Oyrarbakki – Saksun

You haven’t got any favourites yet

This is where you can collect inspiration, articles, events and places that interest you.

Click the icon on pages and they’ll appear here.

Inspiration & Articles

Events & Tours

Places

Hiking

Search Search results

INSPIRATION & ARTICLES

EVENTS & HIKES

Places

Array
Array
Array
Array
Array

Oyrarbakki – Saksun

the scenic route takes you through a stunning 10K valley with breathtaking landscapes.

This scenic route takes you through a stunning 10 km valley, passing Saksunarvatn and ending at Saksun Church. The village of Saksun, located on the northern side of Streymoy, is known for its unique landscape and historical sites. Highlights include the preserved farm Dúvugarður, the highest mountain on Streymoy, Koppenni, and the tidal lagoon Pollurin. Saksun offers beautiful views and a glimpse into Faroese farming history.

Route facts

Difficulty level: Bike tour for moderately experienced cyclists (level 3)

Max incline: 10.5%

Distance: 14 km

Duration: 1 hour

Max altitude: 216 m

Elevation gain: 134 m

Description of the route

The ride starts at the Magn station in Oyrarbakki. From there, you cross the only bridge crossing the Atlantic Ocean and follow the main road through the villages of Streymnes and Hvalvík. The journey continues through the beautiful valley of Saksunardalur.

Saksun is an old village on the northern side of Streymoy, known for its unique landscape. The historic farm Dúvugarður is still active, though its old residential buildings have been preserved as a museum, offering a glimpse into Faroese farm life of past centuries. Nearby stands Koppenni, the highest mountain on Streymoy, and at high tide, small boats can enter the tidal lagoon of Pollurin. The road to Saksun passes through Saksunardalur, a lush valley with rich vegetation.

Saksun

Splendidly set in a natural circular amphitheatre high above a tidal lagoon

Streymoy

Dúvugarðar

Dúvugarðar - Saksun Heritage Farm

Streymoy

Pollurin

a tidal lagoon

Streymoy

The Whaling station at Áir

The last remaining preserved Whaling station in the Northern Hemisphere

Streymoy

The striking landscape of Saksun attracts many visitors, featuring the 10 km-long Saksunardalur, the lake Saksunarvatn, known for its trout and salmon, and Dúvugarður, preserved in its original form. People lived here until 1978; today, the farmhouse is a fascinating museum. Saksun is breathtaking not only in summer, when many tourists visit but also throughout the year.

Alternative Routes & Inspiration

A detour to the Whaling Station at Áir is worth considering. Built by Norwegians in 1905, the station was active until 1984, when the last whale was processed there. The site, including buildings and machinery, remains intact, and efforts are underway to develop it into a maritime heritage museum.

The whaling station opened to the public in 2011, attracting around 500 visitors. Today, it is one of only three remaining Norwegian-built whaling stations in the world—the others are in Albany, Australia, and South Georgia in the South Atlantic.

Fun fact

2013, a dramatic event occurred when four sperm whales swam into the fjord near Sundalagið. Two were stranded and died, and one was towed to Áir. When marine biologist Bjarni Mikkelsen examined the carcass, it suddenly burst, sending internal organs flying—a moment captured on film by Kringvarp Føroya and widely shared online. The whale’s skeleton was later prepared for display at the whaling station.

Elevation profile

The route features an initial climb to 100 meters, a brief descent, and rolling hills. The highest point at 120 meters occurs around the 8 km mark, followed by a gradual descent with minor elevation changes.

Child-friendly?

Suitable for children under 15 years.

Road conditions

Well-paved asphalt road throughout.

Special Note

Bringing refreshments like water and a snack is a good idea for the journey. As traffic can be high at certain times of the day, it's best to aim for low-traffic time slots and parts of the year for a more peaceful experience. This route is also perfect for those wishing to bring their bike—take bus 400 from Farstøðin in Tórshavn or Klaksvík and enjoy a scenic ride back.