With so many jaw-dropping villages scattered across the Faroe Islands, it’s hard for any one of them to stand out. Somehow, Viðareiði manages it anyway.
Perched at the very northern tip of the islands on a narrow strip of land with sea on both sides, it feels like it’s floating between two oceans.
It’s located on the island of Viðoy and holds the title of northernmost village in the Faroe Islands — which should tell you just how far from the world it feels.
You don’t really see it until you’re standing in the village itself — then suddenly there’s this almost perfectly triangular mountain looming right over the rooftops. That’s Malinsfjall (750m), sitting just south of the village and facing off against Villingadalsfjall to the north.
The best views of it actually come from partway up the Villingadalsfjall hike, looking back down over the town. I had no idea what it was called at the time, but it’s impossible to miss.
Everything about this place is epic. You’re surrounded by some of the most dramatically shaped cliffs I’ve seen anywhere on the islands, and it’s easily one of my favorite spots in the whole country.
Viðoy translates to “Wood Island” and is known for its jagged cliffs and towering peaks — including Villingadalsfjall, the third-highest mountain in the Faroe Islands at 841 meters. On a clear day, the summit views stretch out to Kunoy, Kalsoy, and further into the northern Faroes. Dress in layers — the weather up here turns fast.
Hiking Villingadalsfjall
The most popular hike in Viðareiði is up Villingadalsfjall, the third-highest mountain in the Faroe Islands. What I loved most about this hike — besides the incredible views of the town and surrounding mountains — was that you didn’t need to reach the summit to fully enjoy it.
I only made it about a third to halfway up the mountain, and honestly, the views from there were more than enough to leave me feeling completely satisfied.
Hike Overview:
- Distance: Approximately 5-6 km (3-4 miles) round trip.
- Duration: 3-4 hours, depending on your pace and weather conditions.
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate to challenging, with steep sections and uneven terrain. (Difficulty varies depending on how far you go towards the summit.)
- Cost: 200 DKK, payable in cash at the start of the hike (drop the money in the provided mailbox)
- Elevation Gain: 841 meters (2,759 feet) to the summit.
- Parking: Available right at the trailhead in Viðareiði
The Church at Viðareiði
The church’s location is the real standout — right at the foot of Malinsfjall, mountains on every side, water just steps away.
Getting to Viðareiði
This was, hands down, the furthest I drove anywhere in the Faroe Islands. It’s about an hour from Tórshavn, and the drive itself feels like its own little adventure — you wind through what feels like ten different mountains to get there, ducking in and out of tunnels the whole way. (I’ve got a full breakdown of what to expect driving here in my driving in the Faroe Islands guide.)
When I visited in 2024, one of the tunnels on the way was still under construction, so I had to take the old single-lane tunnel instead — which meant waiting at a stoplight for oncoming traffic to clear before it was my turn to go through. Good news if you’re planning your own trip: that tunnel has since opened (December 2024), so you’ll get the full two-lane version and a faster drive than I had.
From Klaksvík, Viðareiði is only about a 20-minute drive, so I’d highly recommend pairing the two on the same day if you’re making the trip north — it fits in well if you’re following my 5-day Faroe Islands itinerary.
We did exactly that — hiked the Klakkur Mountain Ridge in Klaksvík, which has panoramic views over the town and surrounding northern islands, then drove up to do the Villingadalsfjall hike in Viðoy the same day. We lucked out with great weather for both.