Overview
Set in the North Atlantic halfway between Iceland and Norway, the Faroe Islands are remote and absolutely breathtaking. This otherworldly landscape has mountaintops wreathed in clouds, soaring cliffs plunging over 2,000 feet into the ocean, and emerald moorlands rising from valleys painted with bright-colored villages and ringed by black-sand beaches. On this cultural and hiking adventure, we pair wonderful hikes with the welcoming Faroese people for an unforgettable journey in the “Land of Maybe.”
On Mykines and the Vestmanna sea cliffs, we’ll witness the unforgettable sight of thousands of nesting seabirds, including puffins, soaring along the edge of cliffs. Our hikes bring us across wild, grassy hillsides alongside the hardy sheep that outnumber the human residents 2:1, and we’ll walk in the footsteps of postmen who had to cross rolling these mountains to deliver the mail. We’ll hike the high pastures of Ambadalur above the charming village of Gjógv, visit turf-roofed houses on our hike from Saksun to Tjørnuvík, and savor tasty traditional waffles when we arrive in this charming village. Our meals include outrageously fresh fish, and we'll have the chance to sample lots of traditional Faroese cuisine and drink beer from the island’s oldest brewery. In Tórshavn, Europe’s smallest capital (and with a great food scene), we’ll wander past the colorful wooden buildings of Old Town and explore the lively marina where local fishermen sell their day’s catch.
Our overnight bases between hikes are in cozy hotels and a charming guesthouse where we’ll get to experience traditional Faroese singing and unique chain dancing. Along the way, you’ll be entertained with island legends and Viking history, and spend time with knitters, cooks, beer makers, artists, and farmers—all of whom have a story to share in this delightful archipelago.
This trip was wonderful. The islands are stunning, with incredibly dramatic scenery and weather. The birds, especially the puffins and oystercatchers, were amazing. The hikes were lovely, not too strenuous and appropriate for the group traveling.
— Linda K., Saratoga Springs, NY
Itinerary at a Glance
Days 1-2
Vágar Island / Mykines Island
On Vágar, we hike to the stupendous cliffs at Trælanípa to view Sørvágsvatn, a breathtaking clifftop lake that seems suspended in the sky. We cruise below Faroese rock formations to Mykines Island for a walk through its turf-roofed village and a hike to a teeming puffin colony.
Days 3-4
Vestmanna Cliffs / Eysturoy Island
The thousand-foot high Vestmanna cliffs are sculpted into craggy arches and grottos that are home to thousands of seabirds including guillemots and razorbills—and daring sheep that graze on the edges. We’ll boat below these cliffs, and on Eysturoy, meet a local artist at her studio, then hike to a sweeping panorama of the Faroes’ dramatic sea stacks.
Days 5-6
Bordoy and Vidoy Islands / Faroese Dancing
On Bordoy, we visit the oldest brewery in the Faroes, and on Vidoy, our hike brings epic views of the northernmost edges of the archipelago and the wild Norwegian Sea stretching toward the Arctic. One evening, we’ll have a dinner complete with Faroese dance and song.
Days 7-8
Tórshavn
We explore Tórshavn’s Old Town, with its turf-roofed buildings, and enjoy dinner in a family home with ingredients fresh from the farm—and of course, local Faroese schnapps. Depart on Day 8 via Sørvágur.
Hiking the Faroe Islands
Highlights
Highlights
Details
6 hiking days on moderate to strenuous trails, some steep sections, 2-4 hours most days, van support (for luggage or if you wish to skip a day's hike). This is a strenuous hiking trip, read “What the Trip is Like” for more details.
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