DAY 1
D included
Meeting in the late afternoon at Vagar airport on the eponymous island, we transfer to the nearby comfortable modern hotel, our base for 2 nights while exploring the western part of the archipelago. At this northerly latitude in midsummer, the sun sets for only a few hours and we can enjoy views of the surrounding dramatic landscape late into the night. Close by there will be sheep grazing on grass scattered with hundreds of Heath Spotted Orchids and it won’t be long before we spot our first oystercatcher.
DAY 2
B, L, D included
A 45 minutes’ ferry ride takes us beyond the uninhabited island of Tindolmur (with 262 m sheer cliffs) to Mykines, the Faroes’ most westerly island. En route, we begin our observation of fulmars, puffins and gannets in large numbers. From the harbour, surrounded by cliffs full of kittiwake nests, we walk up to the small, picturesque village, the only settlement on the island, with bright-coloured timber houses and turf roofs. Our circular walk leads us above the village and along high sea cliffs, with puffins everywhere; we have to tread carefully to avoid stepping into one of their many burrows.
DAY 3
B, L, D included
In the morning we walk along the shore of the Sorvagsvatn Lake and observe its waterfall to the sea, some 30 m below (2.5 hrs. round trip). In the nearby small museum, we learn the history of the ‘friendly occupation’ of the Faroe Islands by Britain during WW2 before driving to the remote hillside village of Saksun on Streymoy Island (1 hr). The 19C stone church set dramatically above a lagoon and black sand beach is the starting point of our exhilarating walk to Tjornuvik (weather-permitting, 3.5 hrs, 700 m ascent and descent). Our final destination today is Gjogv in northern Eysturoy and our welcoming guesthouse built in traditional Faroese style.
DAY 4
B, L, D included
After breakfast, we drive around the base of Slaettaratindur, the highest peak of the Faroe Islands. Our walk begins in the village of Eidi and climbs to the summit of Eidiskollur, (340 m). The path is steep in places, but our efforts are rewarded by spectacular views of the sea cliffs and the Risin and Kellengin sea stacks. After a simple picnic lunch, we travel towards the island of Bordoy. En route we will take a short and scenic coastal walk towards Leirvik and will visit the remains of a 10C Viking farm. An undersea tunnel brings us to Klaksvik, the second largest town in the archipelago. Our comfortable hotel overlooks the harbour.
DAY 5
B, L, D included
Our walk this morning follows the shoreline and, across the channel on Kunoy island. We see the abandoned village of Skard, a silent witness of a 1913 tragedy in which most of the male inhabitants of the village were lost in a vicious storm while fishing. After lunch in a popular bakery in town, we visit the impressive Christianskirkjan (Christian Church) built in the 1960s in ancient Nordic style. Later, we have the option to walk to the top of Klakkur mountain (413 m) for panoramic views of the town below, wedged between two bays and the surrounding islands.
DAY 6
B, L, D included
Back on Streymoy, we walk for 2 hrs in an area with several water reservoirs, used for generating hydroelectricity, before descending into Vestmanna, a busy fishing town - by Faroese standards. We hear some blood-curdling stories from early Faroese history in the Saga Museum before we enjoy a classic fish soup for lunch. The highlight of our visit is the 2-hour boat trip to the bird cliffs and grottoes. The cliffs, which rise spectacularly hundreds of metres straight from the sea, provide nesting places for many birds including guillemots and razorbills. Afterwards, we transfer to the capital Torshavn, where we stay for 2 nights in a central 4 star family-run hotel with an excellent restaurant.
DAY 7
B, L, D included
We drive to Kirkjubor, the country’s most important historic site, centred on the unfinished 13C Magnus Cathedral. Our 2.5 hr walk takes us (250 m) over a ridge back to Torshavn where we have a café lunch in the lively harbour. We spend much of the afternoon in the Historical Museum viewing its wide-ranging collection. Our farewell dinner is representative of the New Nordic Cuisine, perhaps Braised Faroese Lamb followed by stewed rhubarb pudding with whipped cream.
DAY 8
B included
Our journey concludes with a short transfer to the airport.
The above itinerary may be adapted according to group fitness and local weather conditions: the final choice of walks, based on group comfort and security, rests with the tour leader.