Viking Footsteps

There are few wild, unspoilt and least explored corners of Europe than this far-flung group of 18 islands. The Faroes lie in the middle of the North Atlantic with sheer black cliffs, sea stacks, rugged mountains and fjords that contrast with the picturesque villages

There are few places as wild and unspoilt as the Faroes - one of the least explored corners of Europe. This far-flung group of 18 islands lies in the middle of the North Atlantic, halfway between Scotland and Iceland. The ocean dominates the Faroese landscape with its 700 miles of coastline; at no time are you more than three miles from the sea. Sheer black cliffs and sea stacks, rugged mountains and fjords contrast with picturesque villages of colourful houses, hayfields and drifts of golden marsh marigolds.

The landscape is built up in layers that have sunk on one side and been raised on the other. The cliffs are the edges of these great layers of basalt, which were deposited by the volcanoes of the ocean bed in the Tertiary period. The total population is 45,000 of whom 16,000 live in the capital of Tórshavn. Outside of Tórshavn are small villages with colourfully painted houses and people going about their daily life as they have done for generations.

During this holiday you cover a great diverse area, including the islands of Nolsoy in the east, Mykines in the west and Kalsoy in the far north. You will also stay two nights in Tórshavn.
You will enjoy the awe-inspiring scenery, the unique alpine flora, the prolific birdlife and the lack of commercialisation. The summer sunsets late at this latitude of 62º North, enabling us to extend our activities late into the evening.

Highlights

  • Enjoy the warm Faroese hospitality
  • Dramatic coastal scenery
  • Visit stunning island of Mykenis
  • A perfect mix of walking, culture and history

At a Glance

From £2,150 per person
Single room: a limited number of single rooms available for £250

Direct flights to the Faroe Islands are with Atlantic Airways from Edinburgh. The price for a return flight is approx £200
Please contact us for more details

Grade
Moderate
AccommodationFour accommodations. Mixture of quality hotels & guesthouses
Duration8 Days
LocationFaroe Islands
StartMeet at Vagar (airport) TBC (connects to flight from Edinburgh TBC)
FinishFinish at Vagar (airport) TBC
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Route Map


View Faroes Footsteps in a larger map

Book your Trip

At a Glance

From £2,150 per person
Single room: a limited number of single rooms available for £250

Direct flights to the Faroe Islands are with Atlantic Airways from Edinburgh. The price for a return flight is approx £200
Please contact us for more details

Grade
Moderate
AccommodationFour accommodations. Mixture of quality hotels & guesthouses
Duration8 Days
LocationFaroe Islands
StartMeet at Vagar (airport) TBC (connects to flight from Edinburgh TBC)
FinishFinish at Vagar (airport) TBC

Itinerary

Monday (Day 1) Vágar

The holiday starts on Monday evening at Vágar Airport around 20.50 (This connects to the flight from Edinburgh). Our Guesthouse in nearby Sorvagur offers a warm welcome.

Tuesday (Day 2) Mykenis & Gjógv

Today we take the ferry to Mykenis, the most westerly island of the Faroes. It was considered by the adventurous seafaring monk St Brendan to be the mysterious paradise of Birds; the puffin is the foremost resident here. We walk to the islet of Mykinesholmur via a spectacular footbridge to the lighthouse at the end of the cape. Back on the mainland, we will transfer to the village of Gjógv for dinner and overnight.
| 10km, 200m ascent | overnight Gjógv

Wednesday (Day 3) Gjógv

The village of Gjógv (meaning gorge) is located on the northeast tip of the island of Eysturoy and was named after a 200-metre (650 ft) long sea-filled gorge that runs north to sea from the village. The village has a timeless air and was first mentioned in 1584, but it seems to have existed long before then. The locals have long subsisted on fishing and selling the dried and salted fish. We walk from our accommodation around spectacular headlands above Gjógv to ultimately view Bugvin, the highest sea stack of the Faroes. The walk will immerse you in dramatic seascapes, wheeling seabirds and wildflowers en-route. Dinner and overnight in Gjógv.
| 12km, 440m ascent | overnight Gjógv 

Thursday (Day 4) Klaksvík

A short drive brings us to the village of Oyndafjørður. Here you can enjoy the stunning seascapes while walking the short (about 2 hours) historic route to the village of Elduvík. After the walk, there will be a transfer to Klaksvík – the second largest town of the Faroe Islands – on the island of Borðoy. Klaksvík is now a bustling fishing town with one of the finest natural harbours in the country. It also boasts a grand church which exhibits the Faroese flair for contemporary architecture and design. Lunch is served at our overnight accommodation; the Seamen’s Home (or now called Klaksvík Hotel). After lunch, there is an optional 3-hour walk up and down Klakkur (1354 feet). The views from this highest point towards the rugged islands below are breathtaking. Dinner is served at a local restaurant.
| 9km, 300m ascent | overnight Klaksvík

Friday (Day 5) Klaksvík

We start the day with a short ferry crossing to the island of Kalsoy, also named ‘the flute’ by the islanders due to a series of tunnels linking the remote villages. We walk out from the small village of Trøllanes (population about 20) situated at the most northerly tip of the island. The aim is Kallur lighthouse with stunning views and an approach through meadows filled with snipe and other ground-nesting birds.

You will have the afternoon free in Klaksvík. After dinner, we have a sightseeing tour to the island of Kunoy, with its fantastic corries, and then on through narrow tunnels to Viðareiði, the most northern village of the Faroes. The church has a collection of silverware gifted by the British Government in thanks for the hospitality of the people towards a group of shipwrecked sailors in 1847.
| 6km, 300m ascent | overnight Klaksvík

Saturday (Day 6) Nólsoy & Tórshavn

After breakfast, we transfer to Tórshavn, the capital of the Faroes. From here we will take the ferry to the lovely island of Nólsoy, located to the east of the capital. The island is the lowest of the Faroes Isles and has the largest colony of Storm Petrels. We will explore the north part of the island, before taking the ferry back to the mainland for our overnight stay. Dinner will be served at our hotel in Tórshavn.
| 12km, 200m ascent | overnight Tórshavn

Sunday (Day 7) Tórshavn

This morning there will be a short transfer to Vestmanna. From here we take a 2½ hour boat trip to the magnificent Vestmanna Bird Cliffs. We sail up the west coast of Streymoy to towering cliffs and sea stacks that teem with seabirds; fulmars, kittiwakes, guillemots, razorbills and puffins. When the seas are calm enough the boat will pass through some beautiful sea caves. After the boat trip, we transfer to Sornfelli. From here a local guide will be accompanying us for the beautiful wild walk to Norðradalur (3 – 4 hours). Dinner and overnight in Tórshavn.
| 10km, 100m ascent, 600m descent | overnight Tórshavn                   

Monday (Day 8)

Tórshavn is a charming tumble of streets with clusters of turf-roofed houses and the capital of the Faroe Islands (population of 19,000). The city was founded in the 10th century and may well be the oldest capital in Northern Europe. After an early breakfast, we will have a guided walk around the old part of town on the small headland of Tinganes. This was where the early settlers first set up the Alting (parliament) in 825. After the guided walk a transfer is arranged to Vagar airport to catch the early afternoon flight (back to the UK).


What's Included

Included:

  • 7 nights bed and breakfast in comfortable hotels and lovely guesthouses
  • 6 x dinners (Tuesday to Sunday)
  • A light meal of sandwiches coffee/tea on arrival day (Monday)
  • 6 days (packed) lunches (Tuesday to Sunday)
  • Guiding throughout the week with an experienced NWF walking leader
  • All road transport during the week (transfers will be with private coaches)
  • Ferries to Mykenis, Kalsoy and Nolsoy
  • Vestmanna Bird Cliffs (boat)
  • 2 hour guided walk around the old part of Torshavn

Excluded:

  • Drinks, including tea, coffee, soft drinks or alcoholic beverages
  • Travel to and from Vagar (Faroe Islands)

Book your Viking Footsteps