As a protective barrier against the roaring waves of the North Atlantic, Nólsoy lies to the east of Tórshavn. Only a 20-minute sail across the strait, and you are in another world. Nólsoy offers a splendid hike across the mountain to the old lighthouse at the southern tip, an excursion to one of the world’s largest storm petrel colonies on the east side, or just a quiet stroll among colorful houses, enchanting locals and a charming harbour.
Peace & Colors
The ferry docks inside the small harbor, while the swells break over the sandy beach; a popular spot for sea bathing. The colorful houses are tightly packed on the north side of the harbor, with the white wooden church out by the pier. On the quay you might find some colorful wheelbarrows provided by the village for free for the locals to transport groceries, fishing gear, or perhaps luggage upon return from Tórshavn.
Hiking on Bird Island
If the top of Nólsoy is not wearing its “cloud hat,” the hike up over the mountain and southward is an experience with magnificent viewpoints. Shortly after leaving the harbor area, we pass the ruins where a Scottish princess once lived, and up behind the rock wall lies the cave where the inhabitants hid from pirates. We walk past the island’s water reservoir and begin the ascent up about 220 meters. Upon reaching that height the path is almost level, through valleys and wetlands.
We might hear the rapid whinnying call of the whimbrel and the booming of the common snipe. Nólsoy is a paradise for birds, as the island is free of rats and was declared a Ramsar site in 2012. During the breeding season, puffins reside in earth burrows on the slopes, the fulmar nests on the steep mountain sides, and the storm petrel has one of, if not the, largest colonies in the world, on this island.
Lighthouse at the End of the World
The Nólsoyar lighthouse is one of the world’s most robust lighthouses, built from hewn basalt stones in 1893. In the past, the lighthouse keepers and their families lived in the buildings next to it. At timers there would be up to 30 people living there, but since 1995 the lighthouse has functioned without a keeper, and the buildings currently stand empty.
A rest in the grass in these peaceful surroundings makes you feel as if at the end of the world, a title phrase used by known Faroese author, William Heinesen, relating to the experience.
If there’s time and energy, we can continue the trip out to the lighthouse on Borðuni, which can be seen from Tórshavn. Along the way, we’ll pass the small harbor where the lighthouse keepers and their families received deliveries of goods before reaching the solitary little lighthouse. After taking in the view, and perhaps catching a few photos, we’ll make our way back to the village of Nólsoy.
The Saint Tropez of the Faroe Islands
From the harbor we walk through the village, up to the northern tip of the island, to enjoy the view from the rolling grassland and perhaps spot some puffins and other birds. Along the way, we pass the small white wooden church and next to it, a memorial stone for Nólsoyar Páll, one of the Faroe Islands’ great heroes, who bravely stood up against the trade monopoly established by the Danish king.
On the northeast side of the island, we will discover how narrow the island actually is, right where the village is located, and get a sense of the magnitude of the North Atlantic waves. The local football field lies to the west, nature’s playground to the east, with only a narrow strip of basalt cliffs in between.
As we stroll around the village where car traffic is a rarity, the guide is likely to talk about another of the island’s heroes, Ove Joensen, who in 1986 rowed from the Faroes to Denmark in a small boat all by himself, and who has given name to the annual festival on the island. At the annual “Ovastevna”, held in mid-August, people sail in from all corners of the Faroe Islands and the streets are filled with food, singing, and dancing.
On Nólsoy, there is a grocery store, cafés, and a music venue, so we can relax for a moment in the cozy surroundings before the ferry takes us back to Tórshavn.
*Please note pick up times might change depending on availability in the boat.
Please note puffins start leaving the Faroe Islands from mid-August.
Starting Price: 4.995dkk
Extra pr. person: 995dkk
Included: Transport, Guide, Lunch, Beverages, Pick-Up, Drop Off
What to Bring: Warm and Waterproof Clothes, Good Shoes, Camera
Duration: 10 hours
Pick-up: From 07:15
Group Size: 1-10
HIKING TRIP to Nólsoy Lighthouse
Pick-up: 07:15 (ferry 07:45 from Tórshavn)
Duration: 8-9 hours (ferry 16:50 from Nólsoy)
Hiking distance to Lighthouse and back to the village: 14-17 km.
Hike duration: 5-8 hours
Difficulty: Medium+
Starting Price: 3.995dkk
Extra pr. person: 995dkk
Included: Transport, Guide, Lunch, Beverages, Pick-Up, Drop Off, Ferry ticket
What to Bring: Warm and Waterproof Clothes, Good Shoes, Camera
Group Size: 1-10
STONGIN Hike & the Nólsoy Village
Duration: 5-6 hours
Meeting Time: 12:00 (ferry from Tórshavn at 12:30)
Meeting Point: Tórshavn Terminal
Duration: 3-4 hours (ferry from Nólsoy at 16:50)
Difficulty: Easy
Starting Price: 3.995dkk
Extra pr. person: 995dkk
Included: Private Guide, Coffee, Ferry ticket, Entry to Ovasavnið museum
What to Bring: Warm and Waterproof Clothes, Good Shoes, Camera
Duration: 5 hours
Group Size: 1-10
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