Hvannhagi

ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND UNIQUE NATURAL EXPERIENCES IN THE FAROE ISLANDS.

Starting from the hospital in Tvøroyri, go up to Ovari Vegur and continue left in the direction of Trongisvágur. Once you have walked approximately one and a half kilometres, you arrive at the gate leading to the outfield. Here is a sign that reads Hvannhagi. The path begins. Follow it, first straight out and then it turns slowly to the right uphill. When you get to the top and look towards the northeast, you have a magnificent view of Lítla Dímun, Stóra Dímun and Sandoy. After about a 20-minute walk, you arrive at Grindin, which is where you go descend to Hvannhagi. Here, you begin to see parts of the beautiful Hvannhagi. You also have a view to other islands further away, for example Koltur and Vágar.

Naturalists, especially geologists, are always thrilled when Hvannhagi is mentioned. They call the area a geological Eldorado. The place is teeming with interesting geological phenomena. Among the things you can see are stones from giant avalanches or rock slides that roared down into Hvannhagi several thousand years ago. The rocky area is called Dysjarnar. People are working on getting Hvannhagi and all of Suðuroy registered as a geopark.

There are also others who find Hvannhagi interesting: the sheep. Parts of Hvannhagi have for years been used as “fitilendi” (fat pasture) for sheep. Follow the path, which slowly turns to the left into the valley and there it is: The beautiful, circular lake, surrounded by the greenest grass and steep mountainsides. No wonder Hvannavatn and Hvannhagi have been popular destinations for families and travelers coming to Suðuroy for generations.

When or if you can tear yourself away from the place and are ready to head home, you can choose to walk back the way you came, or you can go through Frostgjógv, which is a gorge further up in the southern part of the valley. Beware of loose rocks in the gorge, especially if you are traveling in a group. You then come to a sheepfold at the end of the gorge. Here, there is no visible path. But once you’ve gone a few metres from the sheepfold, you will spot the path from Tvøroyri where you walked up to Grindin earlier. Head over towards the path and go back to Tvøroyri.

FACTS

Duration: About two hours

Distance: About six km

Difficulty: Moderate. Down to Hvannhagi and back is somewhat difficult

Maximum height: 230 m

Children: Suitable for children. However, be aware of loose rocks through Frostgjógv

Surface: Grass path. Towards Hvannhagi, stones and rocks, and through Frostgjógv passage with loose stones

Map: 503