Best Trails for Epic Views, Puffins, and Coastal Adventures on the Faroe Islands
If the Faroe Islands are on your radar, hiking should be at the top of your itinerary. When we first started planning our trip, we knew this wasn’t going to be a beach vacation; it would be about dramatic cliffs, unpredictable weather, and trails that take your breath away in more ways than one. As we laced up our boots and set out, every hike reminded us why the Faroes are a paradise for outdoor lovers. Puffin colonies, cozy turf-roofed villages, sea views that stretch forever, each trail felt like stepping into a storybook.
Here are the top hikes in the Faroe Islands you shouldn’t miss, complete with our own experiences and tips on how to prepare for them.
- 1. Kallur Lighthouse Hike (Kalsoy Island)
- 2. Trælanípa & Bøsdalafossur (Vágar Island)
- 3. Tjørnuvík to Saksun Coastal Hike (Streymoy)
- 4. Gjógv & Ambadalur Valley (Eysturoy Island)
- 5. Kirkjubøur: Exploring the Oldest Village in the Faroe Islands (Streymoy Island)
- 6. Eiði to Eiðiskollur Hike (Eysturoy)
- 7. Viðareiði to Enniberg Hike (Viðoy Island)
- 8. Mykines Puffin Hike (Mykines Island)
1. Kallur Lighthouse Hike (Kalsoy Island)
If there’s one hike that defines the Faroe Islands, it’s this one. The trail to Kallur Lighthouse on Kalsoy Island is short but unforgettable. Cliffs drop steeply into the ocean, puffins circle above in summer, and the little white lighthouse feels like it’s holding the whole island together. We hiked this on a day when the weather was perfect, with a blue sky and no clouds; it was magical.
- Why go: Iconic panoramic views, cliffs that plunge into the sea, and a lighthouse that looks straight out of a postcard.
- Distance: ~3.5 km round trip
- Time: 2–3 hours
- Why we loved it: It was the perfect mix of adventure and reward. The trail is easy enough to follow but still feels wild, and reaching the lighthouse with the dramatic cliffs all around was one of those pinch-me moments.
- More details: We wrote a whole post with tips, ferry info, and photos here → Hiking to Kallur Lighthouse on Kalsoy Island
2. Trælanípa & Bøsdalafossur (Vágar Island)
This hike gave us one of those “is this even real?” moments. The path takes you to Trælanípa, the cliff where Lake Sørvágsvatn appears to hover high above the ocean; a mind-bending optical illusion you’ll only believe when you see it. Continue a little further and you’ll reach Bøsdalafossur, a waterfall crashing straight into the Atlantic. It was our first hike on the Faroe Islands, and it set the bar high. After this, we knew this would be an epic trip.
- Why go: Iconic lake above the ocean and cliffs that plunge into the sea.
- Distance: ~7 km round trip
- Time: 2–3 hours
- Why we loved it: That surreal floating lake illusion and the raw power of the waterfall. And the Slave Cliffs that suddenly appear out of nowhere.
- More details: We put together a full guide with trail info and photos here → Bøsdalafossur Waterfall Hiking Guide: Where the Lake Meets the Sea
3. Tjørnuvík to Saksun Coastal Hike (Streymoy)
Our Faroe Islands adventure really began with Tjørnuvík. When we first saw photos of this little village nestled between mountains with its dramatic black-sand beach, we knew we had to go, and that’s what made us book our tickets to the Faroe Islands in the first place.
- Why go: This hike connects two of the most beautiful villages in the Faroes, offering rugged coastlines, sweeping views, and a fairytale finish in Saksun.
- Distance: ~7–8 km one way
- Time: 3–4 hours
- Why we loved it: Tjørnuvík was the spark that brought us to the Faroes.
- More details: For a closer look at where our adventure began, check out our full post → Exploring Tjørnuvík in the Faroe Islands Travel Guide
4. Gjógv & Ambadalur Valley (Eysturoy Island)
Gjógv was one of those villages we hadn’t initially planned to visit, but the weather on the Faroe Islands decided for us. Known for its charming turf-roofed houses and the natural gorge that gives the village its name, it felt like the perfect place to slow down and waddle around.
- Why go: A combination of Faroese village charm and coastal drama, with puffin spotting in summer and unforgettable cliffside views.
- Distance: ~4 km round trip
- Time: 1–2 hours
- Why we loved it: Gjógv felt like stepping into a storybook, and waddling through the valley to the ocean cliffs gave us both calm moments and wild, windy views.
- More details: We share the full story of our visit, plus tips for exploring the area, in our post → Waddling in Gjógv in the Faroe Islands
5. Kirkjubøur: Exploring the Oldest Village in the Faroe Islands (Streymoy Island)
No trip to the Faroes feels complete without stepping back in time at Kirkjubøur, the islands’ oldest village. Just a short drive from Tórshavn, this tiny settlement is home to medieval ruins, a legendary 900-year-old farmhouse still lived in today, and sweeping views across the sea to the island of Hestur. Wandering around Kirkjubøur feels less like sightseeing and more like time travel. For us, it was one of those quiet but powerful stops, where history and nature blend seamlessly.
- Why go: To explore the Faroes’ cultural heart, with medieval ruins, historic buildings, and breathtaking sea views in one small village.
- Distance: Easy waddle around the village and coastal path
- Time: 1–2 hours
- Why we loved it: It was the perfect mix of history and scenery. From ancient stone walls to the ever-changing sky over the ocean, Kirkjubøur gave us a deeper connection to the islands beyond the hikes and cliffs.
- More details: You can read the full story of our visit in our post → Kirkjubøur: Exploring the Oldest Village in the Faroe Islands
6. Eiði to Eiðiskollur Hike (Eysturoy)
This was one hike we were really looking forward to. The promise of dramatic cliffs and the famous sea stacks, Risin og Kellingin (the Giant and the Witch), looming out of the ocean, had us hooked from the moment we planned our trip. Unfortunately, the Faroese weather had other plans. The clouds stayed low, the fog thickened, and we never got to see the sea stacks from the trail. Still, we don’t regret a step. Even without the grand view, this hike gave us a deeper sense of the landscape, its raw power, and the legends associated with it. In a way, it was one of our most educational hikes—reminding us that the Faroes aren’t about guarantees, but about embracing whatever the weather and nature decide to give you.
- Why go: To experience the wild cliffs above Eiði and, on a clear day, catch the best view of the sea stacks Risin og Kellingin.
- Distance: ~6 km round trip
- Time: 2–3 hours
- Why we loved it: Even though the weather hid the sea stacks, we still walked away with stories, lessons, and a greater appreciation for just how unpredictable—and humbling—these islands can be.
- More details: Check out our full guide with trail details and local legends here → How to Hike from Eiði Village to Eiðiskollur in the Faroe Islands
7. Viðareiði to Enniberg Hike (Viðoy Island)
This hike from Viðareiði, the northernmost village in the Faroes, up towards Enniberg, one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe. We were so excited about this one, but unfortunately, the weather didn’t allow us to go. The winds here can be fierce, and safety has to come first. Still, it remains one of the hikes we’d recommend to anyone who has the chance. On a clear day, the views are said to be unforgettable, stretching endlessly over the Atlantic.
- Why go: To experience one of the tallest sea cliffs in Europe and dramatic views from the Faroes’ northernmost point.
- Distance: ~7–8 km round trip (depending on route)
- Time: 3–4 hours
8. Mykines Puffin Hike (Mykines Island)
It is a famous trail on Mykines Island. The plan was to hike out to Mykineshólmur Lighthouse while spotting puffins nesting along the cliffs, which sounded like the ultimate Faroese experience. Unfortunately, the weather that week was rough and unpredictable, and the ferry to Mykines was cancelled several times. As much as we hoped to squeeze it in, it just wasn’t possible.
- Why go: Mykines is the puffin capital of the Faroes, with thousands of birds nesting on the cliffs in summer, plus the dramatic lighthouse perched at the far end of the island.
- Distance: ~7–8 km round trip
- Time: 3–4 hours
- Why we’d still recommend it: Even though we couldn’t go, this is one of the top experiences in the Faroes if the weather allows. The combination of puffins, cliffs, and the iconic lighthouse makes it an unforgettable day trip—just plan flexibly and keep an eye on ferry schedules.
- More details: We even did a deep dive into how to plan this hike, and you can read it all in our post → Waddling Towards Mykineshólmur Lighthouse
These were our top hikes in the Faroe Islands; some we were lucky enough to complete, others we only dreamed of because of the ever-changing weather. That’s part of the adventure here: the Faroes remind you that nature makes the rules. Still, every trail we hiked gave us unforgettable memories, from puffins circling above cliffs to villages that looked straight out of a fairytale.
We hope this guide helps you plan your own hiking adventure and makes your trip to the Faroe Islands just as magical as ours. Lace up your boots, pack for all seasons, and get ready for dramatic views at every turn. Have a wonderful time!
Pack your bag, put on your waterproof jackets, and waddle on!
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