Árnafjørður with Children
Árnafjørður is a tiny fjord village with a small beach and no playground, toilets or shop, so a family visit is short and works best as part of a day based in Klaksvík, about 10 minutes away by car. This page covers what suits children and what does not.
At the fjord head
A short stroll takes you along the shore past a row of boat houses to a small beach at the head of the fjord. Children can look for boats and watch the water, which is North Atlantic cold all year, so treat it as somewhere to paddle at most in a warm moment and keep a close eye on small ones. The Stórá river runs through the village beside the white church. Parking is by the church and by the tunnels. There is no public toilet, so use the facilities in Klaksvík before you drive out.
On Sundays, leave the church parking free from 11:00 to 12:00 during services.
The fjord viewpoint
The roadside pull-off between the Árnafjarðartunnilin and the Hvannasundstunnilin, which are about 500 m apart, has the best view of the fjord. It is a good photo stop, but it sits beside a road, so keep children close to the car.
Hiking with children
The walk from Klaksvík to Árnafjørður is 5 km one way, takes about 1 hour 45 minutes and climbs 395 m. It is partly child-friendly and is recommended for children over 8 who walk with adults. The ground above the village is steep and loose, and the route crosses the Stórá river and fences with no gates. Plan how you will get back to the start before you set out, because it is a one-way route.
The Katlarnir loop from the village is not suitable for young children. It runs 7 km, climbs 653 m, reaches 516 m and is rated difficult. Families who want a longer walk should choose another day or leave the loop to adults.
Klaksvík for wet or tired children
The swimming hall in Klaksvík has a 25 m pool, a water slide, a child-friendly area and a wellness area. Check opening hours before you go. It is the easiest way to fill an afternoon if the weather turns.
Kalsoy and the Kópakonan statue
The route 56 ferry from Klaksvík to Syðradalur on Kalsoy takes about 20 minutes. At Mikladalur on the island you can see the Kópakonan statue. The ferry is small and carries about 12 cars, so book ahead and check ssl.fo for fares and times. The Kallur Lighthouse hike on Kalsoy costs DKK 200 for adults and DKK 100 for ages 13 to 17, and children under 13 go free.
Safety with young children
- Fog and wind arrive fast. Turn back if the cloud drops.
- Cliff edges are unfenced.
- Sheep roam on unfenced roads, so drive slowly.
- Dial 112 in an emergency.
Read more: Walking tours around Árnafjørður and Day trips from Klaksvík .
Hike details: Klaksvík to Árnafjørður on Visit Faroe Islands . Family tours can be searched on GetYourGuide for Klaksvík .