Europe

[Visited: October 2021]

That morning, I was taking time to explore Eldovík and Funningur, before hiking up the cliffs near Gjógv and the Slaetteratindur, the highest mountain of Faroe Islands. For a long time, I had the impression that I had all the time in the world. Until I lost a lot of time climbing Slaetteratindur. Even when I start hiking from Saksun, with its protected bay, big waterfalls coming down the mountain slopes, and lovely grass-top church, I think I will make it to reach Tjørnuvík and back before sunset, three hours later. The steep and muddy trail up the mountain has me searching for the right direction several times. The going gets better when I hike from cairn to cairn, until I lose the trail again. This is not the way to go up fast and gain time over the expected climbing time.
When I finally reach the top of the pass between the two villages, I realise that I will never make it before sunset. Going back to my car from Tjørnuvik is very uncertain: both villages are very small and I cannot count on a friendly Faroese to take me. I take the decision to turn back, which feels like defeat, which feels like giving up, and which I never do. Walking and sliding down the mountain, I have the certainty that I will be down before darkness falls. This is not a landscape where you want to be caught in the night. At the same time, it feels like failure, and I decide to come back the next morning to do the hike from the other side. But seeing the condition of the trail, I must admit that my decision to turn around was the only wise one, especially given the fact that I don't even have a torch with me.
It turns out to be a great decision when I wake up with the only cloudless sky I would see during my entire stay. I quickly drive to Tjørnuvík which is still in the shade of the steep mountains. I climb the muddy trail up to the ridge, passing several waterfalls on the way, until I reach the same ridge I have turned around the day before. I sit down to watch the scenery on both sides. The meandering Gellingará stream going down towards Saksun, the yellow parches on the ground. the black and white sheep roaming the wild countryside. I need all my layers here, as the strong wind makes it exceptionally cold. On my way down, the sun is still shining and the ultimate reward for coming back are the views of rugged landscapes all around, basking in the sun. A little further down, I see Risin and Kellingin, two rock pillars rising from the sea on the other side of the bay. The last bonus is an aerial view of the charming village of Tjórnuvík.

Around the World in 80 Clicks

Personal travel impressions both in words and images from Saksun Tjørnuvik Hike (Faroe Islands). Clicking on the pictures enlarges them and enables you to send the picture as a free e-card or download it for personal use, for instance, on your weblog. Or click on the map above to visit more places close to Saksun Tjørnuvik Hike.
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Saksun Tjørnuvik Hike > Faroe Islands > Europe

[Visited: October 2021]

Around the World in 80 Clicks

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