Hvithamar Hike (also known as the Gongturur Hiking route) in the Faroe Islands is the textbook definition of a high reward, low effort hike. The views are absolutely stunning the entire way!! It is a must see for everyone visiting, no matter the time of year.
What makes the Hvithamar Viewpoint so special?
What makes Hvithamar so special is how easy it is to reach! With the first viewpoint only an easy 10 minute walk you really can’t miss this amazing spot!
It is also worth noting that this hike is also one of the few in the Faroe Islands that is perfect for children!
Hvithamar Hike Quick Facts:
- Where: Eysturoy Island, Faroe Islands (10 minutes from Gjogv)
- Trailhead: Gjáarskarð mountain pass | Google Maps
- Distance: 1.24 mi or 2 km out-and-back
- Difficulty: Easy
- Time: 60 minutes (round trip)
- Elevation Gain: 400 ft or 124 m
- Cost: Free
- Kid friendly: Yes!
- Other names: Gongturur Hike, Skeggjanøv hike
- Where to Stay in Gjógv: Gjaargardur Guesthouse Gjogv
Hvithamar Hike Location
Located between the villages of Funningur and Gjogv in the Gjáarskarð mountain pass, this entire area is just breathtaking!
It is just a 10 minute drive from the village of Gjogv so I highly recommend combining this hike with a trip to Gjogv.
The best way to get there is by car. We rented from this company because they were the cheapest. Thankfully we had no complaints or issues renting from them.
Trailhead Parking
You will park at the Gjáarskarð mountain pass.
When you get there you will ask yourself, is this the right place? Because it won’t look like it. There are no signs to let anyone know that this is where the hike begins. For a second I wondered if I was going to get a ticket for parking on the side of the road.
The trailhead parking is just an area off the side of the road. I was the only one there the day I did the hike.
Hvithamar/Gongturur Hike: What to Expect
The Hvithamar Hike consists of two viewpoints. The Hvíthamar ridge viewpoint and the Skeggjanøv viewpoint. Both are worth hiking to.
Hvíthamar ridge viewpoint
It only takes about a 10 minute walk (all flat) to the first viewpoint the Hvíthamar ridge viewpoint.
You will know you have reached the viewpoint when you find a metal railing, which literally might have saved my life.
While I was taking in the views the strongest gust of wind I had ever felt came out of no where. Had the railing not been there I probably would have been blown off the edge.
The weather was rough the day I did this hike. Rain, hail and wind non-stop all day.
Be prepared to walk through a swampy, muddy mess, especially if it has recently rained.
Skeggjanøv viewpoint
It will take you 20 minutes from the trailhead parking to the to the Skeggjanøv viewpoint and only 10 extra minutes from the Hvíthamar ridge viewpoint.
It is mostly uphill and with the strong winds and rain it was kinda brutal the day I did it. Even if the weather is bad, I still recommend heading up the hill to this viewpoint. It’s worth the 10 minutes of extra effort.
Hvíthamar – Skeggjanøv hike
Tips for getting to the Hvithamar Viewpoint
The mud is next level (Swampy)
There’s muddy, then there’s Faroe Islands muddy. What do I mean by that? I mean you take a step in the mud and your foot sinks down to your ankle. It’s like walking through the swamp especially if it has just rained.
You will be pretty miserable if you don’t have a good pair of waterproof boots.
Beware of the wind here
The entire Faroe Islands is windy, there’s no getting around that. But in this spot in particular the wind was absolutely INSANE.
There were signs all along the hike warning you to not underestimate the winds here.
The gusts were so strong I was unable to stand numerous times. Had I been close to the edge I absolutely would have blown right off.
When the wind gets too strong to stand drop to your knees and wait for it to pass.
Outdoor Photographer Gear I use
Camera for photos: Sony A7iv
Camera for videos: Sony A7siii (I use this one for photos as well.)
Travel backpack: Wandrd PRVKE 31 liter