Sandoy, Skúvoy and Stóra Dímun
Sandoy is a mild and green island. Scoured smooth by the various ice ages, the highest mountain, Tindur, is 479 metres. Sandoy is good for cyclists and hikers because of its relatively flat terrain. The cliffs along the western shore, offer a unique hiking experience in perfect peace and solitude.
From Skopun, the main ferry terminal, one can follow a hiking path westward to Høvdarhagi and then travel on south to the bay of Søltuvík. The landscape surrounding Søltuvík with its open countryside is something quite unusual for the Faroes. Idyllic as it may look on a summer’s day it is, however, noted for tragic shipwrecks in the treacherous waters by the coast. A small one-lane road leads into Sandur along the steep cliffs west of the lake Gróthúsvatn.
Another option is to hike from Skopun following the cairns southeast to the peaceful valley, Slavansdalur. Along the hike one can enjoy the vista overlooking the twin lakes, Norðara and Heimara Hálsavatn. In the valley there is an idyllic mountain cabin where one can enjoy a meal. Reservations can be made through the Sandoy Tourist Office. The trail continues from the cabin through the valley alongside Sandsvatn, one of the largest lakes, stretched out under the towering crags above the hamlet of Traðir.
Sandur is an appropriate name for the lush and green village situated near a broad sandy beach and the only sand dunes in the Faroes. The whole island takes its name from this village. The Tourist Office lies in the middle of the village. Here one can obtain information about the island and arrange for guided tours. In a cluster of beautiful old houses in the heart of the village is the folk museum at a place called Koytu. All the villages have community houses that are open to groups with advance reservations. Furthermore, overnight accommodation is offered in the form of holiday cottages and B&B.
A private art collector, who was born and grew up in Sandur, has built a gallery to house his collection of Faroese art which includes works by Mykines and Ingálvur av Reyni. It is open to the public and well worth a visit.
The parish church is a fine example of the old Faroese wooden churches with black walls, turf on the roof, and a white belfry. Archaeological excavations have documented that the present church is the sixth in succession built on the same site.
The ferry to Skúvoy sails from Sandur. The Viking chieftain, Sigmundur Brestisson, who brought Christianity to the Faroe Islands around 1000 AD, is buried on Skúvoy. He lived on the island and, according to the Faroese Sagas, he leapt into the sea from the cliffs of Skúvoy to escape the onslaught of Viking warriors commanded by his arch rival, the chieftain Tróndur í Gøta. Skúvoy is well known for its bird cliffs on the western side of the island. The cliffs rise vertically from the sea and the traditional gathering of birds and eggs by hunters suspended from long ropes is practised even to this day.
During the summer, the Hvíthamar sails from Sandur around Skúvoy or along the west coast of Sandoy where one can experience a seabird paradise among the awe-inspiring sheer cliffs.
The road to the eastern villages of Sandoy skirts the high cliffs overlooking the bay and village of Sandur, then leads into the interior valley. Huge boulders are scattered in this splendid valley, left behind when the glaciers from the Ice Age retreated after levelling the mountains of Sandoy.
At the beginning of the valley there is a side road to the abandoned village of Skarvanes. This narrow road brings one near the two lakes, Stóravatn and Lítlavatn, and from the village one has a magnificent view of Skúvoy and the two Dímun islands.
After taking the detour to Skarvanes, one can return to the main road and follow it until it divides. One fork leads to Skálavík, the other to Húsavík. The villages are situated on either side of the dividing cape of Skálhøvdi. Skálavík sits in a broad and fertile valley and from here one can go north to Núpsdalur and the dramatic landscape at Dysjarnar. If one likes solitude, it is possible to stay in Norðasti Hagi in a house belonging to the farm, Dalsgarður, in Skálavík. The farmer can provide food from his own farm.
In Húsavík, one can still see the medieval ruins of the farm that belonged to the rich and mighty Dame of Húsavík. She was the Norwegian Guðrun Sjúrðardóttir, who also owned properties in Shetland. Take a moment to enjoy the mermaids and other figures on the jetties created by the artist Tróndur Patursson.
From Húsavík, the road leads to Dalur, the island’s southernmost village. The narrow road hugs the side of the mountain atop sheer cliffs plunging straight down to the crashing sea below. Curving around a towering headland, the road drops steeply down the side of the mountain into the village, sheltered in the depths of a bowl-shaped valley.
Leading up from Dalur is a twisting trail into the mountains that promises fine vistas to the southern islands. Most appealing are the two “diamonds”, Stóra Dímun and Lítla Dímun; precipitous islands that are almost inaccessible. Weather permitting, the Sandoy Tourist Office offers tours to Stóra Dímun with Hvíthamar. This is an unforgettable adventure.
EXCURSIONS
HIKING TOURS
The tourist office on Sandoy is able to arrange various guided hikes,
including a trip to Høvdarhagi on the west coast of Sandoy where one
can experience a magnificent vista toward the bird cliffs. From
Skopun to Sandur with a stop in the idyllic mountain hut in
Slavansdalur.
Hikes to the east side of Sandoy also offer spectacular and unique
vistas, including the craggy Dysjarnar and the majestic cliffs of
Borgin. Skúvoy is also an especially intriguing hiking destination.
RAPPELLING
If you enjoy extreme sports and a challenge, then you can rappel from a
height of 300m on the western side of Sandoy at Lonin. The tour, which
takes approximately 5-6 hours, leads you through beautiful scenery and
gives you a chance to enjoy some Faroese food. The tour can also be
arranged without rappelling, if you prefer to enjoy the nature with
both feet on the ground!
BOAT TOURS
From May to August the breathtakingly beautiful soaring cliffs of
Sandoy and Skúvoy become a veritable seabird paradise for
guillemot, puffin, cormorant, fulmar, and razorbill. Weather
conditions permitting, the Hvíthamar sails along the coast of
Sandoy or around Skúvoy. On the trip there is a good chance that you
will encounter curious or slumbering seals. Contact Jóan Petur
Clementsen, local boat builder, for details. The tourist office also
arranges a number of tours to the solitary and enigmatic island of
Stóra Dímun.
FAROESE EVENING
Traditional kvøldseta or evening gatherings are offered regularly
featuring traditional food and demonstrations that share aspects of
the old Faroese culture such as wool spinning, carding, etc. Guests
will also have the opportunity to participate in the Faroese chain
dance together with villagers from the isolated and unique village of
Dalur.
DESTINATION VIKING SAGALANDS
A new map entitled Søguslóðir/Destination Viking Saga-lands, detailing sagas, history and facts, was published on 1 March 2007.
On Sandoy, Skúvoy and Stóra Dímun you have the opportunity to follow in
the footsteps of the old sagas, many of which date back to the Viking
and chieftain times on the Faroe Islands.
You can experience where the past meets the present as the stories unfold in the magnificent nature of these three islands.
For more information about tours, please contact:
Sandoy Tourist Information
Tel. +298 361836
fax +298 361256
info@visitsandoy.fo
www.visitsandoy.fo
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