Off-Season Adventure: 5 Days Hiking and Exploring the Faroe Islands

Once you land in the Faroe Islands, grab your rental car and explore Vágar. You’ll have to pay a toll to take the sub-ocean tunnel to the neighboring island of Stremoy (usually included in your car rental price), so take advantage of your landing in Vágar to see some incredible sights.

First, you’ll head north of the airport to Gasadalur where you can see the Faroes’ iconic Múlafossur waterfall. Park your car in the parking lot at the edge of Gasadalur, and then walk the path to view the waterfall. Take in the scenic view and grab a few photos before heading into Sørvágur to grab a bite to eat at Restaurant Cafe Pollastova.

After you’ve had some food, head to the Miðvágurt to Bøsdalafossur Trailhead for your first hike to the stunning cliff lake, Sørvágsvatn. This easy hike will reward you with amazing views of the “hanging lake” – an optical illusion that makes the lake appear to hover over the ocean. From here, you can head up the Trælanípa cliff before beginning your return hike.

This hike does require a fee of about 200 DKK at the entrance before you start your hike. If the weather is bad, the trail may be closed. Do not attempt to hike when the trail is closed – you can come back to do one last hike before your flight home.

Once you’ve completed the Miðvágurt to Bøsdalafossur hike and taken in the breathtaking views of Bøsdalafossur Waterfall and Trælanípa, you’ll drive to Klaksvík to grab some food and settle for the night.

On day two, you’ll take the ferry from Klaksvík to Kalsoy to hike to the Kallur lighthouse. This is one of the most famous hikes of the Faroe Islands, and you can’t miss it. You can either take your car on the ferry to drive around Kalsoy, or you can take the ferry and catch a bus to get around the island. Be mindful of bus schedules in the off-season if you’re considering this option!

Head up to Trøllanes, where you will find the start of the hike. Once you reach the top, you’re rewarded with views of the lighthouse and Kalsoy Island, as well as the other islands nearby. You can also find the James Bond gravestone a short walk from the lighthouse.

Hike your way back down and head to Mikladalur to see the Sea Woman statue (Kópakonan) and Mikladalurfossur next. Spend some time in the surrounding areas before you catch the ferry back to Klaksvík for the evening.

The ferries don’t come too frequently in the off-season, so be mindful of their departure times to ensure you’re in the line in time to make your desired ferry. Also, be sure to pack some snacks, since Kalsoy only has one restaurant, which is closed during the off-season, and no grocery stores.

If you make it back to Klaksvík and find yourself craving more activity, take a hike up Klakkur for scenic views of the town below and the neighboring islands.

Today, bid farewell to Klaksvík and embark on a journey to Gjógv. On the way to Gjógv, make a detour to Elduvík where a quick walk down a designated path rewards you with a breathtaking natural gorge. Soak in the scenery before continuing your adventure.

From Elduvík, you’ll head to Gjógv for another stunning hike. You’ll find parking at the base of the hike near the gorge. The gorge itself is stunning and is worth the descent. After you take in the view of the gorge, you’ll head up to the Ambadalur Trailhead. There’s a small hike to the entrance where a fee is required. Make sure you have cash to leave in the box at the entrance before proceeding up the cliff. As you ascend the cliff, prepare to be mesmerized by panoramic views of the charming town below and the silhouette of Kalsoy Island in the distance. On a clear day, you can even see the Kallur lighthouse from yesterday’s hike!

After you complete the hike by descending back to Gjógv, you’ll drive to Tórshavn where you’ll set up camp for the remainder of the trip.

Start your day with a drive to Saksun, a postcard-perfect village nestled amidst dramatic cliffs and cascading waterfalls. You've likely seen photos of its charming grass-roofed church and houses. Take a moment to admire the scenery, but be mindful of local privacy requests - avoid photographing homes and respect any posted signage.

Feeling adventurous? Embark on the 3-hour Saksun-Tjørnuvík hike, offering breathtaking coastal views. This trek is typically done one-way, so plan your return by checking bus schedules for pickup at the Tjørnuvík trailhead or give yourself around 6 hours to make the trek back to Saksun.

Prefer a scenic drive? Follow the road past Saksun, stopping at Fossá - the Faroe Islands' mightiest waterfall, cascading dramatically right beside the road. Take a moment to appreciate its grandeur before continuing towards Tjørnuvík.

Upon arrival in Tjørnuvík, park near the village entrance and take a stroll down to the unique black sand beach. This dramatic coastline offers a perfect opportunity to relax and soak in the scenery.

After exploring Tjørnuvík, head back to Tórshavn for the evening to recharge for your final day.

For day five, you’ll wrap up your trip in Tórshavn – the capital of the Faroe Islands. If rain dampens your plans, explore the bustling harbor area and indulge in Tórshavn's world-renowned culinary scene. You can find two of the Faroe Islands’ best restaurants in Tórshavn: ROKS and Ræst. If you like beer, head to OY Brewing to sample some local beers and delicious food. Foodies with meticulous planning can attempt a reservation at KOKS, the Faroe Islands' only Michelin-starred restaurant. Reservations are necessary and the restaurant is located in Leynavatn, a 30-minute drive away.

Clear skies beckon you for an outdoor adventure? Embark on the Tórshavn-Kirkjubøur hike, an approximately one-and-a-half hour journey (each way) rewarding you with breathtaking panoramic views of Tórshavn, the surrounding islands, and the dramatic Faroese landscape. If time allows, consider lingering in the village of Kirkjubøur to explore its rich history. Here, you'll find the oldest church in the Faroes and the fascinating ruins of Kirkjubømúrurin, a cathedral estimated to be built around 1300.

On day six, head from Tórshavn back to Vágar to catch your flight out. If your flight is in the afternoon or evening, you can head to Vágar early to hike around Sørvágsvatn if you didn’t have time earlier in your trip.

Additional days:
If you want to extend your stay, you can add on a couple of additional hikes, as long as the weather is nice.
- Villingardalsfjall - Enniberg hike (Viðoy)
- Witches Finger Trail (Vágar)

Using this itinerary for the summer season? Be sure to add on time to visit Mykines to see puffins and consider venturing to Nólsoy and Sandoy for additional hiking trails that are not accessible in the off-season.