Less visited than many of the central islands, the Northern Islands of the Faroe Islands offer some of the archipelago’s most dramatic and remote scenery. This small group of six islands is characterised by towering mountains, deep valleys and sheer cliffs plunging into the Atlantic Ocean, creating a powerful sense of wilderness and isolation. With fewer visitors, the Northern Islands are ideal for travellers seeking exceptional hiking, striking landscapes and an authentic insight into rural Faroese life.
Borðoy is the hub of the region and home to Klaksvík, the Faroe Islands’ second-largest town. Most journeys to the Northern Islands begin here, as Borðoy is linked to Eysturoy by an undersea tunnel and serves as a convenient base for exploration. Nearby Kunoy is known for its dramatic terrain and is home to six of the highest mountains in the archipelago, while Viðoy, the northernmost island, is small in size but offers some of the most spectacular scenery, including sweeping coastal views and steep sea cliffs.
Kalsoy is one of the most iconic islands in the Faroes, famed for its artisans and traditional crafts, as well as the hike to Kallur Lighthouse. This short but exhilarating walk rewards visitors with panoramic views across five neighbouring islands and is one of the most memorable viewpoints in the archipelago. Kalsoy is also home to the Kópakonan, or Seal Woman, statue in the village of Mikladalur, which tells one of the Faroe Islands’ best-known legends. Svínoy offers a contrasting landscape of open pastoral land, unusually fertile for the Faroes, while tiny Fugloy is the most remote of all, prized for its dramatic cliffs, birdlife and sense of complete seclusion.
Borðoy, Kunoy and Viðoy are connected by causeways, while Kalsoy, Svínoy and Fugloy are accessed by ferry or helicopter, adding to their feeling of remoteness and adventure.
Read more about The Northern Islands