Klakkur Faroe Islands: Best Hike Above Klaksvík Guide
Looking for a hike with incredible views that doesn’t take up your whole day in the Faroe Islands?
The climb to Klakkur viewpoint begins just outside Klaksvík and leads up a grassy mountain ridge, with views opening over Borðoy, Kunoy, Kalsoy and the fjords between them.
From the summit, the islands and waterways spread out below you in every direction, a spectacular payoff for a relatively short hike. In this guide, I’ll share what the walk is really like, how to find the trailhead and what to know before setting off.
Klakkur Hike Overview
Trailhead: Follow signs from the carpark | Google Maps
Parking: upper parking location | Google Maps
Total Hiking Distance: 1.2 km | one way
Total Hiking Duration: 35 minute walk | one way
Difficulty: Easy
Altitude: 406 meters above sea level
Price: Free entry
Highlights: Wide-open views across Klaksvík, the narrow strait separating Borðoy and Kunoy, and the rugged mountain ridges of the northern Faroe Islands.
Where is the Klakkur Mountain Hike?
The Klakkur trail is a mountain ridge above Klaksvík, on the island of Borðoy in the northern Faroe Islands. Its name comes from the Faroese word klakkur, meaning “cliff,”a fitting name for this high lookout above town. Klaksvík itself takes its name from Klakkur and vík, meaning “bay.”
The hike climbs from just outside Klaksvík to the summit, where you can look across the town and the narrow sound between Borðoy and Kunoy. On a clear day, views extend towards Kalsoy and the surrounding fjords. Klaksvík is the Faroe Islands’ second-largest town and a convenient base for exploring the northern islands.
Klakkur Trailhead
The Klakkur trailhead is about a five-minute drive uphill from central Klaksvík, along a narrow road that climbs above town. There’s a small parking area near the start of the path. From there, follow the clear trail up the grassy ridge towards the summit.
If you’re staying in Klaksvík, you can also walk to the trailhead, but be prepared for a steep uphill climb before the hike itself begins.
Klakkur Trailhead: Follow signs from the carpark | Google Maps
Klakkur Trail parking: upper parking location | Google Maps
Faroe Islands Highlights:
How to Get to Klaksvík
Klaksvík is around 75 km from Tórshavn, and you can reach it by hire car or regional bus. Once in town, you can drive up to the hike’s starting point or walk there if you’re staying nearby.
Hire Car: Self-Drive from Tórshavn to Klaksvík
Hiring a car is the easiest way to reach Klaksvík and explore the Faroe Islands at your own pace. Avis, Budget and Europcar have rental locations at Vágar Airport and in central Tórshavn. Car hire can be a significant trip expense, so compare prices and book well ahead where possible.
The drive from Tórshavn takes you north across Streymoy and Eysturoy, through the subsea tunnel connecting the islands, before continuing to Klaksvík on Borðoy. From Klaksvík, it’s a short uphill drive to the trailhead, where parking is available.
The journey details are:
Distance from Tórshavn to Klaksvík: Around 75 km
Drive time: Approximately 1 hour
Klaksvík to the trailhead: Around five minutes uphill by car
Roads: Paved; a standard 2WD is suitable
Parking: Available at the trailhead
Public Transport - Bus to Klaksvík
You can also reach Klaksvík from Tórshavn by regional bus, making it possible to visit Klakkur viewpoint without a hire car:
Take a regional bus from Tórshavn to Klaksvík.
From Klaksvík, walk uphill to the Klakkur trailhead or arrange transport for the short trip.
Check the Strandfaraskip Landsins website for current routes and timetables.
Public transport is a budget-friendly option if you have flexibility in your schedule. Remember to allow time to walk between the town and trailhead, and check the return bus times before setting out.
Klakkur Faroe Islands Hike Map
This Klakkur Mountain hike map shows the trail above Klaksvík and its position on Borðoy. Use it to locate the trailhead and see how the route climbs towards the ridge overlooking Kunoy, Kalsoy and the surrounding fjords.
Where to Stay for Hiking Klakkur Faroe Islands
Klaksvík is the best place to stay for hiking Klakkur Mountain. The trailhead is only a short drive uphill from town, so you can set off early for sunrise or stay on the mountain for sunset without facing a long drive afterwards. You can even walk from town to the trailhead if you’re keen.
Staying in Klaksvík also makes it easy to catch the ferry to Kalsoy for the Kallur Lighthouse hike. The town has a good choice of accommodation, restaurants, cafés and shops, making it a practical base for exploring the northern islands.
Tórshavn is also a good option if you don’t mind the drive to Klaksvík. Staying in the capital gives you even more choice of accommodation, restaurants and things to do, while Klakkur viewpoint can still be visited as a day trip.
Best Places to stay in Klaksvík
Klaksvík has a good range of accommodation, places to eat and shops for picking up supplies. Its central ferry terminal also makes it easy to plan a trip to Kalsoy, while the town is a handy base for exploring the northern islands.
We stayed in Klaksvík at the The Sybilla Apartment during our Faroe Islands road trip and found it a great base. Here are two options to consider:
The Sybilla Apartment - is where we stayed in Klaksvík, and we loved it. This cosy, modern apartment has a well-equipped kitchen, free parking and lovely artwork, and it’s in a quiet neighbourhood about a five-minute walk from the town centre and ferry. It is also fairly reasonably priced compared to a lot of other places especially considering what you get.
KG Hotel - is a modern hotel in Klaksvík, with comfortable rooms, free Wi-Fi and on-site parking. It also has a restaurant, café, bar and spa with a sauna, making it a good option if you’d like dining and wellness facilities during your stay.
Best Places to stay in Tórshavn
If you’d rather stay in Tórshavn and don’t mind the drive to Klaksvík, these are a few of my top accommodation picks:
Hotel Brandan - A four-star superior hotel about a three-minute walk from central Tórshavn. It has a restaurant, café and bar, plus a sauna, fitness suite and outdoor hot tubs. It’s a more upscale option, with free parking and electric car charging, and works well if you want extra facilities while staying close to town. This would be my top choice if you want to be walking distance to the city center.
Hilton Garden Inn Faroe Islands - A modern hotel around 1 km from the city centre, with complimentary on-site parking, a fitness centre and an on-site restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s a comfortable full-service option, though you’ll have a slightly longer walk into the centre than from the most central hotels
Hotel Djurhuus - A simpler, generally more budget-friendly hotel about a 9-minute walk from central Tórshavn and close to the harbour. Rooms include Wi-Fi, and the stay includes breakfast and free parking, making it a practical choice if you want a convenient base without paying for as many extra facilities.
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When to Hike to Klakkur Mountain
Summer is the best time to hike Klakkur Mountain, when longer daylight hours give you more flexibility to visit at sunrise or sunset. An early start lets you watch the light spread across the northern islands, while an evening hike offers changing colours over the fjords and surrounding peaks. Staying in Klaksvík makes either option easier.
You can hike Klakkur trail outside summer too, but shorter days and changeable conditions leave less room to adjust your plans. Check the forecast before setting out: low cloud can hide the views, and wind or rain can make the open slopes uncomfortable. Bring waterproof and windproof layers whatever the season.
What is the Klakkur Ridge Hike Like?
The hike along the Klakkur trail starts a short drive uphill from Klaksvík, at a small parking area beside the trail. From there, a clear path climbs across open grassy slopes towards the rounded summit. The route is straightforward to follow, and the views gradually open up over Klaksvík and the sound between Borðoy and Kunoy.
At the top, the panorama stretches across the northern islands, including Kalsoy and Kunoy, with fjords winding between the steep ridges. It’s a rewarding viewpoint for a relatively short walk, and a lovely place to pause and take in the landscape. The best part about it is that there are views along the entirety of the hike.
How Difficult is the Hike?
Klakkur is a short, fairly easy hike that should suit most people with a modest level of fitness. The path climbs steadily, but there’s no technical scrambling, and you can take breaks as needed.
The ground can be wet or muddy, and the summit is exposed to the weather. Take care near the edges, especially in strong wind or low visibility.
Klakkur Hike Time?
The hike is around 2 km return and takes about 1–2 hours, depending on your pace and how long you spend at the summit. We took our time enjoying the views and taking photos, but around two hours should be enough for most visitors.
You can walk from Klaksvík to the trailhead, but allow extra time. Also expect that this would take a lot more effort as the initial section out of Klaksvík up to the carpark is very steep.
What to Wear and Bring
Wear shoes with good grip for the grassy, sometimes muddy path. The summit is open to the elements, so pack a waterproof jacket and an extra layer—even on a day that starts out calm. I usually wear a lightweight synthetic top with a fleece when hiking in the Faroes.
Bring some water and a snack if you’re planning to take your time at the top. Check the forecast before you go, as low cloud can hide the views and the weather can shift quickly.
Is Hiking Klakkur in the Faroe Islands Worth it?
Yes, Klakkur is well worth the effort.
If you’re already staying in Klaksvík to visit Kalsoy island and Kallur Lighthouse, this short, free hike is an easy addition to your plans. The trail is straightforward, and the views over the northern islands are impressive for the time it takes to reach the summit.
It’s also worth considering a sunrise or sunset hike. The changing light would make the views even more striking, and staying in Klaksvík means you can enjoy those quieter hours without a long drive afterwards.
Our Experience Hiking to Klakkur Mountain
We hiked to Klakkur viewpoint the morning after visiting Kalsoy. We’d checked out of our accommodation in Klaksvík and drove the short distance uphill to the trailhead. From the car park, the route was easy to follow as it climbed along the ridgeline.
As we gained height, the views opened up across the islands and waterways. It was lovely to look down over Klaksvík and spot Mikladalur on Kalsoy, which we’d visited the day before. Seeing the places we’d just explored from above gave us a new perspective on the area.
The summit viewpoint was the highlight. The huge rock formations and the striking lines cutting through the green slopes made the landscape feel wonderfully rugged. We took our time at the top, soaking up the views before heading back down.
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Saksun Church and Beach are set within a natural amphitheatre of steep mountains in the remote village of Saksun on Streymoy. The small white church overlooks a tidal lagoon formed by a historic storm, and a short walk beyond the village leads to the black sand beach where the lagoon meets the Atlantic. With towering cliffs, shifting tides, and near-total isolation, Saksun offers one of the Faroe Islands’ most distinctive and atmospheric landscapes.