Lake Fjallavatn Travel Guide

Fjallavatn is a freshwater lake in the far-flung Faroe Islands. Surrounded by breathtaking mountains on Vágar Island, this attraction can only be reached on foot after a half-hour hike.

Close to the only airport in the Faroe Islands, nestled in a sweeping valley of peaceful fields, lies the small settlement of Vatnsoyrar. This quiet settlement, cradled by the surrounding hills, is the gateway to a hidden gem: Lake Fjallavatn. Tucked deeper into the valley, the lake offers a great nature experience for hikers seeking solitude and natural beauty. This is one of the most secluded lakes in the Faroe Islands.

When starting your journey to this attraction on Vágar Island, drive through Vatnsoyrar and continue for approximately 2 kilometres (1.2 miles). Just follow the unpaved path on the valley floor. Eventually, you will get to a small, unpaved parking lot on your right, which marks the trailhead.

This is where your hike begins. From here, you will set off on foot, making your way across the rugged, tussock-filled landscape toward the tranquility found at Lake Fjallavatn. Along the lake’s edge, a few scattered cottages sit quietly, adding a touch of cultivation to the wild terrain.

From Lake Fjallavatn to Reipsáfossur Waterfall

As you follow the trail along the lower shoreline, prepare yourself for some muddy encounters with bogs and rivers. This is a part of the adventure that only enhances the experience for those wearing water proof hiking boots.

The trail hugs the right side of the lake, often skirting along rocky beaches. Reaching Lake Fjallavatn from the trailhead takes about 30 minutes, while a leisurely circle walk around the lake itself will take just more than an hour.

For those travellers eager to extend this trek, continue hiking beyond the northernmost point of the lake. After another 1.5 kilometres (0.9 miles) you reach the shoreline.

Water from Lake Fjallavatn supply the river Reipsá. The river culminates into a cleft creating a misty atmosphere and the moody Reipsáfossur Waterfall.