GUIDE TO SAFE HIKING

We highly recommend that you read the guide to safe hiking guide before going hiking in the Faroe Islands.

The ‘safe travel’ leaflet provides essential information about how to travel in the Faroe Islands. On the back page, you can fill out the information about where you plan to hike and when you expect to return. Leave the leaflet under your car's windshield or at your accommodation. That way, someone can notify relevant authorities should you not have returned by the time you have stated. The leaflet can be downloaded or picked up at regional information centres, car hires, on the Smyril Line ferry, and at Vágar Airport, among other places.

Please also read or download the hiking guide online here.

PATHS AND ROUTES

Most of the paths described in the hiking guide are old village paths. Before the roads came, you would travel between the villages using these paths, e.g. to trade, to visit family, to a Thing (local assembly) or to church. Village paths were also used when the coffins of the dead were carried to the nearest church. The paths are marked with ancient cairns, a heap of stones set up as a landmark showing the way so you don’t get lost. Some routes are not along the old village paths.

These are along ancient footpaths that have been tread through the ages, such as on the mountains Slættaratindur, Bøsdalafossur and Klakkur. The routes are listed in geographical order from north to south. The cairns are in good condition and are well-maintained in most places. The cairns can be complex in some areas, while the path is visible. On some routes, the direction of the path is marked with poles sticking out of the ground. There are, however, a few places without cairns, clear paths or poles. For these places, we have described other features, such as masts, buildings, inclination of the land and gorges, that will guide you in the right direction.

DURATION AND DIFFICULTY

The difficulty level is assessed based on how steep the terrain is, if the surface is flat or uneven, and how long the route is. It can be challenging to put a precise age on a path for children, as all children are different. For example, an eight-year-old in good shape can easily cover a seven-kilometre journey, while a 12-year-old in lousy shape can find the same trip difficult. An adult must consider the child’s physical shape and previous hiking experiences before deciding whether to allow them to join.

 

RESPECT NATURE

  • Nature is fragile. It should be treated well and protected for future generations.
  • Follow the cairns or other marks, and do not go off the paths into the meadow or outfield.
  • Close the outfield gates behind you.
  • Treat the cairns, fences and walls well.
  • Do not disturb the sheep, birds and plants.
  • Picking plants or taking stones, eggs, or chicks is prohibited.
  • It is customary to pick up loose wool that the sheep have shed.
  • Do not leave rubbish behind.
  • Beware of not walking into marshland, as it can be profound.
  • Dogs must not be taken into the outfields.
  • Travelling by bicycle or motor vehicle in the outfields or along the cairn paths is prohibited.

Take nothing but pictures
Kill nothing but time
Leave nothing but footprints
Make nothing but memories

CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT

  • Always wear clothes suitable for the weather. However, as the weather in the Faroe Islands can change suddenly, it’s a good idea to bring extra clothes even during the summer. A cap and gloves are also recommended.
  • Many places in the outfield are rocky and wet. Walking shoes or boots with rough bottoms are recommended, and rubber boots with rough bottoms can also be used. Remember, shoes and boots need to be walked in. Do not go on a long hike in brand-new footwear.
  • We recommend you wear several thin layers of clothing, preferably with wool as the inner layer, depending on the weather. Wool and fleece are best because they keep the body warm even if the clothes become wet. The outer layer of clothing could be windproof and, if possible, a waterproof jacket.
  • It is not recommended to wear nylon clothes in very steep areas because they can be slippery. Remove the nylon jacket only after you have passed the steepest area.
  • A mobile phone can come in handy. Remember to charge the battery and maybe bring a power bank (extra charge) on long trips. Note that there is no telephone connection on some stretches in the outfield.
  • A headlamp, compass, and whistle can be useful in an emergency or if you are surprised by fog or darkness.
  • Always bring food, drink and something sweet – also for short trips
  • A map of the route is an essential part of your gear
  • Remember to fill out our Safe Travel leaflet and leave it in your car or accommodation place before hiking. The leaflet can be picked up at hotels, regional information centres, Vágar Airpot and ferry harbour, among other places

Luckily, the Faroe Islands have a long-standing tradition of knitting and producing sustainable garments with local materials. Therefore, you can find warm and colourful woollen pieces for your stay. Read more in the link below.

OFF WE GO

  • Notify your host about where you plan to hike. A helpful leaflet can be downloaded or picked up at regional information centres, car hires, the Smyril Line ferry, and Vágar Airport, among other places. Please let them know when you have arrived at the destination.
  • Always walk with others.
  • Do not hesitate to ask locals or experienced people for directions, weather or other advice.
  • Areas with loose stones and rocks are particularly slippery in dry terrain. Be careful when hiking in groups, as loose stones can harm hikers below you.
  • Do not go too close to the cliffs, especially in wet areas with slippery ground. Be very careful with children.

WEATHER DEPENDENT

  • Check the weather forecast to see if conditions are favourable for walking
  • Do not leave if there is fog or if it is dark outside – Be prepared for the fact that meteorologists can be wrong or that the weather can suddenly change after you have left
  • If you are surprised by unexpected fog on a trip, it is vital to keep to the cairns. If the fog is so dense that you cannot see from one cairn to the next, it is best to wait by a cairn and otherwise try to keep warm
  • Turn back if there is something wrong. There is no shame in not finishing the hike
  • Be well dressed, preferably in several layers of clothing. The weather can suddenly change

HIKING RESTRICTIONS

A few hiking routes in the Faroe Islands have implemented restrictions regarding access to the area and now require payment for walking in that location. Please check if the route you are planning on hiking requires you to book a local guide or pay a fee. An overview of these locations can be found here.

HARE-HUNTING SEASON

Please note that the hare-hunting season runs annually from 2 Nov to 31 December. Most people choose to hunt hares on Saturdays, but it is their right to hunt all days except Sunday. Hunting takes place in the mountains all across the country.

For your safety, we advise you not to hike during this season. In any case, please get in touch with the landowner if you wish to go hiking. The regional information centre in the respected area can provide these contacts.

DIGITAL MAPS

Under each hike's description, you can find digital maps (GPX) of routes for iPhone and Android.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

See travel plans for buses and ferries at www.ssl.fo or contact the Regional Information Centre in the relevant area.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Dial 112 for any type of emergency assistance anywhere in the country.