Hiking in the Faroe Islands
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Hiking in the Faroe Islands Hiking in the Faroe Islands | 1 WELCOME Fresh air, wind in your hair, tall mountains, sunny valleys, fascinating fog, beautiful lakes, grazing sheep and breathtaking views. These are some of the things you will experience while hiking in the Faroese mountains. One of the many special features of the Faroe Islands is that you don’t have to go far to experience magnifi cent and untouched nature. Look around you. Take a few steps. Take a deep breath and listen. It’s all right there! This hiking guide will show you some of the beautiful places in the Faroe Islands that can be discovered on foot. Visit Faroe Islands wishes you a warm welcome to the Faroe Islands. Published and distributed by Visit Faroe Islands; www.visitfaroeislands.com. Text: Óluva Zachariasen, Randi Meitil. Cover photo: @daylessday. Photos: Alessio Mesiano, Finleif Mortensen, Finnur Justinussen, Jacob Eskildsen, Mortan Ólason Vang, Náttúrugripasavnið, Ólavur Frederiksen, Pauli Djurholm, Silas Olofson, @daylessday, @whatalexloves, @zobolondon. Maps displayed in the brochure: FDS 2014. Layout: Sansir. Print: TrykTeam. 2 | Hiking in the Faroe Islands Content Welcome ........................................ 2 Need to know ......................................4 Villingardalsfjall 1 ................................. 6 Klaksvík Katlarnir Árnafjørður 2 ................... 10 Klaksvík Hálsur Klakkur 3 ........................ 12 Fuglafjørður Hellurnar 4 .......................... 14 Kambsdalur Skálabotnur 5 ....................... 16 Oyndarfjørður Elduvík 6 .......................... 18 Skálabotnur Selatrað 7 ........................... 20 Slættaratindur 8 ................................. 22 Saksun Tjørnuvík 9 .............................. 24 Hvalvík Vestmanna 10 ............................ 26 Kollfjarðardalur Leynar 11 .......................... 28 Fyri Vestan: Skeiðsskarð Norðadalur 12 ............... 30 Mykineshólmur 13 ................................ 32 Bøur Gásadalur 14 ............................... 34 Miðvágur Bøsdalafossur 15 ........................ 36 Á Hálsi við Sandavág Slættanes Fjallavatn Gásadalur 16 38 Tórshavn Kirkjubøur 17 ........................... 42 Nólsoy Borðan 18 ............................... 44 Sandur Søltuvík 19 ............................... 46 Guðrunarløkur Skarvanes Dalur 20 .................. 48 Hvannhagi 21 .................................... 50 Suðuroy from north to south 22 ...................... 52 Blæing 23 ...................................... 56 Glossary .........................................58 Faroe Islands Map ................................ 59 Hiking in the Faroe Islands | 3 Need to know PATHS AND ROUTES or uneven, and how long the route is. It can be Most of the paths described in this guide are old difficult to put a precise age on a route for children, village paths. Before the roads came, you would as all children are different. For example, an eight travel between the villages using these paths, e.g. yearold in good shape can easily cover a seven to trade, to visit family, to a Thing (local assembly) kilometre journey, while a 12yearold in bad shape (page 58) or to church. Village paths were also used can find the same trip difficult. It is important that when the coffins of the dead were carried to the an adult takes the child’s physical shape and pre nearest church. The paths are marked with ancient vious hiking experiences into consideration before cairns, a heap of stones set up as a landmark making a decision on whether or not to allow them showing the way, so you don’t get lost. to join. Some routes are not along the old village paths. FAUNA AND CULTURAL HISTORY These are along ancient footpaths that have been There are birds on many of the islands: Curlew, tread through the ages, such as on the mountains Snipe, Plovers, Oystercatchers, Skuas, Great Slættara tindur, Bøsdalafossur and Klakkur. Skuas, Ravens and Crows. Sheep, geese and hares are also common. The routes are listed in geographical order from north to south. In the outfield, you also get an idea ofhow ances tors of the Faroese people lived and got by. Stone The cairns are in good condition and are well main outhouses, boat houses, Teigalendi (old arable tained in most places. In some places, the cairns strips), peat fields and Kráir (stone stores for peat) can be hard to see, while the path is clearly visible. tell us how close to nature people have lived. You On some routes, the direction of the path is marked see old infield walls, drovers, sheep pens, sheep with poles sticking out of the ground. There are, shelters, sheep houses and Fransatoftir however, a few places without cairns, clear path (Frenchman’s Ruins, which are ruins of small hous or poles. For these places, we have described es where people took refuge from pirates in the other features, such as masts, buildings, inclination old days). of the land and gorges, that will guide you in the right direction. RESPECT NATURE Nature is fragile. It should be treated well and pro DURATION AND DIFFICULTY tected for future generations. Each route is marked with a time indication that Follow the cairns or other marks and do not go shows the duration of the walk. Unless otherwise off the paths out into the meadow or outfield noted, the time indicated covers the whole trip, Close the outfield gates behind you and not just one way. The duration indicates how Treat the cairns, fences and walls well long it takes for an adult with normal walking speed Do not disturb the sheep, birds and plants to walk the route. Meal breaks or other stops are It is prohibited to pick plants or to take stones, not included. eggs, or chicks It is customary to pick up loose wool that the The difficulty level is also described, along with a sheep have shed recommendation on whether the trip is suitable for Do not leave rubbish behind children. The difficulty level is assessed on the ba Beware of loose stones, especially when in a sis of how steep the terrain is, if the surface is flat group 4 | Hiking in the Faroe Islands Beware of not walking into marshland, as it can people for directions, weather or other advice be deep Be particularly careful in areas with loose stones Dogs must not be taken into the outfields and rocks, especially if traveling in a group. It is prohibited to travel by bicycle or motor ve Decide in advance on how you are going to walk hicle in the outfields or along the cairn paths in order to avoid accidents Do not go too close to the cliffs; especially in CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT wet areas when the ground can be slippery. Be Always wear clothes suitable for the weather. very careful with children However, as the weather in the Faroe Islands can change suddenly, even during the summer, WEATHER DEPENDENT it’s a good idea to bring extra clothes. A cap and Check the weather forecast to see if conditions gloves are also recommended are favourable for walking Many places in the outfield are rocky and wet. Do not leave if there is fog or if it is dark outside It is recommended to use walking shoes/boots Be prepared for the fact that meteorologists can with rough bottoms. Rubber boots with rough be wrong or that the weather can suddenly bottoms can also be used. Remember, shoes change after you have left and boots need to be walkedin. Do not go on If you are surprised by unexpected fog on a trip, a long hike in brand new footwear it is very important to keep to the cairns. If the We recommend you wear several thin layers of fog is so dense that you cannot see from one clothing, preferably with wool as the most inner cairn to the next, it is best to wait by a cairn and layer, depending on the weather. Wool and fleece otherwise try to keep warm are best because they keep the body warm even Turn back if there is something wrong. There is if the clothes become wet. The outer layer of no shame in not finishing the hike clothing could be a windproof and, if possible, Be well dressed, preferably in several layers of a waterproof jacket clothing. The weather can suddenly change In very steep areas, it is not recommended to wear clothes made of nylon because the clothes Maps can be slippery. If possible, remove the nylon The maps that are referred to in the fact boxes are jacket until you have passed the steepest area the topographic maps (topographical 1: 20.000) A mobile phone can come in handy. Remember from the Danish Kort og Matrikelstyrelsen, 1991. to charge the battery and maybe bring a power bank (extra charge) on long trips. Note that there Digital Maps is no telephone connection on some stretches Contact local Tourist Informations for digital maps in the outfield (GPX) of routes for iPhone and Android. Head lamp, compass and whistle can be useful in an emergency or if you are surprised by fog/ Public transport darkness See travel plans for buses and ferries on www.ssl. Always bring food, drink and something sweet fo or contact the Tourist Information in the relevant also for short trips area. A map of the route is an important part of your gear Emergency Number Dial 112 for any type of emergency assistance OFF WE GO anywhere in the country. Notify your host about where you plan on hiking. Please let them know when you have arrived at the destination Always walk with others Do not be afraid to ask locals or experienced ENJOY! Hiking in the Faroe Islands | 5 1 Villingardalsfjall Experience the beautiful mountain scenery in the north and enjoy one of the Faroe Islands’ most beautiful villages from above 6 | Hiking in the Faroe Islands FACTS Duration: About three to four hours Distance: About six km Difficulty:Moderate. The walk up is fairly diffi cult, and in the last part of the route there are many rocks and cliffs Maximum height: 841 m The route starts at Við Garð in the northern part Children: Not suitable for small children under of Viðareiði. Go up the road and out through the gate seven to eight years to the outfield.