Viðoy in the Faroe Islands: loop around the northernmost island

Viðoy is the northernmost island of the Faroe Islands and really does feel a bit like the end of the road. You drive from Klaksvík to Viðareiði, the northernmost village of the islands, and along the way you get exactly what you hope to see here: mountains, sea, quiet roads, viewpoints and sheep that do not care much about your schedule.

We made a loop around Viðoy on a sunny day. No long hike, no packed day programme, but a lovely route past viewpoints, the starting point of the Villingardalsfjall hike, the church of Viðareiði and Leitisgarður, a surprisingly fun little open-air farm. Especially in clear weather, this is a very beautiful trip from Klaksvík.

In this blog, I will tell you how we drove our loop around Viðoy, which stops are worth it and why you can already get a great impression of the northernmost island of the Faroe Islands in 2 to 2.5 hours.

Where is Viðoy located?

Viðoy is located in the north of the Faroe Islands, above Klaksvík. The island belongs to the northern islands and is easy to reach by car from Klaksvík. That makes it a logical trip if you are staying there.

The main village on Viðoy is Viðareiði. This is the northernmost village in the Faroe Islands and it is beautifully located between high mountains and the sea. You do not come here for shops, crowds or major attractions, but mainly for the location and the views.

We stayed in Klaksvík ourselves. From there, Viðoy is very easy to do as a short route. You do not need to set aside a whole day for it, unless you want to do the tough hike to Villingardalsfjall or continue towards Enniberg.

Our route around Viðoy in short

We drove the loop around Viðoy clockwise. Through the fairly new tunnel, you first arrive at a beautiful viewpoint and then continue towards Viðareiði. In the end, you can drive back via the old route along the cliffs towards the start of the tunnel.

Our stops were:

• Viðareiði Viewpoint: short stop with views of mountains and sea.
• Villingardalsfjall / Enniberg hike starting point: beautiful view, but we did not do the tough hike.
• Western outlook of Viðareiði: view near the church and rocks by the sea.
• Leitisgarður: a small open-air farm with animals and Faroese houses.
• The old route along the cliff: narrow, beautiful and with enough passing places.

All in all, we spent about 2 to 2.5 hours here. That included stops, looking around and a visit to Leitisgarður. So it is a perfect little loop if you want to fill a half day from Klaksvík.

Viðareiði Viewpoint: short stop, big view

If you drive through the tunnel and explore the island clockwise, you first pass Viðareiði Viewpoint. This is not a stop where you need to stay for long, but it is one where you do want to get out of the car for a moment.

You look out over a beautiful mountain landscape and also see an island in the water. Especially on a sunny or clear day, this is a lovely first impression of Viðoy. Luckily, the weather was on our side, and then you immediately see why this island is worth the detour.

As is often the case in the Faroe Islands: it does not have to be big or complicated. Park for a few minutes, get out, take a photo and continue. That is really all you need here.

Villingardalsfjall and Enniberg hike starting point

After that, we drove on to Viðareiði, towards the starting point of the Villingardalsfjall and Enniberg hike. There is a small car park at the top. From that parking spot, you already have a fantastic view over the village, the mountains and the sea.

If the upper car park is full, you can also park near the school and walk up. That is what we did. Not because we were going to do the full hike, but because it still gave us a little hiking feeling and our baby could sleep nicely in the carrier at the same time.

The actual hike to Villingardalsfjall is said to be tough. You climb quite a bit and higher up the path becomes more technical and rocky. It is also clearly indicated that you have to pay 200 Danish kroner per person if you want to do this hike.

We did not do the hike ourselves. And honestly: that felt like the right choice. The view at the starting point is already beautiful, and for a long, technical walk you really need motivation, time, good weather and strong legs. If you want to continue towards Enniberg, I would definitely research properly what is sensible. That is not a walk you just casually add on.

Viðareiði itself: beautifully located between mountains and sea

Viðareiði is small, but its location is very strong. The village lies between the mountains and the sea, with views on all sides. From the car park near the school, we walked back to the car and then drove on to the little church. At the church, you get a completely different view of the sea. You can also get a little closer to the rocks here and look down towards the water.

No long walk, no crowds, but a quiet place to look around for a moment. Especially in clear weather, the combination of church, rocks, sea and mountains is very beautiful.

Western outlook of Viðareiði

The western viewpoint near Viðareiði is a good addition to the other stops. Here, you see another side of the village and the coast. That is exactly why it is nice not to stop at just one viewpoint, but to really do the full little loop.

From this side, you get a beautiful view over the sea and the rocky coastline. You do not need to stay here for a long time, but if you are on Viðoy anyway, I would definitely include this stop.

Leitisgarður: surprisingly fun stop with children

After the viewpoints, we drove on to Leitisgarður. And we found this a really fun surprise. It is a kind of small open-air farm, with animals and recreated Faroese houses.

You can see ducks, geese, lambs, a little goat, pigeons and more animals here. For children, this is of course really fun, but as adults we also thought it was a nice stop. It is small-scale, quiet and just a little different from yet another viewpoint.

Our little one of course also enjoyed seeing the animals. After days full of driving routes, mountains and viewpoints, a place with animals is actually an ideal change. Especially if you are travelling with children, I would not skip Leitisgarður.

What makes it extra nice is that it does not feel like a big tourist attraction. It feels more like a charming local stop that someone has clearly put care into. Small houses, animals, an open-air feeling and still that rugged Viðoy landscape all around.

Back via the old route along the cliff

After Leitisgarður, you can drive back via the old route. That road partly runs along the cliff and is a single-lane road in some sections. Luckily, there are enough passing places for oncoming traffic.

We thought this was a beautiful way to finish the loop. You get some extra views and eventually end up back near the beginning of the tunnel. That way, you do not have to drive back exactly the same way and it really feels like a small loop around the island.

Do drive slowly. The road is not difficult, but on narrow sections you simply want to take your time. Especially if an oncoming car or sheep suddenly appears.

A quick trip to Kunoy?

On the way back, we also made a short loop around Kunoy. You get there through a special single-lane tunnel. That alone is already a separate experience.

Apart from that, we did not find Kunoy the most special stop compared with everything else we had already seen in the Faroe Islands. Nice to add if you have time anyway, but I would put Viðoy itself higher on your list if you have to choose.

Combining Viðoy with Klaksvík and Klakkur

Viðoy is very easy to combine with Klaksvík. We stayed in Klaksvík ourselves and drove to the island easily from there. Because of that, Viðoy does not feel like a big day trip, but more like a nice loop for a morning, afternoon or early evening.

Do you still have energy and good visibility? Then you can combine Viðoy with the Klakkur hike near Klaksvík. That walk gives you a beautiful view over Klaksvík, Kalsoy, Kunoy and the fjords. We just would not plan this too tightly, because in good weather you also want to take your time at the top of Klakkur.

If you do both in one day, I would do Klakkur when visibility is good and Viðoy afterwards as a calmer route. The other way around also works, especially if you have beautiful afternoon or evening light on Viðareiði.

Where to stay near Viðoy

For Viðoy, Klaksvík is the most logical base. We stayed there ourselves in a boathouse and found it ideal for this northern part of the Faroe Islands. You are close to Viðoy, Klakkur and the other northern islands, but still have facilities nearby.

Klaksvík is one of the larger towns in the Faroe Islands. Do not expect a buzzing city, but you will find shops, accommodation, a harbour and enough convenience for a few nights in the north.

Do you also want to stay in this area? Then check accommodation in Klaksvík via Booking. Especially if you want to combine Viðoy and Klakkur, this is a convenient place to stay.

How much time do you need for Viðoy?

For a loop around Viðoy without a long hike, I would count on about 2 to 2.5 hours. That gives you time for the viewpoints, the starting point of the Villingardalsfjall hike, the church, Leitisgarður and the old route along the cliff.

If you want to do the hike to Villingardalsfjall, that is a completely different story. Then you need much more time and have to take into account a tough walk, a hiking fee and the weather.

For us, the loop without the hike was exactly right. Beautiful, varied and not too demanding. Especially on a sunny day, Viðoy is a really nice addition to your stay in Klaksvík.

Practical tips for Viðoy

• Drive the loop clockwise. That way, you first pass the viewpoint and can return via the old route along the cliff.
• Include the old route. It is narrow, but beautiful and easy enough with passing places.
• Park near the school if the hike car park is full. From there, you can walk up to the starting point.
• Do not just squeeze in Villingardalsfjall casually. The hike is tough, costs 200 DKK per person and requires good weather.
• Stop at Leitisgarður with children. The animals and small houses make this a fun change.
• Combine it with Klaksvík. Viðoy is easy and quick to reach from there.
• Go in clear weather. Viðoy is mainly about the views, and then you do want to be able to see something.

Viðoy: a small loop to the far north

Viðoy is not an island where you need a full day if you are not doing a hike. But if you are staying in Klaksvík, I would definitely make a loop there. You drive to the northernmost village in the Faroe Islands and see rugged mountains, viewpoints, sea and a surprisingly fun farm stop at Leitisgarður.

We especially liked the combination. First beautiful views, then a short walk near the hike starting point, then the church and rocks at Viðareiði, and finally watching animals at Leitisgarður. It is a calm, varied little loop that fits perfectly into a day in the north.

Do you have clear weather and are you already in Klaksvík? Then Viðoy is absolutely a lovely detour. Not big or busy, but that is exactly what makes it feel so Faroese.