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Tórshavn - Kirkjubøur

  • 2019-06-24-t-rshavn-kirkjub--003-jpg
    The village path is clearly visible all the way up to the first cain that you see in the centre at the top. Photo: Óli Gardshodn
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    Up from the first cain in 190m, you have a beautiful view over Tórshavn with the island of Eysturoy and the northern islands in the background. Photo: Óli Gardshodn
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    Up on the plain, everything is beautiful and peaceful while the birds gather on the water. Photo: Óli Gardshodn.
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    The cosy stroll over to the old gathering place, Reynsmúlalág, where the great speeches were held from the stone pulpit and the folk songs sung by the audience up on the grassy slope. Here it is only the imagination that sets the limits... Photo: Óli Gardshodn
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    The rostrum at Reynsmúlalág, built of stones, used in those days when folk meetings were held in open air from the 19th century up to the 1960s.
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    The cairns stand close along the path. Photo: Óli Gardshodn
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    Along the path there is a good view of the beautiful island of Koltur. In the background is the island of Vágar Photo: Óli Gardshodn
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    Gate between parts of the outfield in Kirkjubø. Photo: Óli Gardshodn
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    View over the ancient village of Kirkjubø. Photo: Óli Gardshodn
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    The path up from Kirkjubø. Photo: Óli Gardshodn
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    Kirkjubøur Church is the oldest church in the Faroe Islands still in use. It was built in the 13th century. Photo: Abdellah Ihadian
hike poster

A hike along the village path, characterised by the historic site of Reynsmúlalág and views over the islands of Hestur and Koltur

The hike starts at the crossroads where Landavegur and Velbastaðvegur meet. From there, follow the path down to the river Sandá and then up to the farm, where the path to Kirkjubøur begins. From here, continue uphill. When you have reached the top of the hill, turn around for the good view over Tórshavn out to Nólsoy. When you continue, go around the crag Reynsmúli to the hollow Reynsmúlalág. Here there are two lakes where you might spot Kittiwakes in the summer.

 

 Follow the cairns and you will see a dais built of rocks. The dais was used for open air folk meetings from the 19th century up to the 1960s. At these meetings speeches were held, patriotic songs (written for the occasion) were sung, and flags were waved. It is easy to imagine how crowds settled on the hill in front of the dais to listen to people like Jóannes Patursson (1866-1946), a pioneer in the Faroese national separatist movement. The tradition of having folk meetings is still alive in the Faroe Islands, e.g., in Tórshavn during the national holiday Ólavsøka, held on 28-29 July.

 

After Reynsmúlalág, the path continues southwards. En route, enjoy the great views over the islands of Sandoy, Hestur, Koltur, and Vágoy. According to legend, there was a young man from Koltur named Magnus who courted a girl from Hestur. The girl’s father was to be held in the dark about their relationship. So, when the tidal current flowed southward, Magnus swam from Koltur to Hestur to spend time with the girl; when the tide turned, he swam back to Koltur. The girl’s father discovered their trysts. And one day, when Magnus came ashore, the father stood before him with an axe and threatened to kill him. Magnus was forced back to sea and was never seen again, the current undoubtedly dragging him out to sea. The legend has it that as an act of revenge the eddy Grísarnir appeared soon after this in the strait Kolturssund, where it still churns and turns to this day.

 

As you approach Kirkjubøur, you will see a small islet, Kirkjubøhólmur, which used to be part of the mainland and the village. You can still see the ruins of old houses on the islet. Continue on the path as it moves gradually down to the village and ends by a cattle grid some 50 metres from the nearest houses. 

 

Kirkjubøur is a beautiful and charming village, where most of the houses are built in the old style. The village has a wealth of attractions such as Kirkjubømúrurin (the ruins of an old cathedral believed to have been built around AD 1300), Stokkastovurnar (the old farmhouses from about AD 1350, built on the ruins of the old bishop’s seat), and Kirkjubøur Church, which is the oldest church in the Faroe Islands still in use. It was built in the 13th century.

 

The hike can be taken in either direction, going toward Kirkjubøur being a little less strenuous.
 

Tórshavn - Kirkjubøur
Kirkjubøur - Tórshavn

Tórshavn - Kirkjubøur

Public Transport
The municipal buses in Tórshavn go quite frequently to Kirkjubøur. For departure times, look up route 6 (mon-fri) and route 8 (sat & sun). You can plan your trip here

Arriving by car
Parking, Tórshavn
Good parking is found in the public parking lot down by the bridge crossing the river Sandá—see the green lines. From there, take the road up beside the farm until you reach the village path—see the blue line.

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    See green line for parking and blue line for starting point
  • t-rshavn-2-png
    See green line for parking and blue line for starting point
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    See green line for parking

Kirkjubøur - Tórshavn

Public Transport
The municipal buses in Tórshavn go quite frequently to Kirkjubøur. For departure times, look up route 6 (mon-fri) and route 8 (sat & sun). You can plan your trip here

Arriving by car
Parking, Kirkjubøur
You can park your car in the public parking lot down by the harbour in Kirkjubøur, close to the church—see the green line. From there, walk along the main road for about 825 metres, north to the cattle grid, where the village path starts—see the blue line in the picture.

 

 

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    See green line for parking and blue line for starting point.
Tórshavn - Kirkjubøur
Kirkjubøur - Tórshavn

Tórshavn - Kirkjubøur

Kirkjubøur - Tórshavn

Facts

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1h 20m

Duration

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6 km

distance

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243 m

Peak

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212 m

Elevation


family icon Suitable for children over 6 years, accompanied by adults. Kindergarteners and school children often go on this hike. Care must be taken on the stretch down to Kirkjubøur, which is a little steep
difficulty icon Medium -
terrain icon The first stretch up from Tórshavn is a little bumpy and rocky. If it has been raining and many people have taken the path, it can be muddy in places. It is a little steep when you approach Kirkjubøur, where the path is also quite narrow. Otherwise, the path is level and good for walking
-1°C
5 m/s
Weather forecast

Available guided tours