Gjógv

Gjógv is the northernmost village on Eysturoy Island in the unbelievable Faroe Islands. The settlement is located at the end of a deep valley with no other villages in sight.

The hamlet bears its name from a beautiful 200-meter-long gorge. The sea-filled gorge in the village has been used as a natural harbour. For centuries the villagers used the natural ravine as their landing ground for boats. There are stairs all the way down to the gorge. Visitors can stand here and enjoy the sound of the sea.

You will have a good view of the sheer westside of Kalsoy Island when in Gjógv. The valley Ambadalur is situated in a northeastern direction from Gjógv. It takes roughly a one-hour hike to reach the valley where you will see the large sea stack Búgvin.

The road from the mountain pass Gjáarskarð and all the way down to Gjógv is quite narrow. It is safe to drive and is a remarkable entry to the village.

There are no more than 100 houses in the settlement. You will also find the guesthouse Gjáargarður in this remote village.

It takes less than an hour to drive from the capital, Tórshavn, to Gjógv. Make sure to walk on the tarred path to the end of the gorge and enjoy the view of the sea-filled gorge.

The Sea Gorge

The sea gorge in the village is located in the heart of the settlement. There is a nice little parking lot as one of the first thing you get to when entering the village. This is the perfect place to park the vehicle if you come by own car. From here, walk down to the village and to the gorge.

Looking at the gorge from the top stairs is such a stunning sight. During the winter months from November to March, you might find the sea gorge filled with white foam.

The surf will crush into the black basalt walls and create a powerful nature experience. You might very well feel the pristine ocean in your face on windy days.

While often wild in winter, the sea is usually fairly calm the rest of the year. During the summer months and the shoulder season, it is perfectly safe to walk into the sea gorge.

The Church

Gjógv is home to a charming white church with a distinctive green pointed steeple. The church stands as a peaceful landmark in this remote hamlet.

A stone wall is built around the church within which you also find the cemetery. The simple yet elegant design features white painted walls that contrast beautifully with the rugged mountain backdrop and the wild landscape surrounding it. Its location against the dramatic terraced mountains makes it a popular photo stop when in the settlement.

Puffins in Gjógv

You will have the chance to see puffins by the deep gorge in the village. Take your time and you will spot them during the summer months from early May to late August.

Just as impressive as the puffins is the view from the village. You will see the strongly raked back of Kalsoy Island where pyramid succeeds pyramid along the full length of the island.

Services in Gjógv

Despite its small size, Gjógv has some fundamental services for visitors. Here is a list of what to find when in the settlement:

• Grocery store: No
• Café: Yes
• Public toilet: Yes
• Parking lot: Yes

Torfinnur Jákupsson

Torfinnur Jákupsson is a renowned filmmaker and screenwriter from the Faroe Islands. Born and raised in the Faroe Islands, Jákupsson has contributed to bring the culture and landscapes of this North Atlantic archipelago to a broader audience. His most notable work is Trom, a Faroese crime drama series that premiered in 2022. Trom was the first major TV series filmed entirely in the Faroe Islands. Based on local crime novels, the series follows a journalist as he investigates a murder and uncovers environmental and political tensions within the community. Jákupsson's compelling storytelling, combined with the stark beauty of the Faroese landscape, earned Trom international acclaim. The series has been broadcasted on BBC in the UK and SBS in Australia among others. Jákupsson explore themes of isolation, identity, and the interaction between traditional and modern Faroese life, resonating with both local and global audiences. He holds a master's degree from University of Westminster in Audio Production.

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