In early June 2016, I spent a week exploring the incredible Faroe Islands, which has to be one of the most unique and stunningly beautiful places in the world. I have never seen anything like it. It was sunny and dry for the entire week I was there, which is a miracle according to the locals, as it is often foggy and wet. The Faroes are a cluster of many islands of different shapes and sizes, with dramatic sea cliffs, mountains and thousands of sea birds. The sheer size of some of the sea cliffs, like Vestmanna Bird Cliffs, blew my mind. My pictures don’t do them justice, you have to check it out for yourself.
I was lucky to be there during the nesting season of many seabirds, including puffins, which I have always wanted to see. They are so damn cute!
Itinerary
Day 1: Boat trip from Sorvagur to the island of Mykines. Hike through puffin colony to the lighthouse.
Day 2: Hike on the hills around the lake Leitisvatn on Vagar.
Day 3: Hike up Slaetarratindur, the highest mountain in the Faroes.
Day 4: Boat trip to the Vestmanna Bird Cliffs. Visit to the Vestmanna museum.
Day 5: Day hike above Klaksvik. Late evening boat trip around Kunoy.
Day 6: Hike up a mountain near Vidareidi.
Day 7: Flight out to Edinburgh, Scotland.
I flew into the Faroes late at night but fortunately the village of Sorvagur was only a short walk from the airport. This is the view at midnight. The next day, I visited Mykines, the island silhouetted in the distance.
On a boat trip to Mykines, looking back to the massive sea cliffs of Vagar
Awesome sea stacks on the way to Mykines
Ocean waves make some great sculptures.
On the way to Mykines, looking back to Vagar.
The rugged cliffs of Mykines
The rugged coast of Mykines
There are lots of sheep in the Faroes! A kiwi would feel at home.
My first puffin!
Beautiful Mykines, looking back towards Vagar.
The trail to the lighthouse on Mykines.
A sketchy section of the trail on Mykines
So many puffins, so little time…
The lighthouse on Mykines
Looking back towards Mykines.
How do you top off an already great hike…add a seal colony at the end.
View from Mykines
The harbour on Mykines
On the right is Leitisvatn, a large lake perched above the ocean
An impressive sea cliff near Leitisvatn
A hut on Leitisvatn
The south coast of Vagar
The outlet of Leitisvatn
View from the campsite in Sandavagur on Vagar
Klaksvik
Ready to head off on a late night zodiac trip to see some enormous sea cliffs. It was amazing!
Kunoy
Kunoy
A statue of a selkie, outside of the village of Trollanes
The north coast of Eysturoy
View from the summit of Slaetarratindur
View from the summit of Slaetarratindur
View from the summit of Slaetarratindur
View from the summit of Slaetarratindur
View from the summit of Slaetarratindur
A ridge on the way up to Slaetarratindur
View from the summit of Slaetarratindur
Interesting looking rocks on the way up to Slaetarratindur
View from the summit of Slaetarratindur
Coastal scenery near Eidi, seen on the way down from Slaetarratindur
Village of Eidi, Eysturoy
Coastal scenery near Eidi
Coastal cliffs near Eidi
Koltur at dusk
Vestmanna Bird Cliffs
Vestmanna Bird Cliffs
Vestmanna Bird Cliffs
Vestmanna Bird Cliffs
Vestmanna Bird Cliffs
On a boat trip to view the incredible Vestmanna Bird Cliffs. My pictures cannot capture the imposing size and magnificence of them.
Vestmanna Bird Cliffs
View of Kunoy, from above Klaksvik
View from a mountain above Vidareidi
Looking down from a mountain above the village of Vidareidi
Sea cliff near Vidareidi
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