Discover Skálavík

You can get to know Skálavík by hiking Skálhøvdi and exploring the village’s cultural sites and traditions. The mountain is considered a landmark of Skálavík. The church, a pipe organ, driftwood carvings, a memorial and an annual dance represent different aspects of the village.

Hiking at Skálhøvdi

The Skálavík–Skálhøvdi–Skálavík hike starts at the eastern end of the lower road, Sótabakki, and leads to the sheepfold on the south side of the bay. On the hike, the path climbs from Fiskavarðin to the rock shelter Barnhús. The route is described as suitable for children aged six and older. Before setting off, check local signs and conditions so you can take account of the route and any restrictions on site.

Skálhøvdi is 203 metres high. In clear weather, Húsavík, Lítla Dímun, Beinisvørð, Sandoy and the northern islands can be seen from the summit. Bear in mind that visibility depends on the weather if the view is important to your plans. For safety reasons, hikers should not leave the flat area around the cairn at the summit. Follow local signs and conditions there.

The cairn Fiskavarðin stands on a headland along the hike. Traditionally, it was associated with good luck when fishing: if no fish were caught, people would throw stones into it. This means the spot is shaped not only by its location, but also by a local tradition.

Church, culture and traditions

Skálavík’s church stands on Lógvheyggi. The pipe organ in Skálavík is considered the oldest in the Faroe Islands. Tróndur á Trøð carved the twelve apostles and two reliefs from driftwood for the church. The organ and carvings represent different forms of cultural expression: music on the one hand, and visual art made from driftwood on the other.

A memorial in front of the church commemorates Kristian Osvald Viderø, who was a priest and author. Alongside the music and carvings, the memory of a specific person is another distinct cultural point of interest.

Another cultural event is the annual Epiphany dance organised by the youth association Keldan. It is hosted by the local dance groups Stígum Fast, Leikum Fagurt and Dansigaman. If the dance is important to your travel plans, check the exact event date in advance.

When looking for a hotel in Skálavík, you can plan your travel dates around what matters most: for the summit trail, take the weather and visibility into account; for the Epiphany dance, the date is key.

Coffee and views of the waves

At Café á Mølini in Skálavík, visitors can enjoy coffee and watch the waves rolling in from the east. Check whether the café is currently open before visiting. This makes it easy to include this stop, with its unique combination of coffee and sea views, in your travel plans.

For a broader travel overview: Sandoy.