One of our main reasons for visiting the Faroe Islands was the chance to explore the amazing landscapes of the archipelago on some of the many hiking trails. One of the first hikes we did on the Islands, was the one from the capital Tórshavn to the historic village of Kirkjubøur, and we found it to be a great introduction to the landscape and culture of the area.
The hike is rather easy, but still offers some amazing views, plus you’ll pass a few interesting sites along the way, including a historical open air meeting place. Kirkjubøur itself is one of the prettiest villages on the islands, so this hike definitely is about the destination, as well as the journey. Read on for everything you need to know about the Tórshavn-Kirkjubøur hike.
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How Long Is the Hike?
The hike is about 6km or 4mi. long. With some shorter stops along the way, it took us about 2 hours.
What to Bring?
As always on the Faroe Islands, the weather can change very quickly, so it’s best to dress in layers with a rain jacket on top. The grass along the way can get rather tall, and even if it hasn’t been raining, will likely be wet due to fog and dew, so make sure your hiking shoes are well impregnated.
While it’s not a super long hike, also make sure to bring enough water and snacks. There are no cafés or shops in Kirkjubøur, so you won’t be able to buy anything until you’re back in Tórshavn.
How to Get to the Trailhead
The hike starts at Gamli Velbastaðvegur at the western end of Tórshavn (Near the road turn-off for Kirkjubøur. You can either hike there from central Tórshavn or use Line 2 of the free red city buses and get off at Akranesgøta stop.
How to Get From Kirkjubøur Back to Tórshavn
Tórshavn’s free red city buses also make trips to Kirkjubøur. From Monday to Friday, you can take Line 5, on Saturday Line 7 to get back to Tórshavn. You can check the current timetables here. At the moment, there’s no Sunday service, so your only option would be to hike back the way you came.
Description of the Tórshavn-Kirkjubøur Hike
The hike starts at the western outskirts of Tórshavn at Gamli Velbastaðvegur. Turn south-west at the western end of the road near the intersection with the Kirkjubøur Road.
The path runs through some pastures, crosses the small Sandá River, which is surrounded by pretty Marsh Marigolds and passes a solitary farm, before starting to climb into the hills.
This is the only part in which the hike ascends noticeably, and it’s still a rather gentle climb. In any case, you’ll have to watch your step, as the ground is super rocky in this area.
You’ll likely meet a few of the ubiquitous sheep, as well as some of the Faroes more common wader birds. We spotted plenty of Oystercatchers and Whimbrels during the hike.
Also, don’t be discouraged if the conditions are foggy, as the weather can change very quickly hereabouts. When we started our hike, the hills were shrouded in clouds, but pretty soon they opened up and once we crossed the ridge to the western side, great views of the southwestern Streymoy coast opened up.
At some point, the trail splits, and you’ll have to stick to the left and climb up the ridge, instead of going around it. About 45 minutes after starting the hike, you’ll reach Reynsmúlalág, a small hollow in the hills, which was used as a gathering place for political meetings from the 19th century to the 1960s.
One of the few traces of this is a raised stone platform, from which speakers used to address the crowd. When we were there, the small vale with its two tiny lakes was atmospherically shrouded in fog and eerily quiet, but walking around we realized that the acoustics of the place are phenomenal, so choosing it as a meeting site makes a lot of sense.
The trail continues south, running parallel to the coast and offering great views towards Sandur Island to the South, as well as the small islets of Hestur and Koltur to the West. You’ll continue along a clear path marked with lots of cairns, which passes a few sheep gates before slowly descending into Kirkjubøur.
We found Kirkjubøur to be one of the most interesting places on the Faroes, so make sure to take your time exploring the village’s historical attractions, including the impressive ruin of the St. Magnus Cathedral and the historic wooden Kirkjubøargarður Farm House, before hopping on a bus back to Tórshavn.
Accommodation in Kirkjubøur
At the time of writing, there is only one place to stay in the village: The well-rated, but rather pricey, Nordic Serenity. If you’re on a budget (like we were), it’s better to make your way back to Tórshavn, where you could stay at the student dormitories of the university, which are rented out to tourists during the summer break (62N Guesthouse Marknagil).
See Also
The Perfect One-Week Itinerary for the Faroe Islands
Backpacking the Faroe Islands on a Budget – The Ultimate Guide