On the northernmost tip of the Faroe Islands lies a towering sea cliff by the title of Enniberg. Looming 754 m (2,474 ft) over the North Atlantic Ocean, it’s mentioned to be the world’s highest sea-facing promontory and, due to a thriving inhabitants of seabirds, has lengthy been a magnet for ornithologists and boat-riding vacationers alike. For these of a rambling persuasion, Cape Enniberg marks the turnaround level and scenic spotlight of one of many Faroe Island’s most memorable climbing trails.
Yours actually gazing westwards from Cape Enniberg.
Observe: The Cape Enniberg Path was one in all 26 featured hikes in my newest guide with Gestalten Publications, Wanderlust Nordics. A lot of the data beneath has been tailored from that publication. The guide is already obtainable in Europe and can be launched within the US and different components subsequent month.
At a Look
Distance: 7.7 km (4.8 mi)
Common Length: 4-5 hrs
Problem Stage: Reasonable to difficult
Complete Elevation Achieve: 1,306 m (4,285 ft)
Begin/End: Viðareiði, Viðoy Island
The rock-strewn slopes of Villingadalsfjal Peak (841 m/2,759 ft).
Planning Data:
- Getting There & Away: The closest city to the village of Viðareiði is Klaksvik (20 minutes drive south). In case you don’t have a automobile, you possibly can hitchhike or take the #500 from Klaksvík to Viðareiði.
- Permits & Charges: No permits are required. On the time of writing, all hikers might want to pay a 200 DKK payment to the house owners of the personal property the path passes by means of (Tip: You possibly can depart the cash in a mailbox close to the trailhead gate)
- Hen Sanctuaries and Boat Rides: The cliffs of Cape Enniberg and its rapid coastal surrounds are a chosen Vital Hen and Biodiversity Space (IBA). Notable amongst its avifauna are colonies of Atlantic puffins, black-legged kittiwakes, European storm petrels, and black guillemots. In case you’re concerned with experiencing this dramatic coastal setting from a unique perspective, take into account taking one of many common boat excursions departing from the close by port of Klaksvik.
Views in the direction of Kunoy Island on the way in which to the cape.
Path Notes:
The Cape Enniberg Path begins at Viðareiði village, the northernmost settlement within the Faroes archipelago. After paying your payment to cross by means of personal property, undergo a gate and ascend regularly up the grassy hillside. Following a well-defined path marked by blue plastic poles, after roughly 20 minutes of climbing, the grass offers option to rocky terrain.
Heading up the grassy hillside at the beginning of the path.
From this level, the path turns into significantly steeper, and the tread appreciably looser. Winding your means up by means of the rock-strewn mountainside, round 100 m (328 ft) beneath the highest of Villingadalsfjal Peak (841 m/2,759 ft), you’ll acquire a small plateau. To the rapid northwest, a cairn-marked route continues to Cape Enniberg. The summit course continues northwards, and after a quick scramble, you’ll attain the apex of the third tallest mountain within the Faroes.
Wanting again towards the village of Viðareiði and the pyramid-shaped Malinsfjall (750 m/2,461 ft).
Following the cairns from the Villingadalsfjall junction to Cape Enniberg.
The summit of Villingadalsfjall (841 m/2,759 ft), the third highest mountain within the Faroe Islands (Observe: The knife-edge ridge to Cape Enniberg may be seen within the background).
From the summit of Villingadalsfjal, retrace your steps again to the junction on the aforementioned flat space. From this level, observe the cairns northwest throughout the rock-strewn mountainside. In positive climate, it’s easy-going; in thick fog with driving wind and rain, rather less so. After roughly two kilometers, you’ll attain Cape Enniberg. When it’s time to return to civilization, retrace your steps again to the bottom of Villingadalsfjall after which observe the blue posts steeply right down to Viðareiði.
Winged guardians and cliff-hugging trails.
Yours actually at Cape Enniberg with the summit of Villingadalsfjall within the background.
Gazing eastwards from the Cape.
Notes & Musings
- A Seaside Church and a Short-term Relocation: Both earlier than or after your Cape Enniberg tour, take a while to discover the charming trailhead village of Viðareiði. Established within the 14th century, foremost amongst Viðareiði’s sights is its picturesque church. Positioned by the seashore on the western aspect of city, a former model of the constructing was destroyed by a large storm within the seventeenth century. In keeping with native folklore, quite a few coffins from the church’s cemetery had been washed out to sea throughout the tempest. Within the following days, the caskets drifted again to land on the close by village of Hvannasund. After discerning the origins of their surprising guests, the nice people of Hvannasund returned the lacking caskets to their neighbors in Viðareiði, the place they had been promptly reburied.
The storied church and graveyard of Viðareiði.
Viðareiði Church with the islands of Kunoy and Kalsoy within the background.
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