Eysturoy
The only bridge over the Atlantic it is sometimes called, and it spans the narrow channel of Sundini to connect Eysturoy with the larger island of Streymoy.
Because the channel is so narrow, spectacular eddies form at the base of the bridge when the current is running strong with the tide. This spectacular introduction to the island quickly pales however, as the traveller explores all the unique features and vistas of Eysturoy.
Eysturoy, for example, boasts the tallest mountain in the Faroes. The towering Slættaratindur soars 882 metres, yet the summit is easily reached along the eastern ridge. The view is absolutely breathtaking as it takes in all the Faroes from the northern reaches of Viðoy to the fringes of Suðuroy in the south.
The road passing under this mountain connects two of the quaintest villages in the Faroes. The village of Eiði sits astride a narrow flat isthmus and the view from the hotel in Eiði down the fjord with Slættaratindur in the distance is magnificent. There is an excellent heritage museum, Látrið, in Eiði which is a renovated farmhouse that features many curiosities from the old days in the Faroes.
Gjógv lies at the other end of the mountain road. Many travellers succumb to its idyllic scenery with its sea-filled gorge and spend all their holiday time here exploring the countryside. The guesthouse, Gjáargarður, is well equipped and worth visiting. Hiking over the hills to Ambadalur northwest of Gjógv will yield a wonderful vista out over the sea stack called Búgvin. At 188 metres it is the tallest sea stack in the Faroes.
The descent to the old Viking village of Funningur and the tour along the deep fjord of Funningsfjørður to Elduvík with its clustering houses protecting each other are an impressive experience of the variety of Faroese scenery and habitation.
The area around Oyndarfjørður is wonderful hiking country, but its secret attraction actually lies beneath the sea. Rinkusteinar, or the rocking stones, are two huge boulders just beyond the shore near the village. As the sea ebbs and flows around them, the Rinkusteinar rock gently back and forth. Why these huge stones rock in the sea remains a mystery, but legend has it that an old sorceress in Oyndarfjørður cast a spell on two threatening pirate ships, turning them into boulders which were to stand restless by the water’s edge, rocking forever. In the middle of the village you will find the lovely church, one of the finest churches from the 19th century with an excellent altarpiece by the Danish painter Eckersberg.
Fuglafjørður is the fourth largest town in the Faroes. The harbour is colourful and extremely busy, but following the old path to Hellur up to the cairn on the top of the pass, you will soon regain your peace of mind. The tourist information office will give you advice about overnight accommodation and tours. Just south of Fuglafjørður is a warm spring called Varmakelda. Its water is believed to be curative and in midsummer people from all over the Faroes gather to celebrate the summer solstice here.
Beyond the warm spring and through the mountain tunnel, lies the village of Leirvík. The view from Leirvík of Kalsoy and the other islands in the north is spectacular. Recent archeological excavations have revealed the remnants of a 1000-year-old Viking farm at Toftanes in Leirvík.
The three villages of Syðrugøta, Gøtugjógv, and Norðragøta comprise the area of Gøta located at the head of the broad fjord, Gøtuvík. This historic area was the home of the famous Viking chieftain, Tróndur í Gøtu, who was considered to be a very clever and crafty man. He defended the old Viking ways against the desire of the Norwegian king and Faroese chief Sigmundur Brestisson to convert the Faroese to Christianity. Ruins of his farm are found in Gøta and the museum Blásastova provides insight into the culture and way of life in the Faroes in past centuries.
A spinning mill, Tøting, is located in Syðrugøta and its cosy coffee shop and display area affords a pleasant opportunity to shop for your favourite sweater. Of course you can visit their factory and shop, open.
The villages surrounding the long and wellprotected fjord of Skálafjørður are slowly growing together to become one of the most important urban areas in the Faroes. At the eastern end of the fjord you will find the village of Nes with its old wooden church and its historical vicarage.
Det nyopførte kulturhus, Mentanarhúsið í Runavík, er ramme omkring både lokale og internationale konferencer, koncerter, teater, kulturaftener m.m. You should visit Eysturoyar Heimavirki at Saltangará and the museum, Forni, at Glyvur and the local tourist information office at Runavík will help you with all practical information about accommodation and tours.
In the hills above Toftir is the football stadium, constructed especially for international football competitions. Beyond the stadium further up in the hills is the beautiful lake, Toftavatn, surrounded by a unique heather area. A walk around the lake takes two hours or so and makes for a very pleasant outing. The view from on top affords a good view towards Tórshavn and the surrounding countryside.
The village of Strendur is located on the tip of land at the entrance to the fjord. In this very fertile farming area there is a spinning mill, Snældan, which features knitwear made of Faroese wool. Strendur has a community house. The souvenirs of Árni Ziska, stone cutter, made of Faroese stones are displayed in the house. Here special Faroese evenings are arranged for tourists during the summer. Up the western coast from Strendur is the little village of Selatrað with good tourist facilities. The scouts’ camping ground is open to the tourists for overnight stays and for outdoor activities. Traditional Faroese rowboats are available.
The churches in Eysturoy are worth visiting. Five of the beautiful ancient wooden churches are preserved and the modern churches of Fuglafjørður, Gøta and Toftir are of high architectural interest.
SUMMER FESTIVALS AND EVENTS
Eysturoy also has its fair share of summer festivals, such as Eystanstevna, Fjarðastevna and Varmakelda, held in the middle of June and the beginning of July. As with all the other festivals around the country, the festivities make their mark on the towns with flags, music, speeches and finely dressed people. There are concerts and sporting events including boat races, which are a part of the annual competition to find the Faroese rowing champions. The Tróndardagar is held in Gøta in the middle of July. This festival celebrates the mighty chieftain, Tróndur. I Skálabotnur afholdes Fjarðafestivalurin, årlig gospel festival.
EXCURSIONS
HIKING
The two tourist offices in Eysturoy have several guided hikes on their programme. For instance:
Slættaratindur: On this tour we climb the highest mountain in the Faroe
Islands, Slættaratindur (882 m). From the top we have a fantastic view
of all the Faroes.
The refuge Uppi á Húsi: In Fuglafjørður there is a refuge in the
mountain west of the village. In the old days, a small house was built
here for people to hide in when pirates ravaged the village. Many
exciting stories are told on this trip.
The old road over the mountain from Leirvík to Norðragøta: The hike
starts at the Viking settlement of Leirvík and continues over the
mountain to Norðragøta. The trip ends in the old part of town in
Norðragøta, where coffee will be served at GlyvrHanusar Hús.
Lamba – Rituvík: This mountain hike starts off in the idealistic
village of Lamba, continuing up the mountain, and then follows the
cairns to the village of Rituvík. The guide will provide entertainment
with the authentic story of the ship Norske Løve. Dried fish will be
served in a sheephouse on the mountain.
Rundt Toftavatn: Tag med på en guided tur rundt om søen
Toftavatn. Turen starter på den gamle præstegård fra 1863. Derefter
besøger vi den gamle trækirke fra 1843 og Fríðrikskirkjan fra 1994. Vi
fortsætter til Toftir Stadion og over de lyngklædte bakker og rundt om
den idylliske indsø Toftavatn.
Skarð: The tour along the cairn path up to the mountain pass
Skarð, between Fuglafjørður and Hellurnar, and further on up to the
vantage point above is a magnificent experience.
Nevið: Experience nature while walking among sheep and taking a
closer look at the birds’ breeding-grounds. Enjoy the vista from the
mountain Gásafelli. On the way, we pass an old sheephouse where a meal
can be ordered.
If you prefer to go on your own, the booklet The Faroes on foot is
available. This booklet will tell you how to manage, which way to go
and what is worth seeing as you pass by. The booklet is for sale at the
tourist offices.
SIGHTSEEING
Spændende bustur hvor vi besøger fiskeauktionen i Toftir og Navia med
færøske strikvarer. Derefter besøger vi den gamle præstegård, hvor vi
bl.a. ser gamle fiske- og uldredskaber. Turen afsluttes med et lettere
måltid. Turen kan også opleves med egen transport.
FAROESE EVENING
Faroese evening with traditional food and culture. Please contact the tourist information in Eysturoy.
BUSTURE
Der arrangeres to ugentlige busture. En tur går til Leirvík og den
anden til Funningur, Gjógv og Eiði. Her kan man bl.a. opleve de første
vikinge bosættelser, Færøerne højeste fjeld og „Kæmpen og Kællingen“.
SCUBA-DIVING
A magnificent experience. Nearly everyone remembers their first encounter with the underwater world the rest of their lives.
ROWING
Kaproning: For grupper arrangeres kaproning ude i Skálafjørður i de færøske kaproningsbåde.
For information about tours, please contact:
Kunningarstovan in Runavík
Tel. +298 417060
fax +298 417001
kunningarstovan@runavik.fo
www.visiteysturoy.fo
or
Kunningarstovan in Fuglafjørður
Tel. +298 737715
fax +298 445180
infoey-f@post.olivant.fo
www.visiteysturoy.fo
|