Trip report by BestHike editor Rick McCharles
Almost every tourist to the Faroe Islands goes to see the lake hanging over the ocean. Unique and spectacular.
Sørvágsvatn is the largest lake in the Faroe Islands.
… surface is about 40 m (130 ft) above the level of the sea.
It is surrounded by a higher cliff which prevents it from emptying fully into the ocean, the waterfall Bøsdalafossur being the outlet.
The greater height of the cliffs on either side of Bøsdalafossur can give the illusion from certain perspectives that the lake is higher above sea level than it is.
The waterfall vista is great. But personally I liked even better walking the Trælanípan cliff — aka the ‘Slave Cliff’. Supposedly where slaves were pushed to their deaths.
There are many, many birds nesting on those vertical sides.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
In 2024 the hiking fee was 450 kr (USD $42) / adult (ages 15+) for a guided walk. 200 kr (USD $20) / adult (ages 15+) to hike on your own, as I did.
Price is $teep. And has been going up in recent years. Know that there are other great cliff walks free in the Faroe Islands. 😀
official website – tralanipan.fo
related – Moon and Honey – Lake Sørvágsvatn (Floating Lake above the Ocean) and the Trælanípa Hike, Faroe Islands
Moon and Honey – entrance
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