The Postman’s Trail: My Favourite Hike in the Faroe Islands

The Postman’s Trail: my favourite hike in the Faroe Islands. So you’ve heard all the hype. You’ve seen the photos of jaw-droppingly beautiful landscapes. And you’ve finally taken the plunge and booked flights to the remote Atlantic archipelago that is the Faroe Islands. But what next? Planning a trip to these isolated islands can be tricky. You need to navigate ferry timetables and car rentals in order to reach sites spread out over 18 separate islands. Some islands are only accessible by boat or helicopter. But did you know that one of the best hikes, the postman’s trail, is on the island of Vágar? The same island as the airport? Read on for the perfect introductory hike in the Faroe Islands: the postman’s trail: my favourite hike in the Faroe Islands.

The Postman’s Trail

A large section of the hike is referred to as the postman’s trail. It is the route that the old postman used to take to deliver the post to the tiny isolated village of Gásadalur. Nowadays you can reach the village by driving through a tunnel cut into the hillside (only built in 2004). Before this was built you could only get there by walking over the hills. This is what the postman did daily, no matter what the weather! (They must have had thighs of steel!).

Where

The hike to Gásadalur is on the island of Vágar, in the west of the Faroe Islands. This is one of the biggest islands. It is very well-connected because of the airport. There is a regular bus between the airport and the capital Tórshavn, on the east coast of Streymoy island).

Route

If you take the bus from the airport in the other direction (away from Tórshavn) you’ll eventually reach the small town of Sørvágur where you can begin the hike. You can then walk along the road, past the picturesque village of Bøur on your left, with its traditional grass-roofed houses, and continue on towards the tunnel. (DO NOT WALK THROUGH THE TUNNEL). Just before you reach the tunnel there is a track marked out that branches off the road and leads up over the cliffs. (There is parking here if you’d rather skip the walk from Sørvágur).

This section of the hike is quite steep, but it’s well marked out by wooden markers in the ground. The views during the ascent are absolutely stunning, as you look out over the cliffs and raging sea below. If you look out over the water you’ll see the islets of Tindhólmur and Gáshólmur. During the walk you’ll most likely find yourself joined by a few woolly faroese sheep. There are stone cairns set out at regular intervals along the path to help you find your way.

As you reach the crest of Gásadalsbrekkan hill, you’ll suddenly see the village of Gásadalur below you. Now you’ll catch your first glimpse of the remarkable Múlafossur waterfall. It’s not over yet though. The descent down the other side of the hill is incredibly steep and rocky, so go slowly. Eventually you’ll reach the tarmac road the the bottom, and from here you can walk to Gásadalur. Make sure you stop off at the viewing platform opposite Múlafossur for one of the most famous views in the Faroe Islands. It’s even better in real life.

Preparation

The key to an enjoyable hike is definitely in the preparation! Read on for my top tips before hiking the postman’s trail in the Faroe Islands:

Weather: Make sure you check the weather before setting out on this hike. Conditions on the Faroes change quite quickly. You do not want to get caught out in thick fog or rain.

What to bring: Sturdy hiking boots are a must. Always pack extra layers and a waterproof. It will be colder on the exposed cliffs (top tip: a bright-coloured jacket allows you to be easily spotted by mountain rescue if you do get into trouble). I also recommend packing snacks as you’ll need the energy! Don’t forget water – in the cold you can sometimes not realise when you’re getting dehydrated. Believe it or not, suncream is also essential in summer – you can get quite sunburned!

Distance and Timings

Distance: 10-11km (with a lot of steep ups and downs)

How to get back: You can either hike back the same way you came, or you can hitch a lift. There are usually plenty of people who drive along to see the waterfall. (Always allow enough time just in case you do end up having to walk back). (If the weather changes and it’s too dangerous to hike back, you can (as an absolute last resort) walk back along the road through the tunnel. Obviously this should be avoided if possible as it is unsafe).

Timings: How long you need will depend on whether you walk back or hitch a lift. I’d allow around 6 hours for the whole thing. This allows 3 hours each way, just in case you do need to walk back. In the Faroes it’s generally best to plan hikes for the mornings. This is so you never get caught out by running out of daylight (especially in winter).

Read my other posts about the Faroe Islands here

For the most up-to-date information on visiting the Faroe Islands, see their official tourism website here.