Sharing the 6 absolute best hikes in the Faroe Islands that you should not miss!
Nestled in the North Atlantic Ocean, where massive cliffs plunge into swirling seas and emerald-green slopes meet dramatic skies, the Faroe Islands offer some of Europe’s most captivating landscapes. For avid hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, this archipelago is a paradise waiting to be explored on foot.
If you are planning a trip to the Faroe Islands you definitely have hiking in mind. Whether you are a newbie or a seasoned pro, you will have an amazing time seeing the breathtaking views. Most of the best hikes in the Faroe Islands are relatively easy, so even if you want more of a walk in the Faroe Islands, you’ll find it!
I’ve hiked all over the world from Patagonia, Chile to the Blue Ridge Mountains, and I must say that the Faroe Islands offered a bucket list worthy experience.
In this guide, we discuss the best Faroe Islands hikes, each chosen from my personal experience and not just for their scenic vistas but for the unique experiences they promise. You definitely will want to schedule extra time for taking photos and simply stopping to take it all in. I’m also talking through important tips like hiking fees, what you should wear, and if you need a guide.
These are my absolute favorite hikes to add to your bucket list for the Faroe Islands!
1. Kallur Lighthouse Hike
The hike to Kallur Lighthouse on Kalsoy was one of the most beautiful hikes in the Faroe Islands! Once you reach the top and proceed to walk out onto the far ledge, it feels like you have reached the end of the world! It’s so incredibly surreal that somewhere so remote and breathtaking exists.
You will begin in the village of Trollanes (translation: “where the trolls live”) where there are public restrooms and a little cafe serving coffee & waffles. Then, you will head up the side of the mountain until you reach the lighthouse. The first part is all uphill, but it’s not too challenging. You will need hiking boots (waterproof) as it is quite muddy in the first half of the hike.
This is where they filmed the death of James Bond in “No Time to Die” and the clever Faroese people put up a tombstone to mark the site. You will see this on the hike as well.
practical information for Kallur Lighthouse hike
- Starting point? Trøllanes village on Kalsoy
- Difficulty & Time? The hike is pretty easy, but there is some uphill action so I would say it’s moderate. The mountain blocks the wind until you reach the top so it’s pretty comfortable and I even took my jacket on and off. It’s about 45-60 minutes each way, depending on your speed and how often you stop to admire the view. You’ll want to spend plenty of extra time at the top because it’s stunning. We finished in 2 hours total.
- How to Get There? While you will start in the village of Trøllanes, getting there is another story. You need to take the ferry (named Sam) from Klaksvik as this is the only way to reach the island (10 min ride). From there, it is a 20 minute drive to Trøllanes. The ferry only takes 12 cars so you need to arrive an hour early (at minimum) or plan to wait for the next one since you can not book in advance. For this reason, we chose not to take the car and that leads me to the next question…
- Do you need a guide? You do not need a guide for the hike. However, we booked a guided tour for the transportation security it offered. You can easily walk on the ferry as a passenger, but it can be challenging to get a car across (and back across). When we returned, there was a huge line of cars and only a few made it on with a tractor crossing as well. The ferry schedule is here, but they will keep running until every car gets off (which could be all night). There are public buses, but we didn’t want to rely on that.
- Hiking fees? There is not a hiking fee, but you do have to pay to ferry across. Prices depend on if you are a foot passenger or car. The guided hike that we booked cost $115 USD/person. Pricey, but worth it for all the time it saved us from having to bring a car across.
2. Lake Above the Ocean Hike – Lake Sorvagsvatn, Trælanipa, and Bosdalafossur Waterfall
This was my absolute favorite Faroe Islands hike of the trip and the first one we did. It is a fabulous stroll along Lake Sørvagsvatn while you admire the sheep and waterfalls. Once at the top you will be treated to an amazing optical illusion which makes it look like the lake is floating above the ocean.
From there, you’ll head down the other side of the cliff to see the Bosdalafossur Waterfall as it flows directly into the ocean.
It was pretty muddy at parts so I do suggest hiking boots or waterproof shoes for this hike. It was a very easy hike with only a few minutes with a steep incline. Very kid friendly with tons of children and babies in carriers on the trail.
practical information for this hike
- Starting point? You’ll begin at the marked trailhead in Miðvágur where there is a small cafe with picnic tables, snacks, and beverages.
- Difficulty & Time? This is a super easy hike. It is mostly a walk until you reach the top where the cliff is uphill for a few minutes. Then, the rest is downhill and mostly flat on the return. It is about a 4 mile hike with very little elevation gain.
- How to Get There? The hike is very accessible, located minutes from the airport – we did it as our first stop. You will head to the first village past the airport on the way toward Torshavn and follow the signs for Traelanipa.
- Do you need a guide? No guide needed!
- Hiking fees? Yes, it is a little less than $30USD per person which you pay at the trailhead cafe with card or cash. It may be pricey, but this is a small island that relies on tourism. I was happy to contribute to help them maintain the trail and provide the convenient little store with restrooms.
3. Mulafossur Waterfall & Gasadalur Hike
This hike is a MUST DO to see this amazing, fairy tale-like waterfall in the Faroe Islands.😍 I am still not over the spectacular views of the water dropping off the cliff into the sea with the village of Gásadalur in the distance. You can walk a short distance to the viewing point (takes only a few minutes) or do the longer hike too!
Option 1: Mulafossur Waterfall Viewing
If you are interested in some easy walking in the Faroe Islands, this is for you! On the drive there you will see the sea stacks known as Dragarnir in the distance and as you exit the tunnel, you will see the incredible view of Gasadalur. There is a little parking area right along the road by the falls where you can walk out. Takes 5 minutes to see this spectacular site!
You can also see puffins here!
Option 2: Full Gasadalur Hike
This Faroe Island hike begins in the village called Bour which is right before Gasadalur. It takes about 2 hours and you will see stunning views of the waterfall, village, and Mykines in the distance. It’s easily the best hike in the Faroe Islands for the views.
Until they built a tunnel in 2004, this was the only route up and over the mountain. We didn’t do the full hike, but saw many people on it. It is a very steep incline as you come down the mountain so I would not recommend it for everyone especially if you have kids.
practical information
- Starting point? Village called Bour right before Gasadalur.
- Difficulty & Time? 2.5 hours for the full Gasadalur hike. It is about 3 miles with steep inclines at parts and runs along the edge of a cliff.
- How to Get There? The town is about 10-15 minutes from Vagar airport. It’s a great option to do as your first stop or before you depart the islands.
- Do you need a guide? You do not need a guide.
- Hiking fees? There is not a fee for the hike or to view the waterfall.
4. Mykines Lighthouse Hike
You might be convinced to visit the Faroe Islands solely for the chance to get up close with the puffins. I certainly was! You will find the puffins on Mykines (pronounced me-chin-ness) which is their nesting area during the summer months. It can only be reached via ferry and only a few people live on the island.
The hike to the lighthouse is super remote with stunning views of the sea and of course, you will pass hundreds of puffins along the way. Unfortunately, this hike was closed when we visited due to a landslide and it sounds like this happens often. There is another hike on the opposite side of the island that looks back toward the lighthouse in the distance so this is a good option if it is closed.
Practical information
- Starting point? Right beyond the main village and ferry port. Walking distance!
- Difficulty & Time? Moderately difficult with a lot of uphill. You should plan to have at least 2 hours for this hike, but maybe more as the puffins will certainly distract you!
- How to Get There? There is a ferry required to reach Mykines and it’s quite popular so you need to book in advance. It is often canceled due to inclement weather (rough seas) so everyone recommends to book this for one of your first days so that you have a chance to reschedule. Also, they will not run the ferry in the morning if they think there is even the slightest chance that they would be unable to pick you up. We chose to book the speed boat instead of the main ferry because I liked the timing better. I felt like the main ferry kept you there all day and the speed boat allowed for a half day trip. However, our trip did get cancelled so we didn’t get to go anyways.
- Do you need a guide? You do not need a guide, but you can book one at Mykines.fo if you would like to have a local share knowledge on the islands.
- Hiking fees? You will need to pay the hiking fee at hiking.fo which is ~$30USD. I would wait until the last minute in case the ferry gets canceled (like ours did).
5. Saksun Beach Trail Walk
I was really surprised by the beauty of Saksun. The drive to Saksun is spectacular. You drive on a one-way road along a river that runs between two mountains. It feels like you are driving to nowhere, but once you get there it’s totally worth it. It felt like we literally drove to the middle of the Earth.
Once you reach the village of Saksun, there is a walking path down to the beach or up to the waterfall. We walked out toward the church and up to the waterfall for a great view. You can keep going to do the full hike over the mountain, but we only climbed up to the falls. It’s great if you are only looking for walking the Faroe Islands.
This a short under 3 mile walk out to the lagoon and back. It is a super easy route that will take an hour or so to finish. You will be rewarded with amazing views of the sea, mountain, waterfall and the tiny village of Saksun.
The bay that you walk towards was once a natural harbor, but black sand has accumulated making it only accessible by small boats at low tide. The area is well-know for its salmon and sea trout and you will see people fishing in the nearby lake.
practical information
- Starting point? Village of Saksun
- Difficulty & Time? Lagoon Walk is one hour that is more of a walk than a hike.
- How to Get There? Drive or take the bus to the village of Saksun. There is parking and public rest area.
- Do you need a guide? You do not need a guide for either hike.
- Hiking fees? Saksun Lagoon Walk is $10USD/person – credit card only
6. Saksun to Tjørnuvik Hike
This hike begins in the remote village of Saksun along the waterfall and up over the mountain where you will come down the other side to the beach of Tjørnuvik. It is one of the most beautiful hikes with amazing views of both Saksun and Tjørnuvik. When you reach Tjørnuvik, you will see the sea stacks of Risin and Kellingin in the distance.
This is a popular area for surfing so hopefully you will get to watch some surfers while you warm up! It’s about 4 miles with a 1600+ foot elevation gain so a bit more challenging, but we saw kids doing it.
Practical information
- Starting point? Village of Saksun ending in Tjørnuvik on the coast.
- Difficulty & Time? This longer hike to Tjørnuvik takes 3 hours and is very steep with a decent elevation gain so is more difficult.
- How to Get There? Drive or take the bus to the village of Saksun. There is parking and a public rest area before you get started. Although, you do need to figure out how to get back to your car if you drive. We saw people taking a taxi.
- Do you need a guide? You do not need a guide for either hike.
- Hiking fees? There is not a hiking fee.
Faroe Islands Hiking Tips & Practical Information
- Many of the trails are muddy so always plan to wear waterproof shoes or boots.
- The weather can change at any moment so always be over prepared. Pack a raincoat, hat, waterproof pants, extra layer for warmth, etc.
- There are not many dining options outside of the main towns so pack snacks and water. I always take several of my favorite protein bars so I can continue on.
- Know where you are going and take a map. Cell service and WiFi are not reliable, especially while we were in Saksun.
- Check out my packing list for Patagonia – I took all the same things to the Faroe Islands! 🙌
- I wore leggings, long sleeve top, puffer coat, wool socks, and hiking boots for each hike. I also brought a rain coat and extra sweatshirt base layer.
Faroe Islands Hiking Trail Map
Use this map of the Faroe Islands to navigate your hiking adventures!
Questions? Please let me know in the comments – I am more than happy to help! 🙂
Faroe Islands Hiking Packing List
Here’s a short packing list with essentials for hiking in the Faroe Islands:
- Waterproof Jacket: Weather in the Faroe Islands can be unpredictable, so a good waterproof and windproof jacket is essential. It can be very windy!!
- Waterproof Pants: Lightweight, breathable waterproof pants will keep you dry and comfortable during hikes.
- Hiking Boots: Sturdy hiking boots with good ankle support and waterproofing are crucial due to the rugged terrain and potentially wet conditions.
- Layers of Clothing: Pack moisture-wicking base layers, insulating mid-layers (fleece or wool), and a breathable outer layer for variable weather conditions.
- Backpack: A comfortable daypack to carry your essentials and extra layers.
- Hat and Gloves: Even in summer, it can get chilly and windy, so a warm hat and gloves are recommended.
- Sunglasses and Sunscreen: Protect yourself from the sun, which can be strong even with cloud cover.
- Water and Snacks: Carry plenty of water and high-energy snacks for sustenance during hikes.
- Camera or Smartphone: The landscapes in the Faroe Islands are stunning, so you’ll want to capture memories.
- Travel Adapter: If you’re traveling from outside Europe, you’ll need a European plug adapter.
- Cash: While many places accept credit cards, having some cash on hand can be useful for smaller purchases or in more remote areas.
- Reusable Water Bottle: Tap water is safe to drink in the Faroe Islands, so a reusable water bottle is eco-friendly and convenient.
Remember to pack light but adequately prepared for the changeable weather and rugged terrain of the Faroe Islands. Enjoy your hiking adventure!
Continue Planning a Visit to the Faroe Islands
Use these posts for the best of the Faroe Islands!
What month did you visit the Faroe Islands? I’m very concerned that my travel plans in mid May 2026 will be at the mercy of ferries that may get cancelled or very low visibility from fog. Am I correct to be concerned?
Hi! We visited the Faroe Islands in August. The ferry and boat tours to Mykines is the one that can sometimes be cancelled pending weather/rough seas. This can occur in any month. I recommend to plan your tour to that island at the beginning of your trip so you can have time to reschedule if needed. Personally, I would not be too worried about it, but know it can happen and the weather can be unpredictable there. That said, we had great weather most of our trip, though our tour to Mykines was cancelled. The best times to visit for most stable weather and long days is May-September. Hope this helps!