Hvíthamar is a steep mountain wall above Funningur village on Eysturoy Island in the Faroe Islands. It commands a dramatic view of the narrow, serpentine Funningsfjørður fjord and the surrounding mountains.
This short, high-reward hike starts at the Gjáarskarð mountain pass between the villages of Funningur and Gjógv.
From the pass, a waymarked trail leads to the Hvíthamar ridge viewpoint (10 minutes) and then continues further up to the Skeggjanøv viewpoint (20 minutes). From here, you can hike straight down to Gjáarskarð mountain pass, or return along the same route.
The Hvíthamar – Skeggjanøv hike takes 1 hour.
We recommend combining this hike with a visit to the lovely village of Gjógv. Stay a night in Gjaargardur Guesthouse Gjogv to fully appreciate this spellbinding corner of the Faroe Islands.
- Where: Eysturoy Island
- Trailhead: Gjáarskarð mountain pass | Google Maps
- Distance: 2 km out-and-back (circuit possible)
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 124 meters
- Time Needed: 1 hour
- Difficulty: Easy
- Minimum Elevation: 307 meters
- Maximum Elevation: 428 meters
- Hiking Fee: None
- Recommended Itinerary: Faroe Islands Road Trip Itinerary
- Where to Stay in Gjógv: Gjaargardur Guesthouse Gjogv
- Where to Stay in Tórshavn: Hilton Garden Inn Faroe Islands (midrange-luxury), Hotel Brandan (luxury), Havgrím Seaside Hotel 1948 (luxury)
Hvíthamar Hiking Map
Where to Start the Hvíthamar Hike
Gjáarskarð
This hike starts at Gjáarskarð mountain pass on Gjáarvegur road between Funningur and Gjógv.
Park along the road at the cattle grid. Exact Location: Google Maps.
To start the hike, walk over the stile to the hiking info board.
The stile is located on the right side of the road, when facing north in the direction of Gjógv.
Hvíthamar Trail Description
Gjáarskarð to Hvíthamar (10 minutes)
From the trailhead, notice the fence that leads up the hill. From the second viewpoint (Skeggjanøv), you can follow that fence back down to the starting point.
Shift your focus southeast (right) and follow the flat gravel trail, waymarked with short green poles.
This trail soon turns to grass and leads to a second stile. There’s no need to climb over the stile. Follow the green waymarks through an opening in the fence.
The well-trodden footpath leads to Hvíthamar viewpoint, marked with a metal railing. The viewpoint overlooks the fjord-side Funningur village, a cluster of buildings at the base of Mount Húsafjall (695 m).
Funningsfjørður fjord flows sinuously to the south between Mount Húsafjall and Mount Dalkinsfjall (719 m), the three-armed, seastar-shaped mountain on the left.
Looking further east, you can also see Elduvík village, tucked behind Dalkinsfjall.
Hvíthamar to Skeggjanøv (20 minutes)
At a safe distance from the cliff edge, the waymarked trail continues north up the grassy slope.
There’s a sign to remind you to stay on the marked trail.
The path swings left, weaving around a few boulders, and then continues up a rock-studded slope.
After clearing another shelf of the ascent, you’ll see a rocky hilltop crowned with a fence. That’s Skeggjanov.
Hike up to the elevated Skeggjanøv viewpoint. Here, the Hvíthamar ridge trail comes to an abrupt end.
Before this trail was formally waymarked, it was possible to continue further north in the direction of Middagsfjall (601 m). However, it’s impossible to hike further, because it’s fenced-off.
From this point, you can follow the fence down to the road, to complete the circuit.
Skeggjanøv – Hvíthamar – Gjáarskarð (30 minutes)
We decided to return along the same route to soak in the views a second time.
Where to Stay near Hvíthamar
Gjógv, Eysturoy Island
Budget | Gjaargardur Guesthouse Gjogv is a guesthouse with a delicious on-site restaurant in picture-perfect Gjógv. Rooms are clean, albeit very basic. A wonderful breakfast is included. From the guesthouse, you can walk down to the harbor and follow the coastal trail up to the cliffs, where puffins nest in summer.
Due to limited capacity in the restaurant, it’s important to make lunch and dinner reservations in advance.
Tórshavn, Streymoy Island
Tórshavn, the capital of the Faroe Islands, is located on Streymoy Island. Not surprisingly, it’s also the largest and liveliest city in the Faroes, with the highest concentration of accommodations, restaurants, and bars.
Many travelers decide to base themselves in Tórshavn for the full duration of their trip and take day trips to Saksun and Tjørnuvík, Vágar Island (Múlafossur Waterfall and Trælanípan Trail to the Floating Lake), Eysturoy Island (Gjogv Village), Borðoy Island (Klaksvík and Klakkur Viewpoint), Kalsoy Island (Kallur Lighthouse), and even Viðoy Island (Villingardalsfjall Hike).
From Tórshavn, you can also take ferries to Nólsoy Island, Sandoy Island, and Suðuroy Island.
TOP CHOICE – Midrange-Luxury | Hilton Garden Inn Faroe Islands is a fresh-faced hotel set in a quiet location, 1.6 km from the city center (20 minute walk, or 4 minutes drive). Stay here for the impeccably-designed rooms with comfortable beds, the on-site restaurant and bar, great breakfast buffet, and fitness center. Free on-site parking.
Luxury | Hotel Brandan is a 4-star hotel with quiet rooms, an on-site restaurant, a fitness center, a sauna, and on-site parking. Guests love the breakfast and the hotel bar, which serves local craft beers. The hotel is located 1.4 km from the city center (15 minute walk, or 3 minute drive).
Luxury | Havgrím Seaside Hotel 1948 is a boutique hotel set on the seashore, walking distance to the city center (10 minutes). A fantastic breakfast is included. Free parking is available on-site. Guests can also enjoy the garden hot tub facing the sea.
Luxury | Traditional Faroese house in Tórshavns city center is a 4-bedroom turf-roofed house with stylish, renovated interiors, two bathrooms, and a well-equipped kitchen. Free on-site parking. 3 nights minimum stay.
More Charming Cottages: Cosy house in the heart of Tórshavn (Á Reyni) and Luxurious House in Downtown Tórshavn
City Center Apartments: City center, Tórshavn (2-bedroom apartment), Central apartment in Tórshavn (1-bedroom apartment), Penthouse Apartment in Downtown Tórshavn (3-bedroom/5 people apartment)
Look for accommodation in Tórshavn.
More Faroe Islands Travel Guides
Hiking:
Read Best Hikes in the Faroe Islands for a summary of the top hiking trails across the archipelago. Our favorite Faroe Islands hiking trails (north to south):
- Villingardalsfjall Hike, Viðoy Island
- Árnafjørður – Toftaskarð – Katlarnir Circuit Trail, Borðoy Island
- Klakkur Hike, Borðoy Island
- Kallur Lighthouse Hike, Kalsoy Island
- Hvíthamar Viewpoint Hike, Eysturoy Island
- Saksun to Tjørnuvík Hike, Streymoy Island
- Múlafossur Waterfall and Gásadalur Hike, Vágar Island
- Lake Sørvágsvatn and Trælanípa Cliff Hike (Floating Lake Viewpoint), Vágar Island
- Ásmundarstakkur Hike, Suðuroy Island
- Hvannhagi and Lake Hvannavatn, Suðuroy Island
Travel:
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