Backpacking in the Faroe Islands: Exploring Saksun on Streymoy Island

The Faroe Islands are a sensational place for the avid backpacker. My journey through 7 of the 18 islands in a magical 6 days here will live long in my memory. I toured Gasadalur, Sorvagur, Midvagur, the north eastern islands, Lake Sorvagstvatn, Gjogv, Kirkjubour and the capital city of Torshavn, but an unexpected highlight was the settlement of Saksun.

About Saksun
Saksun is a tiny settlement which appears to be three bursts of scattered villages joined by two roads. It has a population of 30 and is near the northwest coast of the Faroese island of Streymoy.

Saksun lies in the bottom of what used to be an inlet of the sea, surrounded by high mountains. The inlet has since formed a natural harbour, until a storm blocked the inlet with sand. This made the old harbour become an unaccessible seawater lagoon. It is only accessible by small boats on high tide, however it’s on one of the scenic routes to drive. We hired a car to get out here.

I was based in the marvellous Hotel Foroyar in Torshavn and the drive out here took around 45 – 50 minutes. You don’t need to leave the island of Streymoy, head north and then turn left off the 10 road at Hvalvik, onto the scenic 53 road which takes you straight to Saksun. There is a small pond and an information board on arrival in Saksun. The road is one way and narrow at parts of it, so drive slow and carefully and pull over if anyone comes the other way and has right of way.

Here are the things you can check out when in Saksun, Streymoy, Faroe Islands.

1.Saksun Church
Saksun Church has a bit of a story to it. The church was originally built in Tjørnuvík, but in 1858 it was disassembled and carried over the mountains to Saksun, where it was reassembled. It’s the most prominent building in the settlement.

Like all the other churches in the Faroe Islands, there is also a Cemetery here.

 

2.Inlet at Saksun
The inlet which was once easily accessible from the sea is a sight of outstanding beauty. There are some hikes and walks to do here up the cliff face.

3.Waterfalls at Saksun
All around you are waterfalls here and they are quite mystical, slow and scattered. There are no majorly fast gushing falls here like the Kaieteur Falls in Guyana, but the range i

4.Lake at Saksun
On the drive into the town there is a cool, small and pristine lake. It is here where local fishermen fish (you need a permit) and it is here where the magical journey to Saksun begins. You can park here and walk to Saksun, or as we did just drive to the three different parts of it to save time.

5.Saksun Museum
The Museum in Saksun occupies a seventeenth century farm house called Dúvugarður. The house belongs to the Dúvugarður farm, still an active sheep farm with approximately 300 ewes. It wasn’t open on our visit, and Saksun was very quiet. In fact we weren’t even sure which building was the museum, as was listed in one of our guide maps.

Saksun is a small place, and unless you are hiking or spending time taking professional photos, you’ll only need an hour or so to see everything here. The Faroe Islands continue to intrigue us – beautiful place.

 

Here are some videos from my time touring Saksun: