Detailed 5 Night Itinerary For The Faroe Islands: Iconic Hikes, Waterfalls and Small Turf-Roofed Villages
The Faroe Islands is tucked between Iceland and Norway, this remote archipelago is perfect for travelers who love road trips, moody landscapes, and getting a little off the beaten path. We spent five nights in the Faroe Islands exploring by car and ferry, hiking in the midnight sun, exploring waterfalls, and embracing the slower pace that island life naturally brings. Below is the exact itinerary we followed when we visited from July 15- 20th, with realistic driving times, hiking details, and tips to help you plan your own Faroe Islands adventure. Visit this Faroe Islands Guide for more general information.
Day 1: Arrival in Vágar + Klakkur Hike
Drive Time: ~2.5 hours total
We flew into Vágar Airport (FAE), picked up our rental car right at the airport (quick and seamless), and drove about 45 minutes to Tórshavn, where we based ourselves for all 5 nights.
After settling into our Airbnb, we headed 50 minutes north to Klaksvík for our first hike: Klakkur Trail.
Klakkur Hike Details:
- Distance: 1.7 miles round trip
- Time: 1–1.5 hours total
- quickest access to this hike is if you park in the high parking lot at Halsur, to get here you must drive on the gravel road and it can be pretty steep. We ended up parking half way on the gravel road called “Astarbravt” which only added about 0.6 miles each way
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
We started around 7:30 PM thanks to the midnight sun and finished around 10 PM after admiring the views and taking lots of pictures. The sweeping fjord landscapes were the perfect introduction to hiking in the Faroe Islands.
On the drive back… we took a spontaneous gravel road detour and I somehow popped two tires 🙃 With no roadside assistance at midnight, an off-duty firefighter rescued us. We ended up at the local fire station chatting with the firefighters and eating cookies until 1 AM before getting a ride back to Tórshavn.
A chaotic but unforgettable welcome to the Faroes.
(I share more detailed trail info in my separate guide: 4 Must-Do Hikes in the Faroe Islands.)
Day 2: Slow Day in Tórshavn
With no rental car until the next day, we were forced into a slower pace—and honestly, it was perfect. After an 8-night campervan road trip in Iceland, we welcomed the downtime. We walked into town for food, explored Tórshavn on foot, and spent the rest of the day resting, watching Stranger Things, and catching up on sleep.
Day 3: Trælanípa + Múlafossur Waterfall
Drive Time: ~1 hour 45 minutes total
Our replacement rental car arrived, and we headed back out.
Trælanípa (The Floating Lake Hike)
Located near Miðvágur on Vágar Island.
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Distance: ~3.5 miles round trip
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Time: 2–3 hours total
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Difficulty: Easy to moderate
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Entrance Fee: 200 DKK (~$31)
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Trailhead amenities: Parking, restrooms, small hut with drinks/snacks
We started around 2 PM in fog and light rain, but the weather cleared beautifully — a reminder that Faroe Islands weather changes fast and is always worth the chance.
The optical illusion “floating lake” view over the Atlantic is one of the most iconic sights in the Faroe Islands.
Múlafossur Waterfall (Gásadalur)
Just 20 minutes away, this is one of the most photographed waterfalls in the Faroes. It’s a short walk from the parking lot and absolutely worth the stop. We spent about an hour here before heading back to Tórshavn.
Day 4: Saksun, Tjørnuvík & Gjógv Cliff Hike
Drive Time: ~3 hours 15 minutes total
This day was all about exploring small villages and dramatic coastlines.
Saksun
A tiny village known for its grass-roof houses and remote black sand lagoon. Population: 14.
We walked down to the beach and had it completely to ourselves. Waterfalls in the distance, sheep wandering nearby — it felt untouched. We stayed about 1.5 hours eating sandwiches and taking photos.
Tjørnuvík Beach
Another black sand beach with views of the sea stacks Risin & Kellingin. Quick stop, but beautiful.
Gjógv Cliff Trail (Ambadalur Trail/Puffin Trail)
The scenic mountain pass drive through Gjáarskarð alone is worth it.
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Distance: ~3 miles round trip (or longer depending how far you go)
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Time: 1.5–2 hours total
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Difficulty: Moderate
- Cost: there is a cash box for payment collection of 50-100 DKK
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Trail starts near Gjáarkaffi Café
We started around 5 PM and were done by 630 pm (we did not do the full hike, we hiked up and sat near the cliffs before heading back down) then headed back for dinner in Tórshavn to wrap up the day.
Day 5: Kalsoy Island & Kallur Lighthouse
Drive Time: ~2 hours 20 minutes total
Ferry Time: 20 minutes each way
Our final day was the big one: Kallur Lighthouse on Kalsoy Island.
Getting There:
- 50-minute drive from Tórshavn to Klaksvík then line up at the Ferjulega ferry terminal
- Ferry 56 to Syðradalur (fits only 12 cars — arrive early or leave the car in Klaksvik and take the ferry as a foot passenger)
- There are some pre-booking options for cars at SSL.FO
- Ferry 56 schedule + Bus 506 info: SSL.FO
We took the 9:00 AM ferry, drove through Kalsoy’s narrow one-lane tunnels to Trøllanes, and began the hike.
Kallur Lighthouse Hike:
- Distance: ~3 miles round trip
- Time: 2–2.5 hours (we stayed 4 hours total)
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
- Entrance Fee: 200 DKK ($31; payable by cash or card)
- For further details check out Kallur Lighthouse Hike
The dramatic cliffs surrounding the lighthouse are some of the most jaw-dropping views in the Faroe Islands. We took our time, had snacks at the top, and just soaked it all in.
After missing the 3:10 ferry (classic), we caught the 4:30 PM ferry back and enjoyed one final dinner in Tórshavn before flying to Oslo the next day.
In Summary
This Faroe Islands itinerary balances iconic hikes like Trælanípa and Kallur Lighthouse with slower village exploration in Saksun and Gjógv. Basing ourselves in Tórshavn made logistics easy, and summer’s long daylight hours gave us total flexibility.
Between cliffside trails, black sand beaches, waterfalls, and the kindness of locals (fire station cookies included), the Faroe Islands quickly became one of our favorite destinations.
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