Walking Routes from Árnafjørður

Walking is the main reason to come to Árnafjørður. The village on Borðoy has about 64 residents and no shop or cafe, but it sits at the foot of two routes described on the Visit Faroe Islands hiking pages, and both are rated difficult. There is no guided walking tour from the village itself.

Klaksvík to Árnafjørður

  • Distance: 5 km one way
  • Time: about 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Climb: 395 m, with a high point of 429 m
  • Rating: difficult

The route crosses the Áarskarð pass. Above the village the ground is steep and loose, and the descent on the Ovarustígar path is marked with cairns and reflector posts. You cross the Stórá river and fences that have no gates. A detour to Katlarnir is possible along the way. Because it is a one-way walk, sort out the return before you start: a second car, a lift from Klaksvík, or the bus if the ssl.fo timetable shows a stop. Route 500 is named on the official hike page as serving both ends, but the current timetable lists only Klaksvík, Hvannasund and Viðareiði, so check ssl.fo.

Árnafjørður to Katlarnir and back

  • Distance: 7 km round trip
  • Time: 2 hours 35 minutes on the official page; some walkers report about 4 hours
  • Climb: 653 m, with a high point of 516 m
  • Rating: difficult, not suitable for young children

The loop passes Toftaskarð at 466 m and Uppi á Gjógv. Katlarnir is the old Thing site, where the Thing stones remain. Plan on the longer time if you stop for photographs. Both hikes cross the Stórá river and fences with no gates.

The short walk

A short walk leads from the church down to the fjord head, along the boat houses and onto the small beach. It suits anyone, but there is no toilet, shop or cafe, so use Klaksvík first.

Guides and fees

These two routes carry no fee on the official pages. Fees apply on other northern hikes: Kallur Lighthouse on Kalsoy costs DKK 200 for adults and DKK 100 for ages 13 to 17, Villingadalsfjall from Viðareiði costs DKK 200 into the mailbox at the gate, and Enniberg needs a guide. The Faroese fee rules may change, so check Visit Faroe Islands hiking fees and hiking.fo. Visit Faroe Islands has listed a guided Klaksvík, Katlarnir and Árnafjørður hike, so ask the Klaksvík tourist information about guides.

Safety

  • Download a GPX track and use it. The paths cross open hillside.
  • Do not walk in fog (mjørki) or after dark. Fog arrives fast.
  • Stay on the cairned route and away from unfenced cliff edges.
  • Leave a route plan with your host and dial 112 in an emergency.
  • Pack water, food and a windproof layer, since there is nothing in the village.
  • On Sundays, do not park by the church between 11:00 and 12:00.

Read more: Sightseeing in Árnafjørður and Day trips .

Route page: Árnafjørður to Katlarnir on Visit Faroe Islands . Guided options are listed on Viator for Klaksvík hiking .