Nature

Out of town - into the wild

Occasionally, towns, cars and everyday life can be stressful and noisy, and we forget the peace and quiet that nature can provide. Nature provides a delightful certainty that there is something infinite, something much larger than us. Nature is special in the Faroe Islands. It is something you share and something that brings you together. It gives you the kind of experiences that stays with you to think back on.

You must visit the Faroe Islands if:

If you find background landscapes beautiful

if you appreciate a unique natural landscape, which makes you relax

If you want to experience truly unique nature, only two hours from Denmark.

The best hiking - right on your doorstep

In the Faroe Islands, the next nature experience is always nearby. No matter where you stop or where you live, nature is not further away than just stepping out into it. So bring a good pair of hiking boots, get some tips from the tourist office or the locals and head into the mountains and up where the view is more beautiful.

Recommendations for nature experiences in the Faroe Islands:

The Faroe Islands is in itself an experience. If you want inspiration for exciting and extraordinary nature experiences, we have put together some recommendations for you here:

Gásadalur (Gåsedal) - This village is beautifully located in the highlands between the mountains and the sea. From the village a majestic waterfall tumbles to the sea, and you have a view of rocky Tindhólmur and Mykines. Gásadalur is a 15-minute drive from Vágar Airport via a tunnel.

Gjógv - A very authentic village on the north end of Eysturoy with about 60 inhabitants. In the village there is a fascinating ravine used by locals through generations as a natural harbor. The nature is fantastic and there is plenty of opportunity for beautiful walks in the countryside. There is a cozy and popular hostel in the village.

Mykines (Myggenæs) - A remote island west of Vágar. There is a small settlement here and if you go west, an old wooden bridge will take you to an impressive place: the lighthouse that stands atop Mykineshólmur, where birds live along the straight and impressive rock face that extends to the northeast.

Saksun - A small idyllic village in the central valley on Streymoy. Here you can experience the traditional Faroese building style with grass turf roofs, fishing in the Saksunarvatn lake and see the old farm Dúvagarõur.

Vestmanna and Vestmannabjørgini bird cliffs - Vestmanna is a settlement in the northwestern part of Streymoy. You can sail from here on one of the popular boat trips and experience the birds and rocks at Vestmannabjørgini.

The weather in the Faroe Islands

Nature and weather in the Faroe Islands are connected to each other, and if you want to experience nature on your own it is important that you take care of yourself. You can read a little about the weather on the Faroe Islands here and get information about what you need to be aware of.

Map of the Faroe Islands

If you have difficulties remembering which island is which, you can learn more on our map of the Faroe Islands.

Experience nature in a different way

Nature can be experienced in many ways. Roads are good in the Faroe Islands, and getting around by car or motorcycle is only natural. If you have good legs and weather permits, an obvious choice is to go cycling on the steep and winding roads which will offer you a hard and spectacular bike ride. Or you can ride through the countryside on the back of the small rugged Faroese horse. How would you like to experience the Faroe Islands?

Gásadalur - best view in the Faroe Islands

Gásadalur is perhaps the village with the most beautiful view in the Faroe Islands. The village is on the other side of the mountain on the northern part of Vágar. In 2004, the village was connected to the rest of the island through a tunnel. Before that, the only way to get to Gásadalur was by hiking over the mountain from Bøur. Until 2004, the postman hiked over the mountain to the village three times a week.

The tunnel to Gásadalur is part of a Faroese policy to preserve the villages and settlements in the Faroe Islands, even those that are somewhat remote. This means that you are able to get to Gásadalur from Vágar airport in just 20 minutes. The tunnel only has one lane, but there are notches enabling one of two cars to hold back and let the other pass.

The waterfall in Gásadalur

Gásadalur means Goose valley, and the village is located in an iconic Faroese landscape. The mountain rises behind the village, and in front of it the water falls over the cliff and directly into the sea. From the village you have a beautiful view of the sea towards Mykines and Tindhólmur.

If you take a short hike from the village to the sea and the rocks, you come to a small path you can follow to a steep old natural staircase. It was carved into the rocks and leads you down to an old harbour. From here you have a fantastic view of the village. In the foreground, the waterfall that falls towards the sea. At sea level, there are caves going under the rocks.

An overwhelming view

The view of Gásadalur is one of the most photographed places in the Faroe Islands, and once you see it you will understand why. There is a special atmosphere at the site and always fascinating and mesmerizing to follow the waterfall and observe how the water continuously flows over the edge down onto the sea surface.

Gjógv - an excellent experience of nature

In beautiful landscape at the north end of Eysturoy, lies the small village of Gjógv. Here you will enjoy nature in its purest form. Waves that turn into roar and foam when they hit the rugged cliffs, the endless sea and the view to the Northern Islands, which lie like a mythical land on the other side of the fjord.

Gjógv is an authentic town situated in a secluded part of Eysturoy, and the journey there go through tough hairpin turns through valleys and over the highest mountain in the Faroes. Named Slætteratindur, it extends 882 meters above sea level. It is a wonderful hike from Gjógv to the top of the hill where you get a fantastic view of the Faroe Islands.

If you take a drive from Gjógv to Eiði you go past the beautiful rock formation Risin og Kellingin, featured in an old Faroese legend.

A natural harbor in the gulf

Gjógv is a small traditional village that has lived off the Faroese land since ancient times. In the middle of the village is a stone staircase leading into a gorge, wedged into the village. Gjógv means gorge in Faroese language, and the village got the name since the gorge was used as a natural harbor. The locals got their boats in the water in the gorge where the sea was calmer.

There is a rail along the steps down to the harbor, making it possible to pull the boats up to town when they need repair or when weather and waves are too severe.

It is impressive to stand down in the gorge and watch the birds zipping between the rocks and sit on the rock wall. The waves roll one by one into the gap, gnawing very slowly on the rock wall with a thunderous roar.

Staying the night in Gjógv

There is a cozy and popular hostel in Gjógv that will serve as your base in the wild. You can read more about the hostel in Gjógv HERE.

Find serenity on Mykines

Mykines is shaped like a boomerang, and is the westernmost of the Faroe Islands. It is one of the few islands not connected to the main islands by tunnel or bridge. If you want to visit Mykines you go by boat or helicopter. In return, you are guaranteed peace and quiet. There is a slow pace on this island and you will have an opportunity to enjoy the tranquility, the weather and the birds playing in the wind.

There is a helicopter flying to the island throughout the year and a boat sailing from May to August, but both helicopter and boat is weather dependent. Therefore you must be prepared that your departure may be delayed.

If you love to feel the force of nature and having a truly authentic experience in an environment that rests completely in itself, Mykines is a perfect destination. There is room here to unplug yourselves and just enjoy the fresh air and nature around you.

The stonewood and the lighthouse

Legend has it that in ancient times trees grew in the Faroe Islands. When a farmer refused to pay taxes on the wood, the trees were turned into stone. You can see the impressive rock formations, or stone forest as it's called, on the north side of Mykines. These stone pillars are up to 55 meters high and made ​​of basalt.

Mykineshólmur is a small island located quite close to Mykines and the two islands are connected by a small wooden bridge. On top of Mykineshólmur is a small beautiful lighthouse in white and red, warning ships about the rough rocks. There is rich bird life along the cliffs.

The birds on Mykines

Mykines is a paradise if you want to experience the amazing Faroese birdlife. On Mykines you can see virtually all of the Faroese bird species. The most famous bird of the island is the majestic gannet. In the Faroe Islands, the gannet is considered the king of the Faroese birds because of its size and its wild plunge towards the sea for small fish and squid. The gannet is part of the Atlantic Airways logo and the famous Faroese artist Tróndur Patursson has created ​​colorful gannets in glass. Among other places, you will be able to see these in Vágar airport.

Lunder, or puffin, has for many centuries been a source of survival for the inhabitants of the island. The locals catch the bird with a so-called fleygastong (fowling rod), which is a long stick with a rectangular grid at the end. If you stand on top of the rocks you can catch the birds and return home with dinner.

Visit nature and birds

Bird life and nature on Mykines is wonderful. Go there for a very special experience of nature and enjoy the tranquility that comes from being on an island, where you can’t just leave. You cannot take the car anywhere - you just have to stay in the now.

Saksun - The village that becomes one with the landscape

At the end of a long beautiful road between mountains in the northern end of Streymoy, lies the small idyllic village of Saksun. You will experience the charming blackened houses and a fine little whitewashed church. The buildings have turf roofs, making it look like all the houses have grown from the grass.

Saksun is famous for its picturesque location between high mountains near the lake Saksunarvatn, located very close to the sea. The lake is famous for its salmon and trout, and many come here to catch them.

Hike in Saksun

From Saksun you can take a beautiful hike, walking along the lake to the sea. You walk between the mountains and across a large sandy beach facing the sea. Be aware of high and low tide, as it is only possible to cross the sands two hours before and after low tide. So be sure to head back in time. In any case, bringing a good pair of hiking boots or rubber boots is a good idea.

The museum and church in Saksun

Dúvugarður is an old farm from the 17th century still in use today. The old building is made ​​of stone and grass and currently doubles as a museum. You can see how Faroese farmers lived at the time and the tools they used.

In the old days the locals went to Tjørnuvík to go to church, but in 1858 the small whitewashed church from Tjørnuvík was relocated to Saksun. The church, built in traditional style, holds a special tranquility.

Salmon fishing in Saksunarvatn

The large Saksunarvatn lake is one of the best places to fish for salmon in the Faroe Islands. The lake lies quietly in the bottom of the valley and drips into the sea. Perhaps there is nothing better than to just stand there - listening to spin of the wheel, dreaming about the next fish.

Vestmanna - birdcliffs and fishing

If you want to see the birds up close, and in the most authentic way, there is no better place than Vestmanna. Vestmanna is located on the northern part of Streymoy and is famous for its birdcliffs - the Vestmannabjørgini.

From the town, take a boat trip to these impressive cliffs which is a haven for the Faroese birds and is an unforgettable experience for those of you who love to get close to the action. You can witness how the birds really live, as they are always on the move between the sea and the rocks. Just imagine how busy they are in the springtime with getting their young ready to fly, so they dare take the plunge from the nest and unfold their wings.

If you are hooked on fishing, Vestmanna will satisfy your needs. You can sail from town to different fishing spots where you have ample opportunity to catch some good Faroese fish.

Cruise to Vestmannabjørgini

One thing is to look at the birds from the rocks, but quite another to be down where it really happens - feeling the sea beneath you and watching the birds hurtle out from the rocks in the wind. It is a two hour boat trip from Vestmanna to the birdcliffs, taking you to the awesome high cliffs and fascinating caves. Your Faroese skipper knows these waters as his own back pocket, and steers the boat around the sea with great precision in order for you to have the best experience.

The trip from Vestmanna is one of the most popular activities on the Faroe Islands. At the birdcliffs you will experience a wide range of beautiful Faroese birds, such as the cute puffin, the elegant guillemot and the kittiwake. Thousands of birds that live their lives above the sea and in the rocks.

The Saga Museum in Vestmanna

The Vestmanna Saga Museum provides you with a unique insight into the appearance of the Faroese in the Viking Ages. The museum features lifelike figures and vivid scenery which illustrate various dramatic scenarios from life at the time, such as the Irish monks, who were the first people in the Faroe Islands, and the Vikings who drove them away.