parliament for the whole island of Eysturoy. Just above, at the high ground below Skótadeplin, stands Tingsteinur, and down the fjord by Gálga is Gálgasteinur; it is said this is where criminals were hung.You will walk 1 kilometre west of the highway to the sheep house at the end of the road. Although in the past, there were good relationships between Selatrað and Oyri, this path has not been much used. This would have been for people from Oyri and Norðsklála working in Strond travelling north for the weekend. You walk through the gate below the house by the sheep house at the end of the road. You then walk across the coast diagonal up towards the fence until you reach the path. Out by Veðranese, you will need to climb over the fence, and just north of Veðranes in Skriðugil, the track is used for riding. Therefore, you will need to walk 4-5 meters above to arrive on the north side and then back to the path.Once you are further north, the route goes diagonally down to the sandy area below Hagagjógv, where there is a quay and the remains of an old fish farm that went bankrupt during the 1990s. Here above you, there is a deep gorge called Hagagjógv. Further up, you can see sizeable columnar basalt going across the gorge. There is a lore that tells of how this was the sheath of a giant who dropped his weapon as he jumped across the gorge.When you've come further north, you arrive at a sheep house on the southern side of Breiðá. There is no road heading to this field called Norður í Haga; therefore, a quay for the area and sheep transport has been created. <br>Just north of the sheep house is a large barrier stream called Breiðá. In the past, there was a bridge, as the river would grow when it rained. In this area, there used to be a large sand beach lining the land, including Breiðásandur, Sandaleiti, and further north to Fílasandur. During the summers, some of these beaches were so long. The men in Oyra used to say a rifle couldn't reach its end; these have been about 40-50-meters out from land.Therefore, this area was quite accessible by boat. During the second half of the 1600s, not of sane mind, Páll Fangi broke out of Tórshavn prison and took a boat to Hósvík. He rowed across and pulled the boat into Sandaleit. Then he headed straight to Leirvík, where he took another boat and rowed out to Kalsoy, where he fled into a hole called Pálsloft í Nesskorum (cracks west of Trøllanes).People from Kollafjørð used to drag up their boats in this area when they needed to cute peat up on Eysturoya sill, which would be called on Kollafjarðarheiðunum. Just above, you can see Breiðástíggj and the south of Torvstíggj, where they would have carried the peat down to the boats.<br>In the 1960s and 70s, a significant part of sand was taken and used to build houses, which is why no sand is left. <br>It is peaceful in Breiðá, and the lake has various unique shapes, including a little pool. This is the perfect place to simply enjoy yourself and a cup of good coffee. <br>After your break, you continue north, walking past several sheep boluses.When you arrive north towards the large sheep house, where the quarry is just south of Oyra, you walk up towards the fence until you reach the gate opposite the house. Once you enter through the gate, you walk straight towards the house, through the sheepfold, and then continue below the house until you arrive at the cultivating road, which leads north towards Oyri. <br>
See more detailsThe attraction of this route is that it is a short and beautiful hike, potentially suitable for a family hike. You can start at the south end of Toftavatn and make your way to Toftir. This route is also suitable as an addition to the 9.5km round hike Runavík—Rituvík—Toftir—Runavík.<br><br>The starting point is by the sheep house, which is on the cultivating road on the south end of Toftavatn. Just below the sheep house, you will walk the 150-meters down to the sheepfold. To the left of the sheepfold are poles to use as steps to get over the fence. From there, you will walk straight southwest, following along the cairns to Neytakonuskarð.If the weather is clear, the view north over Toftavatn and further north through Skálafjørð will be breath-taking—especially when still as the waters mirror a display of the rich birdlife.Above the furthest south point of the cove in Toftavatn is Sandurin Lítli. According to folklore, this is where the Nix latched on to a coal-black dog with a shiny gold-like tail, with the hopes of dragging Toftir's villagers to the bottom of Toftavatn. As the villagers tried to help each other, they would touch the Nix's tail, which meant there was nothing they could do—they were stuck! On this day, the tenant farmer was out fishing; however, he felt things were not as they should. Therefore, he asked to be sent home with Kráagil under Rituvíksháls (Ytrihálsur); when he arrived at Toftavatn and saw the predicament and understood the Nix caused this. In response, he runs with all his might over to Sandurin Lítli, where the Nix is about to leave, dragging the villagers with him. Quickly the farmer rips a lump of loose soil and waves a cross over it before throwing it at the Nix and hitting its tail. Once this piece of dirt touched the Nix, the villagers were released, and the Nix disappeared into the water.Once you arrive up Neytakonuskarð, the path splits into two. One route, head south of Kornvatn to Nes, whilst the other leads you north of Kornvatn to Toftir. You will take the route to your right, walking eastwards between Kornvatn and Hamravatn and continuing down on Gaddavegin in Toftir. You will walk through the iron gate, which leads you down between Gaddaveg 44 and 46, and even though a path is missing from the iron gate to the road, this area is decent for walking.
See more detailsYou will walk up from the bus stop outside the northern mouth of the Kaldbaks tunnel. Then walk through the gate just above and right up towards the steep slope. This is one of the steepest paths in the Faroe Islands; however, because the path curves as it goes upward, it is not too difficult to walk.The path is not visible in areas, and there is a long distance between the cairns; therefore, it can be challenging to walk the right way if you do not have a GPS. There can be a lot of noise from traffic; however, it becomes quiet and peaceful once at 230-meters above the first plain, right above Lágarstíggj.You will walk across Skeiðsá and further up Oyggjarvegur. Continue walking southward along the road up on Sornfell and then down to the large cairn by Mjóstíggj. It is beautiful to walk with a view over Núgvan, Mjørkadal and out along Kallbaksfjørd. You can also see over Mannafelsdal, where the battle against the south and north men took place around 1307. Sadly, by Mjóstíggj, a landslide has taken the path with it, making it a little challenging to get across. From there, the route runs down to the station in Mjørkadal, where you come onto Oyggjavegur itself.From Mjørkadal, it is 2km to Neytaskarð, where the route runs up a pass across Norðradalsvegur, then continues up the sharp mountain crest to a flat surface at 400-meters height above the unique Dysjarnar.From there and at about 8km to Torshavn is a decent path with excellent and diverse views. During decent weather, as one nears Torshavn, you start to see more and more people, people riding horses and bicycles, making their way along the many paths outside of Torshavn. The route ends at the parking space above the quarry in Oyggjarvegur.<br>
See more detailsThis hike between Hattarvík and Kirkja is different from most other hikes as it involves you sailing to one of the villages and walking to the other. Then from the second village, you can sail back home. However, this trip is only possible if the weather allows it and if the boats are sailing. Please check if the boats are sailing before heading on this trip. We recommend calling the SSL (Strandfaraskip Landsins) overseer in Fugloy via the phone number +298 293058 to inquire when and how the boat is sailing on that particular day. From Hattarvík, the path is easy to find. You will walk south along the road through the gate. Then you will walk up towards the stone gate, past Dirhamar, Gullheygg and Kyrjaheygg and straight up towards Kross—this is where the road goes around the mountain crest. The path is not frequently used, so it is not visible; however, there are cairns, so it is easy to ensure you are heading correctly.Once you arrive down the mountain crest by Kross, you will walk below electric pilling heading down to Kirkja. Both Hattarvík and Kirkja are fascinating villages to wander through. In Kirkja, you can walk down to the church and continue to the old landing, Niðri á Gjógv.<br>
See more detailsThe hike starts in the village of Gásadal. From Gásadal, you will walk along the Slættanes path towards the valley and then up towards the crest between Árnafjall and Eysturtind. Up on the mountain crest by the cairn 150-meters south of Lambagjógv, the trail splits and becomes quite gritty. From there, heading east, you start heading down to the village of Víkar. On the mountain crest at an altitude of 519-meters, you witness a gorgeous view spanning across Vágar, Vestmanna, Saksun cliffs and the mountains further north on the island Streymoy. Looking down at the tremendous plain below, you will see the ruins of the village Víkar.The village was founded in 1833; however, as it was difficult to reach, life in the village only lasted for 81 years, leaving it isolated in 1914. In 1855, when the population was at its highest, 16 people lived in three houses in Víkar. The villagers owned 6-8 milk cows and laterox; the villagers would also sometimes sell puffins caught in the bird cliffs. From the mountain crest, the path runs primarily straight downwards in a north-eastern direction. Bit by bit, as we walk downward, we near the gorge. At about 300-meters altitude, we arrive down the grassy terrain where the path starts to run more evenly by the gorge.Once down, you can see two brooks which run downwards on the southside of the gorge, which meet down on the plain. Walk down between these brooks. Above where the streams meet, walk east of them downwards towards Víkar. Here the path is not visible due to gritty terrain, but once you are down on grassy terrain, you will start to see a path run down along the back between the brooks, about 60-80-meters south of Lambagjógv.Be careful not to get too close to Lambagjógv as we annually experience rockfalls in the area. Furthermore, there is a significant crack in the terrain between the lowest part of Lambagjógv and the outer brook, which clearly shows that this can collapse at any point. Therefore, for your safety, do not go out towards the external brook.The route down towards Víkar is decent and walkable on a dry day. However, due to the grittiness at the top of this route and its steepness, it is unsuitable for children and people unaccustomed to hiking on such terrain. If the way becomes too steep and challenging, you have likely gone too far east of Lambagjógv.Like many other places, this path includes somewhere to place your coffin and rest whilst carrying the deceased between Víkur and Gásadal. This resting place is in the middle of the steep slope at 370-meter altitudes on a prominent rocky knoll called Á Kristu.Once you have walked down to the plain, walk down to the settlement by Stórá. The houses there are not the original village houses but are instead houses used daily by those with sheep in Víkar and the close area. However, the old foundations and cultivating plains can be seen there and whilst walking around the area; you can imagine what it was like to live there.It could be beautiful and peaceful during the lovely summer days and lonely and hard during violent wintery days. One might wonder why people even decided to settle there in Víkar. This is especially a challenging place to live, considering the challenging path to the closest neighbour village Gásadal, and the even more challenging path to Býggjar, where the villagers would shop. It is not surprising that the village population decreased. The last house to leave Víkar was taken down, moved and built back up in Gásadal.On a decent summer day with no heavy surf, we recommend walking down towards Nevtanga, located down by the high vertical cliff on the bank. The scenery is beautiful here. It is possible to walk down this ridge on the west side by Nevið to where two boathouse foundations stand. There were two boats in Víkur whilst people lived there. Below the cliff lies this significantly large and long straight bedrock on Nevtanga. On this bedrock, there are only a few large rocks under the ridge and further under the western end, as the rest of the bedrock has been hoovered for loose material.Up towards the bedrock, you can see several larger and smaller waters with their colourful green seaweed. This seaweed creates beautiful exhibitions facing the cliffs under Ritunøva, on the other side of the bay, and to the northern end of Streymoy. The Víkur boats were pulled across this long bedrock, and there were few working hands in Víkur, so the job was challenging and heavy.On your way out of Víkur, you will head back to Gásadal along the same route you came from.
See more detailsIt is recommended that you start in Mikladalur, from where it is easier to ascend. Go straight up the hill from the gospel hall named Malta, passing through several gates before climbing over a low fence between the dirt road and a rock wall. Next, hike up to the hillside Vørðan, marked with a 3 m high pole with a read buoy, which shows the way to the path through the rock ledges.Signposts lead you up from Mikladalur, making it is easy to follow the path. The stretch north toward the valley of Djúpadalur is good to walk. However, the most difficult stretch of the hike is the first 500 metres after entering Djúpadalur, crossing the rock ledges above Ovararók. Here you walk along a narrow and steep ledge with a significant drop on its outer edge (see the picture). In summertime, when it is dry, it is good to walk. Since you walk along the edge of a ledge with a sheer drop, this is <i>not at all suitable</i> for people who are afraid of heights. Here you need to focus and pay close attention to where you are walking, taking it slowly, step by step, and be ready to steady yourself if needed. Also, make sure that your shoelaces are securely tied, and that the ends of your laces are tucked in so that they do not catch something, causing you to stumble.The green grass-covered valley Djúpadalur is very beautiful, with rows of broad rock ledges stacked between Mt. Nestindar towering above the valley and the gorge Djúpadalsgjógvin in its base. Many sheep graze in the valley, and in the old days it also served as an outfield for the cows. From Trøllanes the cows were led along the village path, but in Mikladalur they had to take the cows over the mountain and into the valley along a cattle trail. Now that you can reach Djúpidalur by a tunnel, everything has become far more convenient. Today, the sheep are not kept in the valley during the winter.From Djúpidalur, take the path above the gorge Djúpadalsgjógvin, go north through the pastures of Norðaraskor, and from there to hillside known as heim til Vørðu. Here too, you will find a 2-metre-high pole with a red buoy, which shows the path into the crags. The whole path through Djúpidalur is easy to spot.The path down to Trøllanes goes in a fairly straight line from the buoy to the village. Signposts guide you along. When you go through the gate in the rock wall, angle westward down to a pole. From there, take a 90 degree turn to your right, and then follow the signposts to the end of the road in the eastern part of the village.You should not venture on this hike when it is slippery, snowing, raining, or if it has been raining in the past few days. As is indicated on the sign in Trøllanes, you are not allowed to veer of the path. This is for your own safety.The hike can be taken in either direction. But the locals prefer to take the hike from Mikladalur as the hill down to Trøllanes is very steep.
See more detailsThe 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.
See more detailsThe village path between Norðradalur and Tórshavn starts where the gate and sign has been erected. From there, you follow the path and red wayfinding poles to the southern part of the village and out through the cattle trail.The hike up to the valley is quite steep but the path is grass-covered and easy to walk. Entering valley, everything becomes very tranquil, pleasant and beautiful, especially in the afternoon sun.Leaving the valley, you hike through steep terrain up to the pass. From there, the path is level and good for walking through a rocky plateau down to the broad pass Sundshálsur. From here you walk on the Havnardals bridge to Bøllureyn. Continue pass to the firestation in Tórshavn.
See more detailsThe hike starts by the river in the middle of the village, where you find the old watermill. The mill, which is a listed structure, was used to grind grain in times past. There are two roads in the village. Take the high road and soon you find yourself on the cairn path that slopes upward in a southern direction.Enjoy the sound of waves hitting the bedrock below the path while looking out to the isle of Skúvoy, where Sigmund Brestisson lived and was buried. Brestisson, renowned from the Faroese Saga, was the chieftain who Christianised the Faroes by force around AD 1000.To the south you will find the islands Stóra Dímun and Lítla Dímun. In that direction you also see the northern end of the isle of Suðuroy, including Mt. Borgin by the village Sandvík.Flotsam Eldorado<br>Skarvanes has always been a small village. It was one of the country’s best places to grow grain. But it was not good for going out fishing because of frequent heavy surfs. However, the village was great for flotsam, especially the bay Suggan was renowned for drawing flotsam in.Díðrikur á Skarvanesi (1802-1865), also known as Díðrikur of Kárastova, lived here. He is known as the first painter in the Faroes. Some of his unique bird illustrations have survived and can be viewed at the National Gallery of the Faroe Islands.When you have hiked for about 700 metres, you walk up a ledge with a fairly steep drop. But just be careful and it is easy to walk.<br>The path slopes gently upwards in a southernly direction and is well marked with posts and cairns. When you have walked just over a kilometre you come up to Mt Gjófelli, where a unique and beautiful sight awaits you—wide plains and pleasant pools and lakes.Continue up to the cairn called Handastavarði. By now you are halfway through your hike. The hike is level here, and when visibility is good, you see all the way to the isle of Mykines and the islet Mykineshólmur in the east.The wide plains up here are impressive. The outfields, especially Skorin to the south, are good for raising sheep, partly due to the many puffins that fertilise them.<br>When you have hiked a little more than three kilometres, you will see Dalur in the distance. Dalur is the southernmost village in Sandoy. The village has been very isolated, not reachable by road before 1963. Therefore, the cairn paths to the neighbouring villages of Húsavík and Skarvanes have been vital.Going through a very steep hill, the current road between Dalur and Húsavík is often impeded by fallen rocks and landslides. In 2020, the first blast for a new tunnel between the villages was detonated.When you have reached the last cairn, take the road down into the village. This is the old peat road that was constructed in the late 1930s. The villagers cut peat up in the hills near the outfield known as Skorin and used the road to lug it back on horseback. Today, this road is mostly used when tending to sheep.<br>When you have reached level ground, look up to the hills to see the beautiful rock walls that surround the village.The Faroese chain dance is alive and well in Dalur, and has the village fostered many a great chanter. The village church was consecrated in 1957, making it one of the newer churches in the Faroes. Before the church was built, the villagers went to Húsavík to go to church.Down at the pebble beach, the pebbles are both unique and beautiful, and a deep rumble is heard when the surf wells over them. It is illegal to take pebbles from the beach, as the beach protects the village from the winter surfs.
See more detailsThe route between Argir and Kirkjubø is the second route connecting Tórshavn and Kirkjubø. This is the less used of the two paths between Tórshavn and Kirkjubø, as the more common route starts in Havnadal. However, this path between Argir and Kirkjubø was still used in the past for things such as travelling from Kirkjubø to the hospital. A large part of this route consists of gravelly terrain, making it difficult to see the path. Therefore, we strongly recommend using the GPX file to ensure the track is found and followed. Along this route are cairns; however, it is not always easy to distinguish between the real and ‘fake’ cairns, which will lead you away from the original route.This trip is beautiful and unique with its gravelly terrain, many cliffs, and almost moonlike nature. During this trip, you will walk by the gorgeous Porkerisvatn (Porkeri’s lake), where it is ideal to stop for a minute and enjoy nature. It is said that William Heinesen, a famous Faroese author and artist, found inspiration for some of his sketches walking in this area, Kirkjubøreyni. It is said that his troll drawings are inspired by this area.
See more detailsThe route starts in the ancient village of Múli, which lies northward on the eastern side of the island of Borðoy. It is beautiful and peaceful arriving at Múli, even a bit peculiar. Guttorm í Múla is said to have a reputation that exceeded him—he was the most famous wizard in the Faroe Islands. This is probably why this place feels magical. No one lives there.You will walk through the village on the northern side of the grassy terrain, where you will see some bushes. At about 100-meters further north, there is a fence that leads to the stone gate. You will walk up north of the fence, through the stone gate and then 30-meters further north to the corner of the fence, which lies on a flat surface in Hagabrúgv. From there, you walk north along the flat plains towards a sheep bolus 200-meters north. The path will not be visible during the start of your hike, but once you reach the sheep bolus and corn storage soon after, the track is visible. Before you know it, you are walking on steep terrain on the north side; notice that the path splits twice, and you must choose the upper trail both times.<br>Whilst you walk westward, the island of Kunoy will come into view. At about a 100-meter altitude, you will follow the village path around Múli. After making a round trip circling Múli, you start to walk southward. Here above Fuglatúvuna, you arrive at the steepest point of the route. During good summer days, this route is good to walk for people who are not afraid of heights. However, it is a different story during the winter as winter weather combined with the ocean directly beneath can easily cause unease. On the path south of Ørmansdal, you walk through Múlagjógv and several deep gullies where the view down the rock ledges is excellent. From Ørmansdal and southward, it is not steep.Ásagjógv is approximately kilometres south of Ørmansdal. This is where boats could set up in case of any route issues or bad weather. Here the boats could be dragged up onto the sand in the gorge; however, the boats could not be dragged out of the gorge, and the fishermen would sometimes sleep there. In later years this did become possible with the help of Heina-Jógvan, who also worked on the path to Árnafjarð. Today there is only a badly worn and rusty staple left, so walking there is not recommended.Once arriving into vision, just south of Ásugjógv is Skálatoftir, with green cultivated fields and the ruined house remains. As you come nearer, it is easy to imagine how it was to live here as a community. Skálatoftir has a collection of only six houses, one of which is kept south of the stone gate. In 1880, 23 people lived in four houses, which is probably the highest number of people to have lived in Skálatoftir. Three of these houses were built together like a connecting terrace; the set-up of these houses was Kongsstovan and Innistovan on each end, and between these two Roykstovan.<br>Up from the house furthest north, you walk down some steps to the landing called Kleivina, where boathouse foundations stand. It is interesting to consider that these steps are still decent to walk on even though they are overgrown with grass.You walk up towards the house and from here back home through the grassy path. You continue along the village path once you arrive back through the stone gate; the first stretch is paved. There is much to see on the other side of the fjord, including some of the highest mountains in the Faroe Islands and Skarðsgjógv, the largest Faroese gorge. Before you know it, you have arrived south of Strond by the embarkment around Haraldssund.
See more detailsA beautiful and peaceful hike. The stretch from the pass and the next kilometre down through the gorge Trongmannagjógv to Skála is especially interesting.Many small peat storage huts are by the river Tvørá close to Selatrað.The terrain is grass-covered and good for walking throughout, except west of the pass, where it is a little rocky. Two fences with ladders have to be crossed. Another fence must be climbed over by the village wall in Selatrað.It is easier to find the path when starting in Skála. Here, you walk up through the gate by the river Gjógvará, heading south toward an opening in the fence, from where you will see the first cairn that you need to follow. Well-maintained cairns are throughout the hike except for the last stretch down to Selatrað, which has no cairns.It is necessary to bring the GPX file with you on the hike since it is easy to take the path toward Skálabotnur instead of the one toward Skála—the lower stretch by Selatrað, descending from the river Breiðá, is shared with the path to Skálabotnur.
See more detailsIt is recommended to park by the sheep pen in Langasandur, where the road Rættargøta ends. From there, walk through the sheep pen and continue about 60 metres to an opening in the fence, which takes you to the outfields. Continue straight up the hill until you reach the path. Since the path is not visible from Langasandur, the use of a GPS is recommended.There is no visible path from Saksun toward Langasandur either, since only a few people take this hike. Four cairns are along the path, all on the last stretch from Langasandur up toward Knúkur, from an elevation of 373 metres up to 505 metres.There is a big parking lot in Saksun just north of the bridge crossing the lake Saksunarvatn.The hike can be taken in either direction, weather and mode of transportation deciding which direction is preferable. The hike to Saksun is more beautiful.
See more detailsIf you start in Kvívík, you can park the car in the village, and walk the whole way to Válur. However, it is more convenient to park by the igloos close to the main road above Kvívík. Please park here and not by the sheep sheds, where the first cairn is located.From here, you go east to the big river, which you follow for about 500 metres until you come up to where an islet, Breiðáhólmur, is in the river. From here, cairns will lead you onward. The cairns are well-kept and easy to spot all the way to Válur.The village path is not easy to find in Válur. If you start here, go through one of the two gates in the fields outside Válur. One of them is above the sheep shed, east of the crag Veggjamanshamar, and the other is to the west, in the gully Kráargil. You can start in both places. Parking is also available in both locations.The path can be walked in either direction, weather and mode of transportation deciding which direction is preferable.
See more detailsFrá rættini norðan fyri Kelduna gongur tú eftir stóru brúnni tvørtur um ánna, og haðani niðan til stóra Stórheyggj, har ein varði hómast uppi á. Haðani verður gingið beina leið niðan til gjómunnan í erva, har sera vakurt er at hyggja oman í gjónna við Skálafjørðinum í baksýninum. Men ansa eftir, tí har er høgt út av.<br>Komin niðan um gjómunnan er tað sum um at tú trínur inn í ein annan heim. Tað gerst stilt og friðsalt. Tú sært hugnaligu ánna, sum møk rennur oman millum heyggjarnar í dalinum. Halt fram allan vegin niðan fram við ánni, niðan á skarðið Høgukinnaskarð, har tú samstundis kanst njóta góða útsýnið út eftir Skálafjørðinum.<br>Niðan móti skarðinum allan vegin niðan á Oyrarskarð eru góðir og stórir varðar. Ávegis kanst tú njóta góða útsýnið yvir Funningsfjørð og øll fjøllini á norðurendanum á Eysturoynni – eisini Slættaratind.<br>Tað er ikki torført at ímynda sær kendu søgnina um Orm bónda, har hann á hesti sínum ríðir runt í hesum víða og óbygda øki. Hann var kendur fyri at stjala seyð frá sínum grannabóndum, Funningsbóndanum norðanfyri og Oyrabóndanum vestanfyri. Og nógvar eru søgurnar um freku seyðatjóvarnar, sum gjørdu um seg á hesum leiðum, m.a. tann um Jákup Dintil í Syðrugøtu.<br>Leiðin gongur beina leið oman í Vesturdal. Tá tú kemur oman móti Lokkafelsgjógv eru tveir hamaðir, sum tú skalt oman um. Serliga tann ovari er brattur í støðum, so ansa eftir honum. Har eru tó fleiri støð har tað er lætt at ganga, so tað er bara at leita. Tað er ein fyrimunur at ganga eftir GPX fíluni.<br>Komin oman í Vesturdal fylgir tú ánni, sum møk rennur oman á Reiðgøtuna niðri á hamaranum. Halt teg uppi á hamaranum. Dreyga av til høgu, suðureftir Høga Hvíthjalla. Her sært tú onkran varða, men teir eru ikki viðlíkahildnir, og tískil liggja fleiri av teimum flatir.<br>Her er gott at ganga, har lendið er skiftandi vallað og hella. Útsýnið er gott yvir dalin. Tá tú kemur eystur á endan á slættanum, sært tú oman á ein lítlan spískan heygg fram við ánni, kallaður Stevnuválur. Hetta er elligamli tingstaðurin í Eysturoynni.<br>Tá tú kemur eystur um Rustina skalt tú ganga omanav, men bert so langt oman, at tú kemur oman um tað brattasta. Haðani skalt tú ikki ganga longur oman, men halda teg í somu hædd, og ganga beint móti Skálafirði. Tú skalt verða omanfyri hegnið hjá bóndanum. Hegnið førir teg heim til Tippafossi, niðanfyri Øksnagjógv. Her er best at ganga eftir GPX fíluni.<br>Tað er sera vakurt og hugnaligt at koma oman til høga og vakra Tippafoss. Uppi frá stóru Øksnagjógv, beint omanfyri, rennir áin gjøgnum eitt djúpt gil oman til fossin, niður í ein stóran djúpan hyl, og haðani víðari oman í Fjarðará. Samb. søgnini var tað her, at áður nevndi Ormur bóndi goymdi líkini av Oyrabóndanum og syni hansara, eftir at hann hevði dripið teir. Í svøvni kom hann at fortala seg, har hann segði “Klæðini liggja undir kvørnini, og kropparnir undir Typpafossi!”. Húskallarnir hoyrdu hetta og funnu kropparnar og blóðdálkaðu klæðini. Hann bleiv stevndur og við áðurnevnda Stevnuvál, bleiv hann dømdur til deyðis. Samstundis sum dómurin bleiv sagdur, sprakk hann avstað og kláraði at flíggja á hesti sínum út móti Skála. Men eftir eina kapprenning fyrst á hestum og síðani til fóts, bleiv hann innheintaður og fekk hælsinina skorna yvir. Á hestbaki bleiv hann so fluttur aftur til Stevnuvál, har hann bleiv dripin og jarðaður.<br>Gakk víðari seinasta strekkið, beint omanfyri Stórheyggj, og haðani oman til seyðarættina áraka stóra bygningin hjá samkomuni Kelduni í Skálafirði, har brúgv er tvørtur um ánna. Portrið er omanfyri rættina.
See more detailsSince the crags of the pass Sunnaraskarð above the village of Syðradalur are very steep, it is recommended to only pass through them in summertime when it is dry. However, you can always take the hike west to Sunnaraskarð and enjoy the views before turning back to Tórshavn.The hike starts on the road Oyggjarvegurin, by the parking lot about 200 m above Marknagil, just above a racecourse. To the west of the racecourse, you will spot the first cairn on top of a boulder.In the past, when people from Tórshavn walked to Syðradalur, the main road they would take out of town was called Dalavegur (Valleys’ Road) as it was the road to the two villages Syðradalur and Norðradalur (South Valley and North Valley).<br>Those who travelled on foot used the lower road, out through the valley Havnardalur, continuing up and over the pass Dalsskarð.<br>Those who had packhorses took the high road as it was impossible to take the horses through Sunnaraskarð above Syðradalur. These would take the wide pass of Sundshálsur and continue up and over the pass Reiðskarð.<br>The journey into Havnardalur on the road Landavegurin was also in much use in more recent times. The road was built in 1936 in order to take the good peat from the out-of-the-way peatlands of Havnardalur. The road led up to the crags of Havnardalur by the river Gunnisá and continued up to Dalsskarð. The road was partly paid by a peat tax.<br>When Oyggjarvegurin was constructed in the 1950s, going north of the pass Sundshálsur, across Mt. lítla Runufjall to the river Grøv, people would drive north to the river and then walk across Reiðskarð to Syðradalur. Since then, the village path over Dalsskarð has been used less and less, and has therefore not been maintained, and many of its cairns have fallen down.Follow the cairns leading you in a westward direction. The path is good, and the walk is pleasant with good views to the west, where you will, as you ascend, see the island Hestur appear beyond the pass Velbastaðhálsur. Here you often meet people on foot or horseback. If you meet horses on the path, it is polite to go 2-3 m off the path and stand still until the horses have passed you—so not to surprise them.<br>When you reach the river Tvørá, leave the path and follow the cairns up through the windmill park. It is easy to walk over the fairly even and grass-covered terrain across the field Flatnahagi. At one point, you cross the road leading to the windmills. As you descend toward the dam in Havnardalur, and when you are in line with the dam, turn down toward it. When you reach the path by the reservoir, follow it across the dam, and remember to enjoy the views over the fields of Havnardalur. The water reservoir was built in 1966 when Tórshavn’s population had reached 10,000.<br>Having reached the other side of the dam, walk about 350 m northward on the western side of the reservoir. It is a beautiful walk, especially when there is no wind, and you see everything reflect in the water. On the ridge between the two big rivers on the western side, you will see a cairn that has fallen down. From here, you walk straight up Dalsskarð over the grassy hill. The next cairn is about 200 m further up. From here, the cairns stand relatively close to each other all the way to Sunnaraskarð above Syðradalur. The final stretch up to Dalsskarð is somewhat rocky but still good for walking.<br>When ascending from the reservoir, the views down through Havnardalur get better. This is where the townsfolk had their good but not very accessible peatlands. Though no one cuts peat anymore, townspeople still head into the valley to relax and walk in the beautiful surroundings. Many people have rights to fields here, scouts have their club houses and riding clubs their barns, tracks and halls.<br>Nearing the apex, you will have a good view over the island of Nólsoy and north toward the island of Eysturoy, where you see its mountains, the spit Raktangi and parts of the fiord Skálafjørður with the Northern Isles in the background.<br>When you have reached the top of Dalsskarð, your views westward only become better and better. Down through the valley called Millum Skørðini, an amazing view with Vágoy island in the background awaits you. Go to the edge of the pass, sit down and enjoy the views with a cup of coffee before returning to Tórshavn. Or, if you are brave, continue down through the steep crags—but this is not a venture for those who suffer from vertigo. And, as mentioned, it is not advisable to go down through the crags except on a dry summer day wearing good hiking booths. Be careful and make sure to wear clothes that do not easily slip on gras.<br>There are many who take this hike. In the past, the postman took the path twice a week with mail to Syðradalur.<br>When you go down from the cairn above Sunnaraskarð, descend down the northside of the waterfall, never being more than 20 m from the fall, in this way:<br>• Descend 6 m down from the cairn, then veer left toward the river, and continue down below the first crag.<br>• Continue 10 m down through the grass-covered patch to the lower part of the crags.<br>• Take a left toward the river and then veer right down through the high crags, down to the grassy filed. This is the most difficult section. Where the rock is wet, it can be very slippery. In places you will need to squat down or crawl. In places, you will find a rocky path.<br>• When you have come down to the grass-covered area, veer again to the left toward the river, and then switchback down the grass-covered ridge until you reach the field below to crags.<br>Use the GPX file to guide you.<br>
See more detailsThe route starts at the school in Argjahamar.<br>Continue down up between the school and the playground on the south side. Above the playground are some steps crossing over the fence. There is some construction happening past the fence, so walking up through this area can be slightly unpleasant, especially in wet terrain.<br>Once you’ve crossed over the fence and passed the construction area, you will see the first cairn above. These are the cairns leading to the village path heading to Kirjubøur. Follow the cairn about 400 meters up to Klingrutjørn. Just after Klingrutjørn, turn right off the village path and continue up westward along the Rygsá brook. Follow the brook towards the three large cairns on top of Kongavarða.Up by the brook, the terrain is decent for walking. There is a peat shed on the route, and there are also some others that are slightly visible from there too. Even though this land is part of Kirkjubøur, people from Tórshavn cut peat here. Once past the steep section through Keksisskarð, the terrain becomes quite rocky; however, the distance is short and easy to manage.The view is gorgeous once you are on top of Kirkjubøreyn. You can see south to Sandoy and Kirkjubøkamb, east towards Nólsoy and north over the northern islands, Eysturoy and Streymoy. There is also a beautiful view spanning over Tórshavn and out towards Havnardalur.Even the stony soil up here is unique as it looks like moonlike terrain, with rocks and cliffs which cannot be found in many other places in the Faroe Islands. Amidst all these rocks stand the significantly large cairns. When the Danish king visited the Faroe Islands in 1907, three men were sent there to watch and check when the ship would arrive. However, it became lengthy and cold to wait, so they decided to build a cairn to help them keep warm. The middle cairn is the Kongavarða (tr. “King’s Cairn”). The other two were built in the 1980s and 1990s.<br>This is an excellent destination to sit and enjoy the view with a good cup of tea.<br>The route down is the same as the route up.<br>
See more detailsIn Fámjin, you can start by the church, from where you take the lane by Fámjinsvegur 41 and continue on the village path. As soon as you are above the main road, you must climb over a fence to continue on the village path.As you reach the hill Reyðabakki, at an elevation of 375 metres, you can enjoy the views of over the mountains around Fámjin, renowned for their beauty. From Reyðabakki, the hike continues southward through the plain of Fløtan. Having walked 1.3 km over the plain, you reach the outfield of Bjarghagi, where you go through a gate.In Bjarghagi you will find several smaller and larger lakes, the largest being Mittvatn (elevation, 347 m) and Ryskivatn (elevation, 244 m). The view over the lakes at Bjarghagi, scattered at various elevations, is unique and beautiful. Above the lakes you will find the majestic peaks Borgin and Borgarknappur in addition to the ledge Glopprókin with its unique columnar basalt embedded into the mountain ridge.The village path continues straight down to Ryskivatn, the largest of the lakes, lying at the bottom of Bjarghagi. Walk along the lake, cross the dam, continue south along the lake, and walk the short stretch on the dirt road to the parking lot. If your car is parked in Vágur, you can walk from the dam to the big parking lot below it. If you do not have a car, walk the 4 km on the dirt road to Vágur. From the road you see the power plant at Botnur, which is the first power plant in the Faroe Islands.<br>
See more detailsThe route starts by the boat basin north of the village Haraldssund. The path becomes more visible once you are a little further along the beach. Many brooks and streams are along the way heading north, and please be cautious where the bedrock is slippery. In the past, there was much communication between Haraldssund and Skarð, and the path between these two villages connected them for centuries.It is uncertain how old the village of Haraldssund is; however, it is believed that both Haraldssund, Kunoy and Skarð are exceedingly old villages. Haraldssund is a calm place, and in the olden days, all the villages in Kunoy had boathouses in Fiskimøl, which is just south of where the tunnel entrance is today.The route to Skarð is fascinating because it runs close to the beach, and you can hear the waves hit the cliffs and see the cliffs and mountains stand above you. Kunoy is the highest island in the Faroe Islands and has no less than six of the ten mountains that stand above 800-meters in the Faroe Islands. Many areas are not walkable, and we advise you not to wander into the mountains of Kunoy without an experienced guide.Once you have walked about 1.5km, you arrive at Skarðsmannastíggj, where the men in Skarð would travel up after fishing with the men from Haraldssund men. First, they would head up Skarði and row with the Haraldssund men south to the rockface, and then from there, they would walk back north to Skarð.The men in Skarð had a boathouse in Búðadal, and these ruins can be seen just north of Búðadal lake, which was the old indicator between the two villages. On days when the sea was too rough in Skarð, the men used the boathouse in Búðadal or rowed to Haraldssund.After about 5km, you can see Skarð and the house ruins, which seem extremely small down by the beach. Whilst we walk towards Skarðdal, at 500-meters, the high rock edges under Kúvingarfjall and Middagsfjall start to appear. Once we reach Skarð, we can see right up on the mighty Skarði with the largest gorge in the Faroe Islands, the gravelly Skarðsgjógv.Follow the path north of the village past the unique waterfall in Skarðdalsá; on the other side of the pool is Skálatoftir, which is also a ruined village. Then walk past the stone fence at the top until you suddenly arrive at the house ruins.From the village, there is a decent path heading down to Kleivina, where you can see how difficult it would have been for Skarð people to float boats in the area.On the 23rd of December in 1913, seven Skarð men and a boat were sunk and lost at sea due to sudden bad weather. The village lost all of their best working men in one day. Life became hard, and the village was deserted in 1919. There is a memorial set up in Skarð to remember the men lost at sea.We recommend giving yourself time to enjoy the stillness and view in Skarð before you continueing back home.If you decide to hike from Skarð to Kunoy through the gorge reaching an elevation of 618 metres, we only recommend doing this with an experienced guide. The route is challenging and potentially dangerous if you take the wrong path. This route is only suited for very experienced and fit hikers.
See more detailsThe start takes place in Mikladal, by the large bend in Sevgrøv right outside the village where the shortcut runs up to Lítladal. The path is part of a 14.5km long route between Syðradal and Trøllanes, which usually takes 4.5 hours to walk. The route was much used because both Trøllanes and Mikladal are high surf areas, meaning that they were often not approachable via boat during long periods of time.The path is decent and visible most of the route. The area in which the path is not visible is during the walk across Ritudal and Villingadal. It is stunning to hike up out of Mikladal as this gives you a fantastic view of the village below, Nestindar 788-meters above, and the eastward cliffs. On the other side of the fjord, you will see the island of Kunoy, which is known for having several high and steep mountains. When you look down at the bedrock below the village, you will vaguely see the statue of Kópakona (selkie lady).It will feel like a quick and easy walk south towards Ritudal. Once in Ritudal, you will walk down the valley along the bendy shortcut; the visibility of the path makes it apparent how much the track has been used.Down in the valley by the large hill is an old-money hole with a sign saying, 'Good cause'. It is said that back in the day, those who walked past with loose change would toss it into the hole. However, it is unclear who distributed the money, who donated and who emptied the hole.Out of Ritudal, you will walk south through Bustin to Villingadal and further south around the valley, south in Lundurðarnar. There you can see two paths in Lundurðurnar. Take care that you take the upper path to arrive at Lunnarsgjógv, the mark between Mikladal and Húsar.<br>With a beautiful view up towards honourable Hattardalstind, standing at 644-meters, you walk the last stretch from Lunnarsgjógv south into Hattardal, where the path merges onto the main road.
See more detailsThe hike starts at the end of the road leading west from Sandvík. Go through the gate and follow the cairns leading upwards the hillside.Sandvík is among the oldest Faroese village. According to Færeyinga Saga the viking cheiftan Sigmundur Brestisson, who christened the Faroe Islands, swam from Skúvoy to Sandvík in the 11th century after being attacked by his enemies. He arrived exhausted on the beach, and was killed by Torgrímur Illa who stole Sigmundur’s golden arm ring.The first part of the trip is quite easy, but the path gets steeper. The distance between the cairns gets larger, so it can be difficult to find the way in dark or foggy weather conditions.In clear weather the view towards Sandvík and the island of Lítli Dímun is fantastic. A memorial stone that commemorates the 14 men who died during a whaling disaster in 1915 is located close to the top. By 1958 the stone had been badly damaged by wind and rain and so it was repaired and replaced. <br>Continue down towards the village of Hvalba. This is a straightforward and easy path on grassy grounds. During the summer you’ll notice a rich birdlife. The village of Hvalba is situated on large and flat fields and has historically been one of the most populous and wealthy settlements on the islands. Towards the end can be a bit tricky to see the path. Look for the path along the river where a stone wall is on the left and a fence is so the right. Continue to the concrete water tanks, where the outfield gate is situated.
See more detailsThe route starts at the old school in Sandur. Follow the road Undir Reynum. Continue along the road that says Søltuvíkarvegur.On the right-hand side of the road, after about 700 metres, you will have your first encounter with the witch. Here, the Gívrinarspor (Witch’s Footprint) is visible in stone.According to legend, there lived a witch in a hole west of Gróthúsvatn. One day, a man passed the hole Gívrinarhol – which we will pass later, and saw the witch grinding gold on a grinder. On the floor, a child was playing with a golden stick. The man grabed the golden stick from the child and fled from the spot on horseback. The witch called on a neighbouring witch, who ran after the man. She jumped across Gróthúsvatn, and you can still see the imprint of her foot in the stone. There are also imprints of her knuckles in this area.At Gróthúsvatn, there is a four-metre tall stone that the women of Sandur have decorated with a knitted cover, which is based on the legend of the witch. The stone has a circumference of 18 metres.Enjoy the view over the peaceful Gróthúsvatn. The serene nature of the lake is in stark contrast to the winter waves, which can be quite rough in this area. The sea does not even rest during the summer. Hear the waves relentlessly thunder against the rocks and feel the fresh scent of salt water.Sandur is one of the oldest villages in the Faroes. The latest archaeological excavations show that people have lived in the village as early as the years 300-400.From Gróthúsvatn, the path winds uphill, and after approximately one kilometre you will come to Gívrinarhol, a hole where the witch lived. From Gívrinarhol you can look to the southeast and see the old village of Skarvanes, which was one of the best places in the Faroe Islands to grow grain. You can also see Skúvoy. This was the home of Sigmundur Brestisson, the Faroese chieftain who, according to the Faroese saga, brought Christianity to the Faroe Islands. Skúvoy is also where his grave is located. From here, you also have a good view of Stóra Dímun, Lítla Dímun and Suðuroy.From Gívrinarhol and about 300 metres on, you must be careful as the terrain on the road’s left-hand side is steep. After a while it evens out again, and the terrain becomes flat all the way south to the mountain Salthøvdi. Here, the people in the village of Sandoy cut a large part of their quality peat.After about four kilometres, west of the Tyrilsválur hill, we have a good view down over the peat fields, where we very clearly can see the square so-called peat eyes. At this point there is a side road that goes in a south-westerly direction to a lookout post just south of Søltuvík. It is not permitted to drive on this side road. From the lookout you can enjoy the beautiful view over the steep cliffs on the western side of Sanoy, where you can, among other things, can see the 182 m high sea stack Oknadalsdrangur. You can consider taking this road out to the lookout post and from there along the edge down to Sølvuvík, and then back home along the paved road - i.e. you go in a circle clockwise.<br>Slowly, the bay of Søltuvík reveals itself, surrounded by a collection of rocks that only allow very small boats to come inside when the weather is good.Depending on the weather it can be harsh and ruthless. In November 1895, a shipwreck took place in the area. A British steamer, Principia, got caught in a storm and drifted into the rocky area. The ship sank and 28 people drowned. Only one person survived the tragedy. He managed to pull himself up on a cargo hatch and drifted at sea for 14 hours until he was rescued in Kirkjubøur. That same hatch is today used as a table top in Roykstovan on the old farm in Kirkjubøur.When you follow the road down to the beach, you can see two anchors from Principia that divers retrieved from the ocean floor in 2001. At the site, there is also a memorial stone in memory of the dead.
See more detailsThe hike starts south of the cattle grid in Norðoyri, an ancient village. Archaeological evidence suggests that people have lived here since the Viking era.<br>From the parking walk some 600 metres south on a dirt road that suddenly ends by a large cairn. From here, go upwards and follow path of gravel and loose rocks. This steep is short and from here the path is grassy and even, but clearly visible from foot and horse traffic. Before the valley of Skúvadal the path fades away and becomes grassy. Poles guide you along the final stretch to the newly built scout house.On clear days you can see all the way to Suðuroy, the southernmost island, as well as Lítli Dímun, the smallest island. When you arrive in the scout house you can sit on the bench and enjoy a meal. The house was originally built in 1941 by some 20 people from Klaksvík for recreational purposes. In 1949 the local scout group got rights to use the house. In 2016 the old and dilapidated house was demolished and a new was built on the same spot. The house was built by the lumber department at the technical collage in Klaksvík, and from carried by helicopter to Skúvadal in parts.Many lakes are some 600 metres east of the house. You might be lucky to see the rare red-throated loon, but be respectful an careful so as to not disturb the precious eco systems. Walk the same way back home.
See more details<span style="color:black;">The route starts at the parking lot below the church in the centre of Klaksvík. Walk approximately 100-200 metres towards the roundabout. Turn right and walk 25-50 metres to Vágstún, then to the left about 600 metres along Uppsalagøta and then Nýggivegur. Turn right and continue along Oman Eið, approximately 500 metres before you reach the roundabout. Follow the road Niðan Horn about 400 metres. Turn right and enter a partially unpaved dirt road, which has been nicknamed Ástarbreytin (The Love Path)</span><span style="color:black;">The gravel road continues all the way up to Hálsur. You can also drive up to Hálsur by car and park there. Note that the gravel road is somewhat uneven. Even though the path up to Klakkur is not well marked, it is very easy to find. Standing at the outfield gate, head for the highest point north of you. There is also a cairn that you see straight away and can use as a landmark. Start walking through old peat fields. It is grassy all the way up to Klakkur with scarcely a single tiny stone. This is one of the few places where it is possible to ski in the winter. Many birds breed here: Oystercatcher, Arctic Skua, Snipe, Golden Plover, Whimbrel, and Lesser Black-Backed Gull. Ravens can also be seen, and Rock Pipits inhabit the remains of peat storages.</span><span style="color:black;">In the valley just south of Hálsur is what the old folk called á Vaktini. Legend has it that people sat watching out for hostile ships here. When you have nearly come up the mountain and look down the west side, you can see Fagralíð. Fólkaháskúlin (Folk High School), which was</span><span style="color:black;">founded in 1889, originally stood here, until it was moved to Tórshavn. Símun av Skarði, a Faroese writer, poet and co-founder of Fólkaháskúlin, wrote the national anthem ”Tú alfagra land mítt” here in 1906. Be careful when you get to the top of Klakkur. It is very steep in some places. The view from the top is excellent. To the west, Leirvík, Gøtunes and Mjóvanes. Looking further south you see Nólsoy if visibility is good. Kalsoy lies to the north like a long snake on the sea. For many years, the island’s nickname was “The Flute” because of the many tunnels. There are four villages on Kalsoy. Syðradalur is on the southern tip, then Húsar, Mikladalur and Trøllanes on the northern tip, which cannot be seen from Klakkur. People come to Mikladalur to see the statue of Kópakonan (Seal Woman), which is based on a local village legend. Kunoy is the tallest island in the country. There are six mountains over 800 metres. Eastwards, you see Haraldsund, and Klaksvík spread out below. There were originally four villages here: Í Uppsølum, Í Gerðum, Á Myrkjanoyri and Í Vági. When you come down from Klakkur, you see Halgafelli in front of you and then Háfjall. On the other side of Klaksvík, you see Myrkjanoyrafjall and Kjølin (The Keel), named so because it looks like the keel of an upturned boat.</span><span style="color:black;">The route ends in the same place as it began.</span>
See more detailsIn the upper reaches of Kinnarvegur Road, above the village of Syðrugøta, you will find a small road leading out to the outfields gate, close to a gorge. From there, go west alongside the gorge. Though easy to spot in places, the path can be hard, even impossible to see. This path, running alongside the gorge Gøtugjógv, through the valley Gjódalur and over the pass Gjógvhálsar, is the old way to the outfields called norður í Haga. The path was also used to reach the peatland in Gjódalur as well as the villages to the north.<br>As you hike up the hill, you have wonderful views into the deep, beautiful and impressive gorge Gøtugjógv, which is part of a fissure that divides the country into two, from Gøtugjógv to the village of Saksun, Streymoy.Hike up along the length of the gorge until you reach its upper end. From here, go north, cross the river and hike the last stretch up through Gjódalur, alongside the gully Elspugil, and continue up to Gjógvhálsar (alt. 278 m.), which is the highest point of the path. You cross the river at a place called Húskallalopið (The Farmhand Leap). The story goes that in order to become a farmhand in the farm niðri við Hús in Syðrugøta, you had to be able to carry a wether all the way from the sheepfold by the estuary in the village of Skálafjørður, up over the pass Gjógvhálsar, and then jump across the river by the hollow Gjómunna (just above the gorge Gøtugjógv) without taking a break. Quite the feat! From Gjógvhálsar there are good views through the fiord Skálafjørður to the mountains in the north, the northernmost being Mt. Svarbakstindur; with its 801 metres, it is the tenth highest peak in the Faroes. Here you also see the gorges Øksnagjógv and Lokkafelsgjógv, which are part of the fissure mentioned above, which divides both the island of Eysturoy and Streymoy into two. Immediately north of you, you look down over the valley Ánadalur, where much peat used to be cut. Just above Ánadalur you will find the pass Trælavatnaskarð, where the village path from Kambsdalur leads up to.From Gjógvhálsar, angle down toward the terrace Hvíthjalli by Ánir. At Hvíthjalli, at an elevation of about 100 metres, just south of the river Norðastuá, the path merges with the path coming down from Trælavatnaskarð. Follow the path straight down to the main road.As mentioned earlier, much peat was cut in Ánadalur. It was cut by villagers from Søldarfjørður. The peat was taken down to Hvíthjalli with a telpher, and from there down to the beach Ánasandur using another telpher. From there it was taken to the village by rowing boats. The many peat store ruins at Hvíthjalli testify to the peat that once was cut there.Many stories are told about the brazen sheep thieves in the outfields called norðuri í Haga. One story is about the notoriously quick farmhand Jákup Dintil. He had gone to norðuri í Haga to tend to the sheep. As it was too late to walk the long way back home to Syðrugøta, he went into a sheep shed in norðuri í Haga, where people also could spend the night. Here he made himself comfortable on top of the sheep skins stretched out across the roof beams. Later, two sheep thieves suddenly entered the shed to slaughter a stolen sheep each and cook themselves a meal. As they sat eating, Jákup Dintil cut the rope holding the pot in such a way that the pot spilled over the thieves. Then he threw the skin over the men, jumped on them, trampled them and fled. Being fast, he outran them and sped home to Syðrugøta to tell the farmer, who rewarded him richly for the feat.It was also in these wide fields between Funningsfjørður and Skálafjørður, called Millum Fjarða, that men often got lost and died when drunk. Therefore, according to legend, Mikkjal, the sheriff of Eysturoy, initiated a new settlement in Skálafjørður. This made it also far easier to cut peat, because now they could transport it with a horse-drawn carriage that they borrowed in Skálafjørður.<br>
See more detailsThe route begins at Fitjarnar, west of Nes. Follow the fence between the infield and outfield up onto the ledge, Lítli Hamar. On the ledge is an overgrown stone path. The path is called Prestgøta (Priest’s Path), presumably because it is so broad that there was no need for the priest to dismount his horse.The path continues up along the gorge, Káragjógv, where, according to legend, the priest Kári fell whilst travelling on horseback. In some places it is rather steep, and there are loose stones, so be careful.<br>Hvalba and Sandvík are among the oldest villages in the Faroe Islands. Hvalba is, among other things, known for its coalmines.Back in the day, Hvalba was attacked by pirates multiple times. Tales are of a major attack in 1629 when pirates plundered and murdered several people. One of the pirate ships ran aground during a storm, and about 300 pirates were lost at sea. The ground where they were buried is called Turkagravirnar (The Turks' Graves) and is located next to the beach, just before Nes.<br>For centuries, the path along Káragjógv, Hvalbiarfjall and Mannagjógv in Trongisvágur was one of the main traffic routes and connected Suðuroy to the areas north of the fjord. People who arrived by boat to Suðuroy moored in Sandvík or Hvalba and then travelled onwards by foot.A different route would take you to Botnur and over Nakkur. It was shorter and faster, but harder for people with walking difficulties and those unfamiliar with the route.The traffic across Káragjógv substantially decreased when the tunnel of Hvalba opened in 1963 as the first tunnel in the Faroe Islands. In May 2021, a new tunnel to Hvalba opened to traffic.<br>When you get to the top, you will see Hvalbiarfjall right in front of you. Follow the cairns. The first hill you come to is called Lítli Íslendingur. To the west are Sigmundarsteinar – the stones that Sigmundur Brestisson is said to have carried up here. Legend says that if you walk between the stones, you won’t live out the year.Sigmundur was a Viking chieftain living in the Faroes around the year 1000 and a key figure in the Faroese saga. He lived in Skúvoy and converted the Faroese to Christianity, with a sword in his hand. According to legend, Sigmundur swam all the way from Skúvoy to Sandvík – most of the distance with two men on his back.All sorts of things have been carried and dragged over this mountain. It is said that the first pipe organ of Hvalba was carried across the mountain in the early 1890s. The organ weighed about 200 pounds.From Lítli Íslendingur and up toward Íslendingur, the ground is flat and even. The view from here is excellent. You can see both Lítla Dímun, Stóra Dímun, Skúvoy, Sandoy and a part of Hvalba. The name Íslendingur (Icelander) most likely derives from the cairn that stands tall against the northerly winds and quickly gets covered in ice in frosty weather.One of the cairns south of Íslendingur has a special story. On 1 December 1917, a man from Hvalba was on his way from Tvøroyri to Hvalba. When a snowstorm hit, he stopped by this cairn. To stay warm, he began disassembling and reassembling it. The man was found alive next to the cairn.<br>From Íslendingur there is a flat gravel path all the way to Mannagjógv. On this route, you can see the beautiful valley Vatnsdal and the lake Vatnsdalsvatn. The lake has two islets that are home to many birds.Typically, this hike is estimated to take two hours, but many examples are of much quicker trips across Hvalbiarfjall. Shortly after 1900, a Hvalba man covered the distance in 45 minutes when he ran from Hvalba to the old Doctor's house in Tvøroyri to fetch medicine for a sick child. During World War II, people would race on the path – the fastest runner back then completed it in 45 minutes and 35 seconds.From Mannagjógv, there is a remarkable view of the entire fjord of Trongisvágsfjørður. Trongisvágur is an old agricultural village, also known for coal mining. In the 18th century, Tvøroyri developed as a market town and the two villages slowly merged.At the gorge Mannagjógv, the path splits in two – you can go both ways. The path on the right takes you to the plantation in Trongisvágur, where you will find benches and tables and a great place to relax with a cup of coffee after the journey.
See more detailsThe hike starts by Guðrunarløkur, a brooklet located nearby the parking some 700 meters towards the road to Húsavík. Walk south along the main road to Húsavík.<br>According to legend the exceptionally rich Guðrun Sjúrðardóttir lived and owned land in Húsavík in the Middle Ages. You'll notice stonewalls and stone houses, some dating back to the times of Guðrun. It is estimated that 10 kilometres of stone wall is in Húsavík.<br>Continue towards the shore to the area known as Tumbakki. Here, you'll see several turf<br>sheds. No one knows the age or story surrounding the buildings, but it is likely that the houses have been used for food storage.<br>Continue along the main road and turn left towards Dalur. After 200 meters, walk through two large posts, indicating the start of the village path. Continue through the old stone ruins and out through the sheepfold.<br>Cairns lead the way, and despite the hill being quite steep, the path is wide and easy to walk. The path is well trodden, because it was used by villagers from Dalur every Sunday, before the completion of the Dalur Church in 1957. The road to Dalur opened in 1963. However, it road is narrow, and landslides are common, so work is being made to replace the old road with a tunnel between Húsavík and Dalur.Follow the small poles until you'll see the deep valley, which the village is named after. Dalur is famous for its strong traditions in Faroese dance and for having produced many excellent ballad chanters.<br>Walk down towards the village, continue across the river, and turn right to the road leading uphill. This road is from the 1930s and was built to connect the village to nearby peat fields. Today no one cuts peat anymore and the road is mostly used by local sheep farmers.<br>Follow the road for 1,3 kilometres, and don't forget to enjoy the great view. You'll see the sign pointing towards the village path to Skarvanes. Follow the poles and cairns up towards the hill until it flattens. During clear days several islands will be visible. The path starts leading downwards and becomes rather steep. Suddenly the tiny village of Skarvanes will be visible. Díðrikur á Skarvanesi (1802-1865), also known as Díðrikur of Kárastova, lived here. He is known as the first painter in the Faroes. Some of his unique bird illustrations have survived and can be viewed at the National Gallery of the Faroe Islands. Before arriving at the infield gate, a sign will point towards Guðrunarløkur. Turn to the righ and continue up the short hill. Cross the river and be careful if the path is slippery.<br>Follow the cairns and poles along the small lake, Dúniavatn. The last 2,5 km will take you through wet landscape. Try to stay on the eastern side where the path is much dryer, and a fence ladder will take you across the fence.Along the path are two rocks called Klovnusteinar. They look like a single rock that has been split into two. People used to believe that if you walked through the rocks, you would die before the year is over. This is most likely a myth, but try to steer around the rocks… Just in case.<br>When you arrive at Guðrunarløkur, continue towards the road some 70 meters north of the sheepfold, to where the hike started.
See more detailsThe village path between Hvalvík and Leynar is a wonderful and tranquil path. The long walk in the peaceful environment, where only a few birds break the silence, is balm to the soul. The hike up through the gorge to the pass Húsadalsskarð is challenging and a bit of an adventure. Having ascended the steep hill and reaching the pass, you enter a magnificent wide valley through which the path meanders.As you approach Leynar, you come to a big, wide and beautiful river, Dalá. Lovely columnar basalt is found just above the gully Djúpagil.If you start to walk in Hvalvík follow the new path by the Mission House in Hvalvík. Walk out through the village gateand up along the little house (hay barn). Continue up along the river Myllá until you surpass the upper stone wall. Then turn slightly left in a straight south direction and go diagonally uphill to the first cairn at an altitude of 145 metres.The path can be taken in either direction, weather and transportation options deciding which one to taske. The hike from Hvalvík is perhaps more scenic.<br>
See more detailsThe hike starts by the infield’s gate, just above Undir Kráarbrekku 21 in Klaksvík, also known as Rynkeby. From there you follow the village path north through the pastures of Myrkjanoyrarhagi past a lone cottage.This outfield belonged to the Faroese national hero Nólsoyar Páll (1766-1809) and has been in the family ever since. Nólsoyar Páll was a shipbuilder, captain, farmer and poet, among other things.Nólsoyar Páll wrote the satirical ballad, Fuglakvæðið (Bird Ballad), where he made bird caricatures of specific people in the community. The poem prompted anger among the Danish officials in the Faroe Islands, but amusement among ordinary citizens. Nólsoyar Páll disappeared on a voyage in the winter of 1808-1809. The farm of Nólsoyar Páll is being reconstructed at Biskupstøð in the centre of Klaksvík. Be sure to visit there on your way back.Walk through the old peat fields where residents in Klaksvík dug and dried peat for fuel. Some places you can see ruins from the ancient sod houses. There are many birds in the area, in particular Curlew, Oystercatcher, Golden Plover, Snipe and Herring Gull.When you get to the area above Ánir and up to Áarskarð, the landscape becomes more rugged. Be careful because some places may be slippery when wet. Áarskarð is a real treat. The view over the nice, small village of Árnafjørður and the high mountains that encircle the village is magnificent. To the south you see Lisshøvdi, and north into the bottom of the valley lays the ancient Thing, Katlarnir, which was the local court for the northern islands in the old days. On both your sides, two high mountains protrude skywards - to the north, Snæfelli, and to the south Myrkjanoyrarfjall.<i>Take a detour to Katlarnar</i>Katlarnir was the local Thing for the northern islands for centuries, where sentences were passed in various disputes and crimes. Parliament was in session during the spring. We do not know when it started, but there are signs that it ended around 1670-80. In addition to the great Thing Stones, there are smaller stones scattered on the rocky plateau, which were probably used for issues related to the Thing. To reach Katlarnir you must go diagonally down into the valley. There are cairns, but some of them can be difficult to spot. You enter through the area called Niðari Snæhjalli. As you approach the first large stream in the valley, you come to a fence. Climb carefully over the fence and cross the creek. The old Tingsteinur (Thing Stone) is located here.You can now choose to continue down to Árnafjørður or return to Klaksvík the same way you came.<i>Continue to Árnafjørður</i>If you choose Árnafjørður, you must walk about 500 metres back towards Áarskarð. However, do not climb Áarskarð again, but maintain roughly the same altitude as Katlarnir until you come to Rossastígar. There is a passage between the rocks where you can head down. Head for the scout hut that is further down where you will find the path down to the road between the two tunnels. Follow the cairns, but be very careful as the terrain is steep in some places.On your walk you will pass a boulder named Grindasteinur—Pilot Whale Boulder. According to Hanus Poulsen in <i>Árnafjørður – Staðarnøvn</i>, it was here that news of a pilot whale hunt would be shouted down to Árnafjørður, hence the name.It is challenging to hike down through the path called Ovarustígar, also known as upp í Jørnunum, where the path descends along an iron fence, where some of the steps are chiseled into the rock. The path is marked well with cairns and posts with reflectors.You come down onto the road between the two tunnels. The distance from here to the village of Árnafjørður is approximately one kilometre.From the tunnels down to Árnafjørður there are no posts to guide you. Walk closely by the so-called Minhúsið and from there down the path called Válagøtan, which runs along the ridge, to the village just east of the river Stórá and the church. The villagers of Árnafjørður built Minhúsið as shelter from mines that drifted into the bay and blew up.Árnafjørður is one of the oldest villages in the northern islands and the inhabitants mostly work in salmon farming. There are also good areas for lobster fishing in the fjord.The hike can be taken in either direction. However, the first ascent is more strenuous if starting in Árnafjørður.
See more detailsThe hike between Kollafjørður and Skælingur is beautiful with great views over the strait of Vestmanna and the island of Vágar. The view is better walking toward Skælingur as well as the hike being less strenuous as you start up high.The start of the path at either end is not very well marked, but otherwise cairns lead you most of the way. If you start at Kollafjørður, you can just see the first cairn after passing the road if you look carefully.There is good parking where the path begins in Skælingur.
See more detailsThe path starts by the water reservoir in the valley of Húsadalur in Sørvágur. Ascend northward on the path called Slættanesgøtan toward the lake Fjallavatn, ford the river Tunguá, and continue up to the narrow bog named Mýrubotnur. From there, hike north around the ridge just north of Mt. Tungufelli and continue north through the pastures of Slættaneshagi to Slættanes.The hike can be taken in either direction. As there is no road to Slættanes, where you start depends on how you access the path, by boat or on foot.
See more detailsStart at the crossroads Skálavík/Húsavík. Go 200 metres from Húsavík to Guðrunarløkur, which runs by a sheepfold by the road.Walk from the sheepfold at Guðrunarløkur onwards under the rock ledge to the south. Under the rock ledge is Runtaurð. The story is that Runti was a sheep thief who hid there. On Christmas Day, he risked leaving his hiding place in order to cook himself a meal as he thought that people would not be out. But this was not the case and he was seen and caught.A short way further on, the path comes to Klovnastein. These are two stones standing in such a way that they appear to be a single stone cleaved in two. Superstition had it that if you walked between them, you would die before the end of the year.The land you are walking on here is old peat land. When you curve south at Líðarøkur, you get a beautiful view of Dúnjavatn, with Stóra and Lítla Dímun, and Suðuroy in the background. You can also see Salthøvdi and the village of Sandur, which is thought to be one of the oldest villages in the Faroe Islands. A little north of Stóra Dímun is Øssursdrangur, named after Øssur Havgrímsson, a chieftain from the Viking Age, who was killed by Sigmundur Brestisson in a power struggle. South of Øssursdrangur is Grønaskor. Øssur asked to be buried so that his head faced Grønaskor. To the right is the island of Skúvoy.Further up in Skarvanes, go through the opening in the fence closest to the river. Make sure you walk down between the river and the electricity pylons and not through the meadow.<strong>FROM SKARVANES TO DALUR</strong>From Skarvanes, there are two parallel paths. Go south along the upper one. The path ends by a broken stone wall, and there, the path to Dalur begins. Past Dalsrók, about half a kilometre from Skarvanes, is a short steep stretch downwards. Otherwise, the path slowly inclines up towards Handasti Varði. While you walk up to Handasti Varði, you can see marshland and Lake Vatnsdalur on the right.After the last cairn in Dalur, walk along the road down to the village.Dalur is the southernmost of the villages on Sandur. It was connected to the other villages by road in 1963. The church in the village is from 1957.
See more detailsPeople from Tórshavn enjoy taking the first part of this hike from the pass Sundshálsur and up to the pass Reiðskarð, an easily accessible hike with lovely views.It is less common to walk the latter half of the path down to Syðradalur, which nevertheless is a great hike. It becomes particularly fascinating if you expand the hike by going north to Norðradalur and loop back to Sundshálsur via the pass Fólkaskarð (known in Norðradalur as Syðraskarð). This detour takes you around Mt. Tungulíðfjall. This way you get a good and long hike of 12 km with an elevation gain of 700 metres, full of varied experiences. If you take this round trip to Norðradalur and you do not go all the way down to the cleft in Norðradalur, then the hike will be good 10 km.The hike starts in the rocky area at the pass Sundshálsur. Many people walk her every day, and the many small cairns is a nice touch. The hike up the path to the pass Reiðskarð is easy to walk, the area around the pond being particularly beautiful.On your way down to Syðradalur, you walk on an old road, which was originally constructed to get a tractor down to the village.You continue down to a new unpaved road in the area called Ovari botnur. Here you have a view over the large valley and the farm in Syðradalur. From there, hike down to the gate by the main road.If you wish to walk to Norðradalur, go through the gate to your right, about 400 metres further down, just before you reach the main road. (see the hike for Syðradalur - Norðradalur).The hike can be taken in either direction, but it is easier to start at Sundshálsur. Many believe it is also more beautiful to walk westward from Sundshálsur, and from there to Norðradalur and back to Sundshálsur via the pass Fólkaskarð.<figure class="media"><oembed url="https://vimeo.com/269827605"></oembed></figure>
See more detailsWARNING: A new landslide has made the hike back to Elduvík challenging. The village of Elduvík is situated by the sea at the end of a long green valley. Surrounded by high and steep mountains it is a beautiful and scenic place. The hike leads you up through the deep valley, which seems pleasant and inviting, with the Stórá River flowing gently through it. Halfway into the valley, you come to a sheepfold. Just above here you will find the large and deep Øksnagjógv gorge and just below you find the waterfall of Stórifossur. Further up the valley the Bláhamrar mountainside contrasts with the otherwise green valley. This is a great place to enjoy a cup of coffee along with the great views before embarking on the final stretch up to the pass. At this sheepfold, the herd that collects the sheep usually gathers when they plan the sheep drive. The walk by the riverbank on the way to Funningsfjørður is lovely. It is easy to walk the whole way from Elduvík to Funningsfjørður, although the drop is quite steep as you approach Funningsfjørður. The scenery in Funningsfjørður is stunning; the village is nestled between the two large fiords of the isle of Eysturoy. The village has been and still is a junction for traffic in the area, and the roads to the nearby villages are designated Buttercup Routes, scenic routes on particularly beautiful stretches. The first part of the hike from Elduvík to Funningsfjørður is 5.6 km long and takes about 2.5 hours. It is recommended to take a well-deserved break in the village of Funningfjørður and enjoy the views before heading back to Elduvík over the gully Sniðsgil. You will walk on the road the next 3.2 km to Funningsfjørður and further to Sniðsgil. As you enter Sniðsgil, you will hike up until you reach the crag Gøtuhjalli. From there, you continue to Gøtuhjalli, following the cairns down the sloping terraces to Elduvík. Some might find it difficult to walk across two small landslides above Barmur just east of Cape of Elduvík Along the fjord of Funningsfjørður, from Sniðsgil to Elduvík, the path goes just above the main road, which can cause noise from cars. The first cairn in Sniðsgil is visible from the road. The cairns are not visible from the village of Elduvík.
See more detailsWARNING: A new landslide has made the hike back to Elduvík challenging. The trip from Funningsfjørður to Elduvík over the gully Sniðsgil is one of two paths between the two villages. It is easy to hike from Funningsfjørður up through the Sniðsgil and up over Gøtuhjalli, a crag. From there, you walk down the sloping terraces to Elduvík. Some might find it difficult to walk across the two first gullies between the Cape of Elduvík and the í Barmi neighbourhood of Elduvík due to rockfall. The path at á Hjallanum that runs by the fjord of Funningsfjørður has some traffic noise as it is just above a main road. The first cairn in Sniðsgil is visible from the road. The cairns are not visible from the village of Elduvík.
See more detailsThe route starts at the path that runs southwards from Nólsoy village. Just inside the outfield fence, you come upon an area, Korndalur, with many ruins from the old days. These are the Prinsessutoftir. Legend tells about a Scottish King’s daughter who had a falling out with her father because he would not acknowledge the man she wanted to marry and whose child she was carrying. They fled, arrived at Nólsoy and settled here.There are traces of the old water pipe just outside the outfield fence. Follow this trail to the old reservoir. Here, the cairns begin and soon you will walk up the slope west of the island. On the hike uphill, there is a site called Uppi í Skipi, where people hid from pirates in the old days. Near the top, you come to Hvíliplássið. It is customary to rest here. The view is outstanding. You can see the northern islands, Skálafjørður, Sundalagið, all of Tórshavn and a little bit of Sandoy. Somewhat further south, at á Kagnum, there is a very good view southwards. The name stems from troubled times when people sneaked out from their hiding places and came to peek southwards to see if the pirates had left.<br>From the small spring, Kolturskeldan, you see Koltur outlined above Havnardalur.Then there’s a long stretch, Langabrekka, where you follow the path straight ahead. Here, the terrain can be quite wet in places. There are cairns all the way to the Nólsoy lighthouse, the beacon at Tumbin, but some of them are small and can be difficult to spot. Use the two masts that stick up where the lighthouse stands as landmarks. Just north of the house, the British built two attraps (houses built to mislead the Germans during World War II).The lighthouse, Nólsoyar Viti, was built in 1893. Back then, the lens was one of the largest in the world of its kind. It is 2.82 metres high and weighs about four tons. Both the lighthouse and the related houses are superior workmanship, stacked from carved rocks.<br>Nearby, you can see where the rocks were collected. The houses were built for three families. Borðan alternated with Nólsoy village in having the school. No one lives in Borðan now. The silhouette of Kapilin can be seen in front of the beacon. You can also walk down to Stallurin. This is the landing place where everything which was taken to Borðan was unloaded. People from Nólsoy have also shipped peat from Stallurin. The name Stallurin (the stable) stems from the boats being able to lie side by side like horses in a stable.There is also another lighthouse on the southern tip<br>in this area, about one and a half kilometre from<br>Nólsoyar Viti.<br>
See more details<i>Hike to Hvannhagi, a lush valley surrounded by a steep crescent moun-tainside teeming with birdlife. In the centre lies a lake that has existed since the Ice Age. The diverse plant- and animal life, scenic views and extraordi-nary landscapes have made Hvannhagi a popular hiking destination for locals and tourists alike.</i><br><i>The hike usually takes less than one hour (one-way). Follow the orange-coloured posts along the path from Tvøroyri. The hiking path begins above the Hospital.</i>Starting from the hospital in Tvøroyri, go up to Ovari Vegur and continue left in the direction of Trongisvágur. Once you have walked approximately one and a half kilometres, you arrive at the gate leading to the outfield. Here is a sign that reads Hvannhagi. The path begins. Follow it, first straight out and then it turns slowly to the right uphill. When you get to the top and look towards the northeast, you have a magnificent view of Lítla Dímun, Stóra Dímun and Sandoy. After about a 20-minute walk, you arrive at Grindin, which is where you go down in Hvannhagi. Here, you begin to see parts of the beautiful Hvannhagi. You also have a view to other islands further away, for example, Koltur and Vágar.Naturalists, especially geologists, are always thrilled when Hvannhagi is mentioned. They call the area a geological Eldorado. The place is teeming with interesting geological phenomena. Among the things you can see are stones from giant avalanches or rock slides that roared down into Hvannhagi several thousand years ago. The rocky area is called Dysjarnar. People are working on getting Hvannhagi and all of Suðuroy registered as a geopark.There are also others who find Hvannhagi interesting: the sheep. Parts of Hvannhagi have for years been used as “fitilendi” (fat pasture) for sheep. Follow the path, which slowly turns to the left into the valley. Suddenly it is there! The beautiful, circular lake, surrounded by the greenest grass and steep mountainsides. No wonder Hvannavatn and Hvannhagi have been popular destinations for families and travelers coming to Suðuroy for generations.When or if you can tear yourself away from the place and are ready to head home, you can choose to walk back the way you came, or you can go through Frostgjógv, which is a gorge further up in the southern part of the valley. Beware of loose rocks in the gorge, especially if you are traveling in a group. You then come to a sheepfold at the end of the gorge. Here, there is no visible path. But once you’ve gone a few metres from the sheepfold, you will spot the path from Tvøroyri where you walked up to Grindin earlier. Head over towards the path and go back to Tvøroyri.
See more detailsThe route starts at the parking lot below Dúvugarðar, located on the north-easterly side of the great gorge in Saksun. Dúvugarðar is a several hundred years-old listed farmhouse, which now functions as a museum.Walk about 50 meters and turn right when you have crossed the bridge at Skipá and walk about 2-300 meters uphill through the infield along the river.When you get into the outfield, climb the first hill - about 30 vertical meters, around the same height as the start of the waterfall. From here, you need to look diagonally upwards towards the northeast. On the hill in the horizon you see a cairn about one kilometer away. Use it as a landmark. During the first 200 meters, you walk in roughly the same height and then reach the path that leads up to the cairn.The tall mountains give the area around Saksun an air of mystery, but not least unimaginable beauty. The fjord used to be a good natural harbor, but after a heavy storm in the 1600s, the fjord was blocked with sand.On the way up to the cairn, the path may be indistinguishable in some places, but when you reach the cairn itself, there is a cairn path all the way to Tjørnuvík. The cairns will lead you in a more easterly direction towards the area Frammi í Dal, where the river, Gellingará, meanders down through the valley. There is a special tranquility here that ensures peace of mind and a smile on your face.You now come to Tjørnuvíksskarð and the path goes slightly uphill. On Tjørnuvíksskarð, there is a beautiful view to the north of Eysturoy. From here, you see the characteristic rock pillars, Risin and Kellingin (Giant and Witch). The story of these two is that they were sent to the Faroe Islands to drag the islands to Iceland. The giant was standing in the sea, while his wife climbed up the mountain Eiðiskollur to tie the Faroe Islands together so that the giant could pull the islands away. She then set off so hard that the north of Eiðiskollur cracked. The preparations took longer than expected, and as the two were about to go back home to Iceland, the sun rose and turned the pair to stone.Here, you also have a view of Slættaratindur and Gráfelli, which - with their respective heights of 880 and 856 meters - are the two tallest mountains in the Faroe Islands.Follow the cairns all the way down to Tjørnuvík. The densely settled village is a very beautiful and charming part of the Faroe Islands. Tjørnuvík is known for its special hymn singing, the Kingo-songs, which is an ancient hymn tradition that originates from the Danish hymn writer Thomas Kingo. The village has a choir that performs Kingo hymns. Tjørnuvík also has a nice sandy beach and striking waves that attract many visitors.The hike is good in both directions.
See more detailsThe route starts in the valley about three kilometres west of the village of Bøur. The path begins about one kilometre south (or left) of the tunnel entrance. You can see the path, which meanders up the Gásadalsbrekkan.Gásadalur has been one of the most isolated villages in the Faroes. It is difficult to get to the village by sea and it was not until 2004 that the village was connected to the rest of the island by road when the tunnel was built. The people of Gásadalur used to walk this path when they had to go to the neighbouring villages to trade or for other errands. The helicopter service began in 1983.The first stretch of the path is steep and runs close to the edge of the mountain. Therefore, walk extremely carefully, but do not forget to enjoy the outstanding view over Sørvágsfjørður, Tindhólmur, Gáshólmur and Mykines.In 2014, two men managed to climb all fives peaks of Tindhólmur. There is no church in Gásadalur, so the school is used for services. The cemetery is from 1873. Before then, people were buried in Bøur and so the coffin had to be carried over the mountain to Bøur from Gásadalur. The trip was very difficult and the only place that the bearers could rest was at the Líksteinurin(Corpse Stone), which you will come upon halfway through the route.Further on, you come to the spring Vívdá. There is a story that a baby in Gásadalur became seriously ill and had to be taken to the doctor in Bøur. On the way to Bøur, the baby’s condition worsened, and it was about to die. According to the Lutheran faith, your soul does not gain salvation if you die unbaptised. Therefore, the priest, who was travelling with them, quickly blessed the spring and baptized the baby.When you continue, you will see Risasporið. There is a legend about two giants. One lived in Gásadalur and the other in Mykines. Once, they quarrelled and the Gásadalur giant wanted to go to Mykines to settle the dispute. He took running leaps along the mountain, took off, and with one leap, he landed on Mykines. He took off so hard that you can see his footprint to this day.From Skarði, the path twists down the mountainside to the village. Beware of loose stones! The view down to Gásadalur is one of the most beautiful sights you can experience. The small, beautiful village is surrounded by green infield with harsh high mountains. One of them is Árnafjall, which, with its 722 metres, is the tallest mountain on Vágar.In the village, there are ruins from the Middle Ages, called Uppi við Garð and Gæsutoftir.The path is visible most of the hike. Its possible to do the hike from either Bøur or Gásadalur, but the route from Bøur to Gásadalur might be a bit more scenic.
See more detailsThis is an easy hike that most everyone can handle. In places the path is not visible, so you must follow the cairns, which are well maintained. This is especially the case when you have reached level ground, ascending from Tórshavn and where the paths to Velbastaður and Kirkjubø split. Therefore, it is almost necessary to use a GPX file to make sure one stays on the right path and in case it turns foggy.You can start the hike either by the farm in Havnardalur or by the main road above Velbastaður, 390 metres above sea level, just north of the exit to Velbastaður, where you will find an exit to a small dead-end road. You can park your car in the parking lot by the river.On the path you will see Tórshavn from above and have a lovely veiw of the island of Koltur, a good idea is to include the hike up to the hollow Reynsmúlalág, where you will still find a dais made of rocks that was used for outdoor folk meetings, held as late as in the 1960s.The path can be taken in either direction, weather and mode of transportation being decisive in which direction is preferable.It is easy to find the path at both ends.
See more detailsThis is a fairly easy hike that takes about an hour to walk. Cairns guide you along; stairs and balustrades are set up in the crags where they are at their steepest. The last stretch down to Norðragøta is marked with posts with reflectors.Several interesting historical sites are on the route. Above the football pitch in Leirvík, you will find the well-kept peat hut that tells a story about the hard work of people who laboured here in ages past.Further up, you walk by Moyggjarhellið, a cave, where it is said young women hid when pirates marauded in the area.A tower viewer is set up on Mt. Leirvíksfjall near the village path. Through it you can enjoy the views north across the strait to the Northern Isles, over the bay Gøtuvík and toward the southern seas. The viewer is taken down during winter, but the hike can be taken year-round, weather permitting.The hike can be taken in either direction, weather conditions and mode of transportation being decisive for which direction is preferable.
See more detailsThe mountains in the Northern Islands are high, craggy and awe-inspiring. The crags are broad and steep, and hardly anything grows near the peaks. Part of this hike goes through this area, making for some rough walking, especiallyup atand roundToftaskarð.The path starts down in the village of Árnafjørður and goes up through a new lane orcattletrack, running just west of the house that stands at Viðurbyrgi 23.For the first stretch, the path is easy to see, but further up in the valley Svartidalur it becomes more difficult to spot. A few cairns lead the way up through the valley. It is easy and very peaceful to walk up this valley through the lower, middle and upper paths of the crags, and finally reach Toftaskarð. You could go some few meters down towards Norðtoftir to get a better view up through the strait of Hvannasund. But be very careful of all the loose stones.<strong>Continue to Katlarnar</strong>From Toftaskarð, walk straight toward Katlarnir, down through thesteeppass Uppi á Gjógv.At the moot Katlarnir, the men of the Northern Isles met in spring for the spring session. At Katlarnir, the ground is even with quite a bit of bedrock, with several rocks laying around the large boulder, Tingsteinurin (The Moot Boulder). It is easy to imagine that these rocks have played one role or another when mootswereheld here in ages past.<strong>Continue to the pass Áarskarð</strong>FromKatlarnirto Áarskarð,you must go diagonallyup through tothe area called Niðari Snæhjalli. There are cairns, but some of them can be difficult to spot.<strong>Continue down to Árnafjørður</strong>Head for the scout hut that is further down where you will find the path down to the road between the two tunnels. Follow the cairns but be very careful as the terrain is steep in some places.On your walk you will pass a boulder named Grindasteinur—Pilot Whale Boulder. According to Hanus Poulsen in<i>Árnafjørður – Staðarnøvn</i>, it was here that news of a pilot whale hunt would be shouted down to Árnafjørður, hence the name.It is challenging to hike down through the path called Ovarustígar, also known as uppi í Jørnunum, where the path descends along an iron fence, where some of the steps are chiseled into the rock. The path is marked well with cairns and posts with reflectors.You come down onto the road between the two tunnels. The distance from here to the village of Árnafjørður is approximately one kilometre.From the tunnels down to Árnafjørður there are no posts to guide you. Walk closely by the so-called Minhúsið and from there down the path called Válagøtan, which runs along the ridge, to the village just east of the river Stórá and the church. The villagers of Árnafjørður built Minhúsið as shelter from mines that drifted into the bay and blew up during World War II.Árnafjørður is one of the oldest villages in the northern islands and the inhabitants mostly work in salmon farming. There are also good areas for lobster fishing in the fjord.There are no gates in the fences of the outfields, so you must find a good place to climb over them. Using a gpx-file is recommended in order to find the right path through the outfields.
See more detailsWhen hiking up the hill from Signabøur, you are rewarded with an impressive view over Kollafjørður and into the valley Kollfjarðadalur.Reaching the pass Kambsskarð, everything turns quiet on the nice walk through the pass with its many beautiful cairns. Having crossed the pass, you can enjoy a view down into the big and lovely valley above Kaldbak with its many small lakes and pools, including Stóravatn and Brúnavatn. The stretch through the valley is relatively long but several gullies make it a fascinating walk. The rivers are easily forded.It is safer to walk from Signabøur to Kaldbak than going the other direction, as it is easier to see how to walk up through the crags and ledges. There is also more traffic noise in Signabøur, making the quiet area near Kaldbak more enjoyable to walk in.From Signabøur walk on the road past the barn and then go uphill in a westerly direction, climbing over one fence and through a gate before going at an angle southward toward the first cairn below the path that leads up through the first crag.
See more details<strong>Øravík - Fámjin</strong><span style="color:black;">Start at the stone fence gate in Øravík, signposted “Øravík—Vágur”. The pathway leading to Fámjin also starts here, so make sure not to confuse the two paths. Unfortunately, the only stone cairn visible from the gate is the one leading to Vágur. For this reason, start walking towards the main road leading to Øraskarð.</span><span style="color:black;">A little less than 400 meters up, by Svartáfoss waterfall, keep close to the corners of the village fence. Then continue down to the main road, on the north side of Fámjinskloving. This type of hilly terrain is also seen in other parts of the Faroe Islands such as on the east side of the mountain Endan á Trøðum in Sandoy, and the on east side of Stiðjafjall located above Kaldbaksbotn. It is easy to envision “huldufólk” (grey people) and trolls in this landscape. Finally, walk a short stretch along the steep incline towards Øraskarð, bearing in mind that this area is only partly covered by grass.</span><span style="color:black;">The route from Øraskarð to the sheep pen by the lake of Kirkjuvatn is on a continuous slope. The stone cairns leading the way are positioned close to each other, making it unlikely to take a wrong turn. Once through the sheep pen, continue walking until you reach the lowest stone cairn, directly opposite the church spire. The final section after the gate is slightly less obvious, but it is only a 30-meter stretch southward and then a northward turn towards the river, where you can cross a bridge to the church.</span><span style="color:black;">The route through Fámjinsdal is tranquil and provides ample opportunities to stop and admire nature, leaving the walker with a healthy glow and feeling of calm. There are gorgeous views in every direction - ranging from the dramatic basalt columns of Glopprókin to the peaceful lake of Kirkjuvatn - and the valley is surrounded by a horseshoe of several majestic mountain peaks including Borgarknappur and Borgin.</span><span style="color:black;">When arriving at the sheep pen and looking towards Valdaskarð, there is a route to Trongisvág. Once you have made it through the sheep pen and are walking towards the church tower, you will suddenly find yourself in the historic village of Fámjin. Wonderful!</span><span style="color:black;">It is possible to complete this trip from both ends; however, starting in Porkeri and walking towards Fámjin is the prettier route and, on arrival in Fámjin, it is pleasant to relax and stroll around the village. Due to two paths coming from the same area of Ørkavík and Fámjin, you must ensure that you choose the right path. Here the GPX file provides helpful guidance.</span>
See more detailsFrom Hvalvík, follow the new path that starts by the Mission House in Hvalvík. Walk out through the village gateand up along the little house (hay barn). Continue up along the river Myllá until you surpass the upper stone wall. Then turn slightly left in a straight south direction and go diagonally uphill to the first cairn at an altitude of 145 metres.<strong>Continue towards Leynavatn</strong>The path from Hvalvík towards Leynavatn is a wonderful and tranquil path. The long walk in the peaceful environment, where only a few birds break the silence, is balm to the soul. The hike up through the gorge to the pass Húsadalsskarð is challenging and a bit of an adventure. Having ascended the steep hill and reaching the pass, you enter a magnificent wide valley through which the path meanders down along the east side of the river, and later down along the west riverbank.Along the path just above Djúpagil, you will see some lovely columnar basalt in the river.<strong>Continue up to Goturshálsur</strong>As we approach the cultivated area over the large lake Leynavatn, we pass a large sheepfold located by the river Ærgisá. On the other side of the river Dalá in the cozy surroundings just below the great gorge, you will see the two-star Michelin restaurant Koks. Here we turn upwards along the river Ærgisá, which we cross again to go up the northern riverbank towards Vestmanna.With a lovely view of the valley, continue the path up along the river and later along the cairns, which stand at close intervals, until you reach the wide pass at Goturshálsur. Here you will pass the route that goes from Kvívík to Hvalvík. Be careful to keep track on which route is which. Turn north and follow the cairns along the path to Hvalvík. While walking along the east side of the largedamkeep right and follow the cairns down the passatHvalvíksskarð.This dam at Mýrarnar was one of the first dams built by SEV in the early 1960s. There is also a small private windmill park.There is a curious tale from the mountain Loysingafjall on the west side of the dam. The story is about a girl from Vestmanna who disappeared from the town and could not be found. The next day, a shepherd found her high up on Loysingafjall. She said that a man in white clothes had led her by the hand and fed her. No one knew this man.As you continue down Hvalvíksskarð, you enter a cairn that is stacked on a large stone called Kellingarsteinur. But just before that, the village path from Vestmanna joins the route down to Hvalvík. Be careful to keep track of which route is which. Continue along the same side of themountain slopealong Kellingarsteinur and afterwards down along Hvalvíksgjógv and finally down the north side of Myllá, down along the small house and in through the village gate which leads down to the same place where you started.
See more detailsThis path is suitable for a short trip up to Innaraháls or over to Rituvík or ideal as the start of a 9.5km round hike of Runavík – Rituvík – Toftir – Runavík (find this route on bygdagøtur. fo).You will start down by Skúlan við Løkin in Runavík, where there is decent parking. Then walk up the shortcut through town to the houseshare at Blikagøta 75, just above the gate, which leads you out the path towards Rituvík.It is nice and cosy to walk up the path, making its way through the heather. The cairns, which stand close to each other up on the south side of the brook, appear one by one as you walk the route across Innaraháls. On the way up the neck is a green field called Hvílingarfløtan. In this field, which is always said to be green, villagers would put down their wooden creel and rest. After the men from Rituvík returned from fishing, the village women would take and carry the fish back to Runavík, and they would bring other food products on the way back home.Spring is on top of Hálsi and runs down both ways, meaning it runs half to Runavík and half to Rituvík. Just south of Halsi, there are also two small lakes.The view is excellent on this flat land. You will be able to see over Toftavatn, the mountains east of Skálafjørð and Streymoy.Once you have arrived east of the neck, you then change to walk on the north side of the stream. In Grøv, the stream becomes deep and spectacular; here, stepping down in the stream was also normal. Down to Rituvík, the terrain is quite peaty with lots of heathers. It can be challenging to see the cairns as some are small, but they are there, and you simply have to look hard enough.When you arrive at the stone wall, walk down by Stórá, where the stone gate is.
See more detailsThe route starts at Visit Tórshavn in Steinatún. Walk up along Niels Finsensgøta and turn left towards the road called Við Havnará, where the statue Ormabani (tr. “Snake Slayer”) by the artist Tróndur Paturson stands in the river. Then continue up towards the grove; this is a peaceful and cosy place to enter. It is located by a river filled with trees, ducks, birds and other people seeking peace or simply walking through on their way home from work.<br>Once you have made it through the grove, continue past the football stadium, swimming hall, and Tórsbreyt. Then continue along the road Undir Svartafossi where you reach Svartifossur after walking a total of 2 kilometres. Many people, including couples, stroll along this gorgeous romantic waterfall, where the two rivers beautifully join together to form a single channel.Continue along the narrow path leading above the waterfall and then along Ternuryggur. This area was founded in 1938 as a garden space with around 130 smaller plots available for people to rent. In those days, it was far outside of Tórshavn. Once the war broke out in 1939 and foreign seamen were stranded here, the council wanted to initiate a support campaign so these men could do some work and earn money. Amongst other things, these men worked on the paths in this garden space. Continue past the cosy garden space and walk towards Villingafossur. Above lies the Tórshavn water supply, where you can see the water embankment from 1988, which stands at an altitude of 270 meters. Continue up the steep path in Ketturðin; once up there, you are at the route's halfway point. It is gorgeous walking up here with the lovely scene spanning across Hoyvík, Tórshavn, Argir, Nólsoy and even further north towards Skálafjørður and Eysturoy with the northern mountains.In this area, there are a great number of large stones spread across the road south by Brúnni—south to Keldurnar and then by the telecommunication masts, which are located above Hotel Føroyar. These can possibly be traced back to the ice age, during which they could have been washed out from a sluice under the ice.Whilst enjoying the excellent view, walk south towards Keldurnar, where the road crosses the old village path leading to Syðradalur and Norðadalur. Turn down the village path after Keldurnar towards á Varða, where you will arrive at a stone fence gate. Right before you arrive at the gate, it is possible to walk 150 meters north along the fence above the fire station leading to Varðholan, which is a cavern with a large stone in the middle. Varðholan was used for both mass meetings and as a hiding spot when hiding from pirates. Scouts also would go on weekend trips here– which was considered far outside of Tórshavn at the time. Then continue through the gate, across Oyggjarvegur and down the path towards the road Írarók. At the bottom of Varðagøta, you walk past the childhood home of the artist and Tórshavn’s Citizen of Honour, William Heinesen. Then continue walking down to the grove, where you arrive at a memorial cairn set in memory of the seamen that died during the Second World War. By both lakes below the memorial is rich birdlife— also some interesting birds. Continue walking downward.Once you exit the grove and reach the bridge, turn right along the path heading towards the Sankta Frans school. There you will walk past the gorgeous bronze statue of the dream girl Tarira, also known as Álvagentan (tr. “The Elf Girl”), created by Hans Pauli Olsen and set in memory of William Heinesen. Here is where the yearly high school graduation meetings are held.Then continue down along Tórsgøta to Steinatún, where the route ends.
See more detailsThe route starts at Visit Tórshavn in Steinatún. Walk upwards through the town along Niels Finsensgøta until you reach the grove. Many people stroll through this gem daily, sometimes walking through it to get to or from work. The yearly high school graduation meetings are also held here, and the speeches are held from the large rocks at the top of the hill. Just south of the rostrum stands the gorgeous bronze statue of the dream girl Tarira—also called the Álvagentan (tr. “The Elf Girl”), created by Hans Pauli Olsen and set in memory of William Heinesen.Continue along this path until you arrive at the next bridge, where you will turn left towards the large memorial set in memory of the seamen lost during the Second World War. By both lakes, located below the memorial, is rich birdlife and also some interesting birds. As you exit the grove and turn upward along Dalagøta, you will look over Williamshús. This is the childhood home of the previously mentioned artist and Tórshavn’s Citizen of Honour, William Heinesen.Walk until you arrive at the end of Írarók. Then continue for almost 100 meters along the narrow path heading towards Hotel Føroyar until you reach the first cairn. Turn right up across Oyggjarvegur and continue towards the grassy path between the car sale and the fire station. Just as you exit the stone gate, it is possible to make a quick trip of 150 meters north along the fence above the fire station to Varðholan, a cavern with a large stone in the middle. Varðholan was used for mass meetings and as a hiding spot to hide away from pirates.<br>Additionally, Scouts would go on weekend trips to this location as it was considered far outside Tórshavn. Walk upwards along the village path that continues north to Syðradalur and Norðadalur. Once you have arrived in the plains by á Varða, it becomes very peaceful again, as if all noise from the city has been switched off.Continue upwards along Keldurnar, and enjoy the beautiful scenery spanning over Hoyvík, Tórshavn, Argir, and Nólsoy, and even continuing northwards towards Skálafjørður and Eysturoy with all the northern mountains. This place is quite interesting with all the large stones on the plain. Once you have arrived slightly farther up Keldurnar, there is a path to your left, south off of Hotel Føroyar. Here you can choose to take this shortcut to the horseriding track in Marknagil instead of continuing the trip to Havnardalur. This will half the trip in both length and altitude. With a gorgeous view, continue along Dalsgøta towards Kleynsvarði, where horse riders often stop to rest their horses.Continue downward to the water embankment in Havnardalur. This water embankment was built in 1966 when the population of Tórshavn had grown to 10,000. Follow the path south of the embankment to the road. Walk 200 meters south along the road and turn right into the cosy and relatively new grove.By Tvørá is the playground of the recreational school Spírin in Havnardalur, which lies by the horse stables; therefore, children are often seen playing here. On the path is a small shelter where you can sit and have a coffee break before continuing upwards along the river.Walk upwards by the right side of Tvørá; after 250 meters, you will arrive on the main road leading to the water embankment. Walk across the road and continue by the river where the old peat path lay. After 130 meters, you will arrive at an unusually large fallen peat hut, which was the peat hut owned by the baker in Hornabøur.Then continue past the horse stables and across the mountain, along the horseriding track and downward by Marknagilsá. Enjoy the breathtaking view across Tórshavn and the fjord as you head down. Once you reach Marknagilsvegur, continue along the path between the grand high school Glasir and the cosy grove by Rættará, where the old drinking water embankment is located. By the large chimney, the path separates. The path to the left goes past the water embankment, while the one to the right, which you are to take, goes past Glasir. Soon you arrive at Vesturkirkja, which at 42 meters is the tallest building in the Faroe Islands.Continue through the narrow path in Skálatrøð, where you finally walk past the old factory called Østrøm, also called the bun factory. This is a significant building from 1894, which has housed various activities over time. They have produced, amongst other things, cod liver oil, fishballs and ice cream. This was also a central freezer for the people of Tórshavn, a main station for British soldiers, cola sale and more.Finally, walk the stretch towards the cosy and lively area of Vágsbotnur; some fishing boats might be lying by the marketplace selling fish. Then walk along the pedestrian street to Visit Tórshavn, where your trip started.<br>
See more detailsThe route begins at the library above the boat basin. From here, walk through the park and follow Traðargøtu street above the school and eyst of the football pitch. Now go eystward of the river and through a sheepfold. Wayfinding posts mark the way along the Skarðsá river.<br>Facing west, you have views over Fuglafjørður to Mt. Blábjørg, the pass Jøklaskarð, Mt. Gjógvaráfjall and Niðan á Hús, where people from Fuglafjørður hid from pirates in the past. Further up, you will find the ledge Nón (which the sun hits at the hour of “nón,” that is 3 p.m.), the pass Breiðaskarð, Mt. Kambur, the pass Trælavatnaskarð, and Mt. Tyril.<br>Top Fuglafjørður, an organised hike to the 10 peaks around Fuglafjørður, is sometimes held in September. With its 18-20 kilometres, the hike is demanding but also exceptionally beautiful. For further information, contact the local tourist information office.<br>The path from Fuglafjørður to Hellurnar is called Sjúrðargøta. Legend has it that a giant from Suðuroy came to the village of Oyndarfjørður to test his strength. No one dared to fight him. The people of Oyndarfjørður urged Sjúrður, the farmer, to challenge the giant. He wanted his youngest son, also named Sjúrður, to try. They wrestled and Sjúrður the younger beat the giant. His father paid him well for this feat.<br>At the top of the pass Skarðið, you will find two large cairns. According to old custom, each time one crosses the pass, three small stones are to be thrown at the cairns while saying: “In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” This is meant to both protect you from getting lost and bless your trip. To the north of Skarðið, you can see the village of Oyndarfjørður and the mountains Tindur, Knúkur and Sandfelli. On the first Sunday of August, an open-air public meeting with speeches and songs is held at Skarðið.<br>From here it is possible to take a detour to Altarið (483 m) a mountain to the north with exceptional views. The hike is one kilometre each way.<br>The hills Hulduheyggjar are to the west as you descend from the pass. Here, the story goes, the midwife of Dalbøur in Fuglafjørður aided a Huldre woman (a type of rock troll) in childbirth, a service for which she was richly rewarded.<br>Another story says that the farmer in Oyndafjørður and a farmer in Fuglafjørður named Gullbrandur fought over land. Gullbrandur was killed and hid in the cave Gullbrandshellið and later buried in Gullbrandsleiði, both of which you will find along this path.<br>Approaching Hellurnar, the path takes you down through the crag Kliv. From here, continue down the hill Spreingisbrekka. It is a little steep until you reach the outfield gate.
See more detailsFrom the flat area on Skeiðsskarð, turn left where you will find a grass/gravel road. Already at this point, the view is spectacular. Millions of years ago, the area was a geological playground, which has resulted in the unique rock formations around you. Enjoy the view of Vágar and Trøllkonufingur (Trollwoman’s Finger), which – as far as anyone knows was first climbed in 2012. To the right is the 767 metre tall Skælingsfjall, which is among the highest mountains in the Faroe Islands. And right above you on the left hand side, is Sornfelli, which created political friction in the Faroe Islands for many years.In 1963, NATO installed radar equipment on Sornfelli to monitor air and sea traffic in the North Atlantic. Inside the mountain, there are many rooms and winding corridors where NATO servicemen went about their daily work. Ordinary citizens did not have access to this part of the mountain. The activity in Sornfelli led to protests by activeists and politicians. In some years during the 80s, peaceful demonstrations were organised where people demonstrated from Mjørkadalur, located on the other side of Sornfelli, to Tórshavn.<br>After about one and a half kilometres, you will arrive at an area with large rocks. Here, the path will be a little hard to see, but you will see the path on the other side of the rock piles. You are now approaching Skoradalsegg. Be cautious about 200 metres from Skoradalsegg, where there is a steep area that can be rocky or slippery. On the other side of Skorðadalsegg, you enter into another world, with grass and relatively few rocksand stones.<br>There is a special peace that is only broken by the sounds of birds and sheep and may be a single boat in the fjord. On the first few metres, the path is a little hard to see, and it may seem like there is no more path. Stick to the path that goes about 50 metres straight ahead and slowly slopes downwards. After about four to five hundred metres, you will find the old path from the village Skælingur.<br>Notice the beautiful cairns, erected with stones from the area. Follow the cairns straight out and up to wards Vatndalsegg. The path can be a little steep uphill and difficult, but it is short. The view from Vatndalsegg is worth it. If you are looking for the right place for a coffee break, then this place is highly recommended. Here, you see the beautiful rock for mations on Likkureyn and Núgvan. Further out to sea are the islands of Koltur, Hestur and further still Sandoy and Suðuroy. And do not forget the lakes in the valley.<br>The hill, about 50 to 100 metres on the right hand side of the path, is called Stroyisklettur. Legend has it that the residents of Norðadalur and Skælingur were in a dispute over the area in Skorðadalur. The farmer in Norðadalur and the farmer in Skælingur fought a battle that the farmer in Skælingur won. The farmer from Norðadalur, whose name was Stroyur, was killed and is said to be buried at the mound, which today bears his name. Skoradalur still belongs to the village of Skælingur today.<br>The path into the valley and past the lakes is difficult to see. Stay to the left of the big lake and the river along the lake. A little further, the river comes together with another river from the left. There, in front of you, is a little hill. Stick to the left of the hill and tread carefully to the edge where you will find a cairn. Here, you will find Áarstíggjur , which is the path towards Norðadalur. Be careful on the path, which can be slippery and rocky.<br>Continue down towards the road and then left towards the gate.
See more detailsThe hike starts at the eastern end of the lower road, Sótabakki, leading to the sheepfold on the southern side of the bay. This road was originally intended for a new harbour, but the plan was abandoned in the late 1980s. Today, the area is used for sheep farming, and the land is closed off three times a year—this is marked with a sign at the sheepfold gate. Pass through both gates by the sheepfold and continue towards Torvheyggjar, where you will see Fiskavarðin on the headland. This cairn was traditionally used to ensure good fishing luck—people would throw stones into it when fish were scarce. From Fiskavarðin, the path leads up to the rock shelter Barnhús. A tragic local legend tells of a woman at Dalsgarður who could not carry a child to term. One day, she finally gave birth successfully, but that same night, the midwife who helped her lost her child. The land the midwife was offered as thanks became known for bringing misfortune, and to this day, no one in Skálavík dares to own it. Continue southwards along the stream, enjoying views over Skálavík and the surrounding mountains. From the top of Skálhøvdi, you can see Húsavík, Lítla Dímun, Beinisvørð, and across Sandoy and the northern islands. This spot was historically used for watchkeeping, and the remains of an old guard post can still be seen. Do not step beyond the flat area around the cairn at the summit for safety reasons. Return via the same route.
See more detailsThe hike starts at the harbour of Skopun. Walk north along the road passing the store called Búrhandilin. The building has been used as a shop since 1856 making it one of the oldest continues shops in the Faroe Islands.<br>Following the road Tormandsvegur, you'll pass a memorial commemorating the original settlers of Skopun and higher on the hill is a memorial as well as the world’s largest postbox. With the village behind you you'll see the many lakes and on clear days reflecting the nearby islands of Koltur and Hestur. It is remarkably comfortable to walk along the quite road leading the valley of Høvdarhaga. From here, you'll see Lírabergsháls. After hiking for 2,8 km, you'll find the sheepfold at the end of the road. Here, you'll also see a sign pointing to the viewpoints. Follow the reguar signpostst some 700m. Upon arrival you'll see the south towards the weather beaten westcoast of Sandoy and its impressive sea stacks. The northern sea stack is called Svartskoradrangur (170m) and the southernmost called Orknadalsdrangur (182m).
See more detailsThe route begins by the sheepfold about 200 meters from the crossroads of Skálavik/Húsavík. This is where the small stream Guðrunarløkur runs. The name is associated with Guðrun Sjúrðardóttir, who was a very affluent woman living around the year 1400 and is thought to be the much talked-about Lady of Húsavík.Walk from the sheepfold up towards the southern rock ledges. It might be difficult to spot the cairns on the first leg of the journey, but they will become more visible as you approach the ledges.Under the rock ledge is Runtaurð (Runti’s scree). According to legend, Runti was a sheep thief who hid here. On Christmas day, he ventured out of his hiding place to grab a bite to eat, not expecting anyone to be out. But somebody noticed, and Runti was caught.<strong>The Lady of Húsavík</strong>Húsavík is one of the oldest villages in the Faroe Islands. Around the year 1400, a Lady lived in Húsavík, and the traces of her time can still be seen, for example, in the oldest part of the churchyard and the paved courtyard between the houses in the village.The Lady of Húsavík owned a considerable amount of land and property in the Faroe Islands as well as major properties in Norway and the Shetland Islands. Archival research suggests that there were two wealthy women in Húsavík around this time, and sometimes they are mixed up. Legend has it that the Lady of Húsavík was tough – she practised witchcraft and mistreated her servants.Húsavík has a rather large beach and good bay. The area is also well suited for surfing.Along the route, you will arrive at Klovnasteinur – two stones that look like one stone cleaved in two. Old superstition says that if you walk between them, you will die before the end of the year.<strong>Peaceful lake</strong>The land here is former peatland. Somewhat south of Líðarrøkur, you get a beautiful view of Dúniavatn with Stóra Dímun, Lítla Dímun and Suðuroy in the background. You can also see Skúvoy, Salthøvdi and the village of Sandur, which is thought to be one of the oldest villages in the Faroes.It is very peaceful here and a perfect place to rest while listening to the streams purling and the birds singing. When the sky is clear, you can see all the way to Mykines.On the north side of Stóra Dímun is the sea stack, Øssursdrangur, named after Øssur Havgrímson, a chieftain from the Viking Age, who was killed by Sigmundur Brestisson in a power struggle. Øssur asked to be buried so that his head faced Grønuskor, south of the sea stack.Sigmundur Brestisson is believed to be buried on the island of Skúvoy. On Skúvoy, there is a beautiful route to Høvdan and Fagradal, the valley that sets the scene for the novel Rannvá by Dagmar Joensen-Næs.When you arrive at the lake Dúniavatn, the downhill path will take you towards Skarvanes. Walk down, but don't go down the crag. Follow the poles leading south of the river. Enjoy the views, but be careful since it can be slippery. Follow the poles to the sign showing the village paths leading to Dalur and Skarvanes. Continue to the infield gate in Skarvanes.<strong>Díðrik and the pigeons</strong>Skarvanes was the birthplace of the Faroese art of painting. Díðrikur á Skarvanesi (1802-1865) is considered the first painter in the Faroe Islands. Born in Stóra Dímun, he later moved to Skarvanes. Díðrikur painted colourful images of birds such as pigeons. Only five of the paintings are preserved and can be viewed at the National Gallery of the Faroe Islands.Skarvanes is known to be a good place for driftwood and corn. In the river, there is an old water mill that was used for corn. There is no church in Skarvanes, so locals would usually walk along the cairn path to Húsavík to attend church service, and later on to Dalur, too. In the old days, there was a chapel in Skarvanes.If you feel like a longer walk, you can continue along the cairn path from Skarvanes to Dalur.
See more detailsThe hike starts in the ancient village of Múli at the north-eastern tip of the isle of Borðoy. The village is located in a unique place, both beautiful and tranquil. No permanent residents are left in the village’s four houses, the last left in 1992. But it is still quite busy—in addition to those who tend to their sheep, tourists visit the village and the houses have become vacation homes.<br>Múli is one of the oldest villages in the Faroe Islands. It is mentioned in Hundabrævið (the Dog Letter, a legal document from the 14th century). When the Black Death ravaged the village around 1347, the sick were quarantined in the valley above the village. A building, called Tobbabúð, was built to house them. It was placed high up in the valley’s northern end just under the hill Enni, where the slope turns steep above the depression Longukrógv. A hundred metres to the south, you find the boulder Húsbøsteinur. Food for the sick was placed here. The boulder is said to be inhabited by a rock troll.<br>Guttormur of Múli (1657-1739), who was said to know magic, lived here. Many legends are told about his special gifts. Is that why the village seems enchanted? Perhaps…<br>The village landing, Inni á Støði, lies a little over a kilometre south of the village. Up to three boats were kept in its boathouses. Some of the boathouses as well as rollers and a windlass used to draw the boats up from the sea are still there. The village path commences at the end of the road above the boathouses.<br>When you have parked your car in the big parking space by the river Klivsdalsá, walk 350 metres north to where the lower road goes down to the landing Inni á Støð. From there, take the 400 metres down to the end of the road, where you will find the village path.<br>The village path was crucial to Múli. Heavy surfs are common here. When northernly winds persisted, it was impossible to reach the village by boat, making the path the only way in and out of the village.<br>Continuing south and drawing close to the gorge Ærgdalsgjógv, you will find a large square cairn. Four cairns, about a mile apart, guided the traveller to the village of Norðdepil. Only two remain, this one and the one by the gorge Lambagjógv. The others were used as filler when the road to Múli was laid.<br>On the hike you will see high and steep rock ledges above the valleys of Klivsdalur and Ærgisdalur. On the other side of the sound Hvannasund, you will find the village of Viðareiði and the beautiful mountains towering above it.<br>Continuing southward, approaching the gorge Lambagjógv, go above it. Just south of the gorge, you reach the next cairn. From here, go up to the road. The remainder of the path to Norðdepil continues just below the road with the exception of the first 300 metres north of the river Fossá. The hike ends above the gorge Lambagjógv, beside which there is a large parking lot where you can set your car.<br>Note that a fascinating high and slender rock is found close the river Lítladalsá, a kilometre north of the river Fossá. From the road to Múli, you can walk straight down to the rock along the fence on the south bank of the river.
See more detailsIf you decide to start the route at Leynar, walking upwards is relatively easy. Once you arrive under Múlan, there is a beautiful view southward on the west side of Streymoy, next to Skælingsfjall, Skælingsbygd, and the grooves further south as well as the view of Koltur from the back. Inside the valley, on the west side, you can see the unique Stórareyn, part of Streymoyarsylli. Walk in through the valley, across the quaint Marknagil and then up under Regnsenda, close beneath the unique columnar basalt.Once west of Regnsenda, you walk south under Stórareyni, up through the rough terrain by Regnin and then up under Skælingskarð. Here the route runs up to 415-meters high to the great quarry of Landsverk. Be careful! Do not walk too close to the quarry because the equipment on edge is loose. Walk south along the road above the quarry, on the southeast end, and walk back to the path. By the path stands a flat rock called Brynjumannaborð. The tale says that this rock received its name after the northern men held a victory celebration when the southern men fled after the war in Mannafelsdal. On top of this rock lies a stone; the northern men took with them the heavy stone to show their strength, and those who could not heave it up from the base were not allowed to go to war. This stone must have weighed about 225kg. It was customary that calvary people from the south, on the way to competitive riding by Leynavatn, stop and rest by this rock.Then you will walk south on the side of Hórisgøta. Continue walking southward on the road up towards Sornfelli and down to the large cairn by Mjóstíggj. Here it is beautiful to walk by the view over Núgvuna and Mjørkadal and out across Kaldbaksfjørð. By Mjóstíggj, there has been a landslide which eradicated the path, so it is a bit challenging to come across. During good weather, it is not difficult for reasonably fit people. You will walk down to the station in Mjørkadal by Oyggjarvegur.From Mjørkadal, you will walk along Oyggjarvegur. Just south of Neytaskarð, you will take the pass upward across Norðradalsvegur and then continue southward up towards the sharp edge of the plain at 400-meters high east under Stiðjafjall. Right above are gorgeous Dysjars. These hills and gravel bunks come from a particular natural event caused by ice pressure from 10.000 years ago. Similar Dysjar are also on Sandoy and Suðuroy.From here, it is about 8 km of decent path to Tórshavn. The view is excellent and diverse. The walk ends at the parking place above the quarry by Oyggjarvegur (where the fire station is).<br>
See more detailsThe walk through the valley, across the gully Marknagil and up the hill is tranquil and beautiful. Coming up from Marknagil, you will see the cliff Líraberg and the columnar basalt at Stórareyni. The starting point of the village path is not well marked at either end, but otherwise, there are many well-maintained cairns along the way. As the route is well-travelled, it is easy to see the whole way except for the last short stretch down the main road, Oyggjarvegurin. There is a gate that leads to the path in Leynar. It is easier and more beautiful to walk toward Leynar.
See more detailsThe ascent from Skálabotnur is quite steep, and it is strenuous to come up to the plain. A large plain with bedrock, ponds and bogs stretches all the way from the path through the crags called Ennistígar to the pass Millum Fjalla. It is peaceful to walk among all the birds that live here. At Selatrað the terrain is grass-covered and good for walking. The view over this lovely village is unique, the marina, church, park and gardens with large trees defining the village.The cairns are particularly big and fascinating between Skálabotnur and Millum Fjalla.It is not possible to hike from Skálabotnur up along the river Ennisá since fenced-off private plots of land are on both sides. It is recommended to walk up between the rivers Vakará and Skipá, where the old cattle grid was. Hike up south of the old water reservoir to the corner of the fence, where you can pass through an opening.At Selatrað, the best route is to go from the mission hall up the old cattle trail on the northern bank of the river Mittúnsá until you reach a rock wall, where you go through an iron fence. From here, continue along the southern bank of Mittúnsá until you reach a fence where you need to find the best place to climb over it. Continue on the village path.
See more detailsStart at the parking lot at Gøtueiði, walk through the gate, and follow the trail upwards. The route across Gøtueiði has always been important, historically used for gatherings and military movements. From Gøtueiði to Støðlafjall Follow the path southward and up towards the fence. Walk first on the eastern side of the fence and later on the western side as you ascend Støðlafjall. Upon reaching Hálsin, the surroundings become peaceful, with abundant birdlife. Cross over the fence using the stile and continue upwards. The western side of Støðlafjall gets plenty of sun and was once considered the best cattle grazing land in Eysturoy. The view becomes increasingly stunning, overlooking Skálafjørður, Gøtuvík, and Norðoyggjar. The steep Borgarin peak next to Nestindar is particularly striking. The Summit and Historical Sites At the top, countless mountains stretch into the distance, and the telecommunications mast stands here. The plateau is vast and was once used for football matches. Walk east along the ridge, but be cautious—it's steep! A British soldier fell to his death here during World War II. The spectacular view over Syðrugøta is where the annual G! Festival takes place, and the distinctive round pier is visible. Below, in the valley known as Úti á Dalinum, peat was historically cut. A land dispute between Syðrugøta and Søldarfjørður led to this area being called Trætustykkið ("The Disputed Plot"). Legends of Tróndur and Skeggi The path towards Miðafelsskarð is called Tróndargøta—the trail Tróndur í Gøtu used to walk to the assembly site under Stórafjall. Further south lies Skeggjanøvan, where, according to legend, a farmer named Søldi tricked his brother Skeggi and pushed him off the cliff. Return Walk south on the plateau to enjoy the view over Skálafjørður and Sandoy. Then head back north to the house and descend the same way you came up.
See more detailsThe hike starts at the crossroads where Landavegur and Velbastaðvegur meet. From there, follow the path down to the river Sandá and then up to the farm, where the path to Kirkjubøur begins. From here, continue uphill. When you have reached the top of the hill, turn around for the good view over Tórshavn out to Nólsoy. When you continue, go around the crag Reynsmúli to the hollow Reynsmúlalág. Here there are two lakes where you might spot Kittiwakes in the summer.Follow the cairns and you will see a dais<strong></strong>built of rocks. The dais was used for open air folk meetings from the 19th century up to the 1960s. At these meetings speeches were held, patriotic songs (written for the occasion) were sung, and flags were waved. It is easy to imagine how crowds settled on the hill in front of the dais to listen to people like Jóannes Patursson (1866-1946), a pioneer in the Faroese national separatist movement. The tradition of having folk meetings is still alive in the Faroe Islands, e.g., in Tórshavn during the national holiday Ólavsøka, held on 28-29 July.After Reynsmúlalág, the path continues southwards. En route, enjoy the great views over the islands of Sandoy, Hestur, Koltur, and Vágoy. According to legend, there was a young man from Koltur named Magnus who courted a girl from Hestur. The girl’s father was to be held in the dark about their relationship. So, when the tidal current flowed southward, Magnus swam from Koltur to Hestur to spend time with the girl; when the tide turned, he swam back to Koltur. The girl’s father discovered their trysts. And one day, when Magnus came ashore, the father stood before him with an axe and threatened to kill him. Magnus was forced back to sea and was never seen again, the current undoubtedly dragging him out to sea. The legend has it that as an act of revenge the eddy Grísarnir appeared soon after this in the strait Kolturssund, where it still churns and turns to this day.As you approach Kirkjubøur, you will see a small islet, Kirkjubøhólmur, which used to be part of the mainland and the village. You can still see the ruins of old houses on the islet. Continue on the path as it moves gradually down to the village and ends by a cattle grid some 50 metres from the nearest houses.Kirkjubøur is a beautiful and charming village, where most of the houses are built in the old style. The village has a wealth of attractions such as Kirkjubømúrurin (the ruins of an old cathedral believed to have been built around AD 1300), Stokkastovurnar (the old farmhouses from about AD 1350, built on the ruins of the old bishop’s seat), and Kirkjubøur Church, which is the oldest church in the Faroe Islands still in use. It was built in the 13th century.The hike can be taken in either direction, going toward Kirkjubøur being a little less strenuous.<br>
See more detailsFrom Kambsdalur the path begins on the road Børkugøta. A sign marks the beginning newly erected cairns lead the way. First, you walk by the old peat strip belonging to Fuglafjørður. On Skarðsbrúgv, you arrive at a gorge. Walk towards the edge of the gorge where there is a passage up to Skarðsbrúgv. There, you will see the first cairn. You will have an excellent view over Fuglafjørður and the surrounding mountains. To the north, there is also a view towards Kalsoy with the spiky Nestindur, with its 788 metres, towering skywards, and Kunoy with its distinctive, huge notch in the otherwise solid wall of rock. To the east Ritafjall (also called Leirvíksfjall) and if you gaze down you see an old road. This is the first road to Leirvík. You now come to Trælavatn where there is a large colony of Herring Gulls in the summer. There are also Oystercatchers, Geese and other birds. You must keep to the north side of the lake where you come in on the old path. The path is level, but the terrain is uneven and rocky. There are some cairns showing land boundaries in the outfield approximately 100 metres south of the trail. Be careful not to go the wrong way! When you see the long fjord south towards Toftavatn with Nólsoy in the background, the village cairn path slowly turns to the right. On the other side of the fjord, you have the beautiful Reyðafelstindur in front of you. Be careful when you go down through Rossastígar, as it is steep in some places. It can be difficult to spot the cairns. The cairns are further down on the plain. Walk towards them. The best place to walk along the river down to Tundradalur is on the south side (left side). Legend has it that once upon a time there were four men from Hattarvík on Fugloy called Floksmenninir who wanted to conquer all the Faroe Islands. They were captured and sentenced to be thrown off the steepest area by Valaknúkar. Their sentence was carried out and they were buried at Tingsteinur under Valaknúkar. Walk down on the main road near the petrol station. If you want to go further, you can continue from Skálabotnur to Selatrað. It takes about three and a half hours more.
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