Streymoy: Boat Trips, Hiking Trails and History

Coastal boat trips

A boat trip to Vestmannabjørgini takes you through deep caves and narrow straits. Along the way, 700-metre-high cliffs rise from the sea. Boat trips to Vestmannabjørgini and its caves are considered popular in the Faroe Islands; this assessment may change over time. The boat tour takes approximately two hours. As the seasonal schedule may change, check it before making your plans.

Trails through valleys and along rivers

A popular hiking trail connects Tjørnuvík and Saksun. The route from Saksun to Vestmanna begins halfway through Saksunardalur and crosses the Klovsá River, where the remains of an old bridge can be found. It runs below Ørvisfelli, the second-highest mountain on Streymoy, and over the Oksagilshálsur pass. From the upper slopes of the Oksagilsbrekka hill, you can look down into Saksunardalur and south towards the strait between Streymoy and Eysturoy.

There is also a cycling route from Oyrarbakki to Saksun through Saksunardalur. The Hvalvík–Leynavatn hiking trail begins at the mission house in Hvalvík. As this starting point may change, check the current route in advance. Columnar basalt can be seen in the river along the trail above the Djúpagil gorge. A village path in Hvalvík follows the river downhill into the village.

Kirkjubøur and its history

In Kirkjubøur, farmhouses, a church and cathedral ruins tell the story of different periods in the village’s history. Roykstovan is a farmhouse and museum dating back around 900 years, and is considered to be the oldest inhabited wooden house. Ólavskirkja was built in 1111 and served for centuries as the main church of the Faroe Islands. The Stokkastovurnar are old farmhouses from around 1350, built on the ruins of the former bishop’s residence. Cultural influences from the Nordic countries and Europe reached Faroese society through Kirkjubø.

The medieval Magnus Cathedral in Kirkjubø was built in the 14th century and served as a major centre of power for several centuries. Its remains, locally known as Kirkjubømúrurin, form a preserved medieval setting that visitors can enter. They are part of a bishop’s residence that existed from the early 12th century until its dissolution in 1557.

Another glimpse into public history is offered by the stone speaking platform at Reynsmúlalág. From the 19th century until the 1960s, it was used for open-air public meetings.

The Faroe Islands as a travel destination

The Faroe Islands travel destination comprises 18 islands in the North Atlantic. On Kalsoy, Kallurin Lighthouse stands at the northern tip of the island. A 17-kilometre road with four tunnels connects the ferry terminal in Syðradalur with Trøllanes in the north of Kalsoy. The hike from Trøllanes to Kallurin is considered moderately difficult; the return trip is usually said to take one and a half to two hours. The difficulty and duration may vary depending on conditions.

Another route in the wider travel destination runs for seven kilometres from Funningur to Eiði, below the Faroe Islands’ highest peaks. It offers views whose visibility depends on conditions. These examples give an impression of the variety of trails in the Faroe Islands travel destination, while the sections on boat trips, hiking and Kirkjubøur focus specifically on highlights on Streymoy.

Discover more destinations: Hoyvík, Vestmanna, Kollafjørður, Vágar, Eysturoy, Sandoy, Faroe Islands.

For the main travel overview: Faroe Islands.