Hiking is a great way to experience the beautiful nature. You’ll find that once you get into the nature on foot, the mountains and valleys will open for you in marvellous and unexpected ways.

One of the many special features of the Faroe Islands is that you don’t have to go far to experience magnificent and untouched nature. Look around you. Take a few steps. Take a deep breath and listen. It’s all right there!

Hiking on your own

We recommend joining a guided hike for safety, local knowledge, and stories — but self-guided hikes are also possible with thorough planning. Always read and follow the Guide to Safe Hiking.

Remember, there are no public wilderness areas in the Faroe Islands. You must stay on the old village paths to protect nature, sheep, and wildlife. Respect the land and minimize disturbance by keeping to marked trails.

Restrictions

Furthermore there are a few areas where there are restrictions, such as a mandatory fee and/or mandatory guide to access the areas. Please follow the respective links below for more information.

Read more about

Hiking Routes in Our Area

Hiking on your own

We always recommend going with a guide, both to be safe and know where you walk, and also for the local knowledge and storytelling, but you can also choose to hike by yourself. This however, does require thorough planning and consideration in advance. First of all, we highly recommend you to thoroughly read the guide to safe hiking, and to follow this guide carefully.

You should be aware that there are no public wildernesses or common areas in the Faroe Islands. This means that by Faroese legislation, you are not allowed to wander wherever you like in the wilderness of the Faroe Islands. Hence, you are only allowed hike on the old village paths.

A care for the nature and the sheep and wildlife that lives on the uncultivated area is essential. These areas are first and foremost the feeding and breeding fields for sheep, other animals and wildlife in general. It is therefore very important that traveling on this area is on the paths and organized to minimize the disturbing of sheep, wildlife and nature as much as possible.

Hiking routes

If you prefer to hike by yourself you can read online or download a hiking guide with various routes here. 

GPX

There is also a list of selected hiking routes in Vágar to be found here showing villagepaths including GPX maps for downloads. These cover the routes:

Miðvágur to Vatnsoyrar, Oyrargjógv to Sørvágur, Sørvágur to Slættanes, Bøur to Gásadalur, Sandavágur to Slættanes and Gásadalur, Gásadalur to Víkar.

Sustainability

By walking and staying on the paths, you can enjoy the beautiful nature, and do so responsibly and sustainably; meaning that you disturb the nature, wildlife and sheep as little as possible. You also ensure that future generations of locals and travellers have the same opportunity to enjoy the wonderful nature as you did – that is a good goal, is it not?