Hoydalar Valley

Hoydalar is a scenic green valley located in Tórshavn on Streymoy Island in the far-flung Faroe Islands. The valley is an oasis in the middle of the busy capital city, marking the boundary between Tórshavn and its suburb, Hoyvík.

The stream Hoydalsá flows through the valley and at one point plunges over a dark rock face to become the lovely Svartifossur Waterfall. Around the stream in the spring and summer, you can often spot the Faroese national flower, the buttercup (“Sólja” in Faroese).

Hoydalar is one of the few places in the Faroe Islands where you can find trees. A plantation of primarily pine trees was planted in 1914. You can also find the plant nursery, Skógrøktin, in the valley.

In 1908, a tuberculosis sanatorium was built in the valley. Here, patients could rest and recover in the fresh air. The buildings later housed a local high school until 2018 when teaching moved to Glasir Collage, a modern architectural gem in Tórshavn.

Today, the valley is a protected recreational area that is popular among locals for walks, bike rides or jogs. There are several trails throughout the valley.

Hoydalar offers spectacular ocean views and overlooks Nólsoy Island. Don’t be surprised if you come across sheep along the way – they roam everywhere in the Faroe Islands, even in the capital!

Svartifossur Waterfall

In the middle of Hoydalar Valley, you will find one of the smallest waterfalls in the Faroe Islands, Svartifossur Waterfall.

“Svartifossur” translates to “Black Waterfall” in Faroese, which refers to the dark stone wall behind the cascading waterfall. When there is little rain and the water flow shrinks, this stone wall appears completely black.

The waterfall is most impressive after heavy rain, when the stream Hoydalsá surges and the water rushes dramatically over the stone wall.

Hoyvíksgarður Open Air Museum

Just a short walk away from the valley lies Hoyvíksgarður, a 19th-century farmstead that has been turned into an open air museum. It is part of the National Museum of the Faroe Islands.

Hoyvíksgarður sits above the rocky coastline and offers an insight into traditional farm life in the Faroe Islands. The buildings are original, including the furnishings that date back to the 1920s.

Getting to Hoydalar Valley

Hoydalar Valley is located between Tórshavn and the suburb of Hoyvík. From the city centre, it takes about 30 minutes to walk there.

For those arriving by car, there is a small parking lot 100 metres (0.062 miles) south of Svartifossur Waterfall. You will pass the outdoor athletics stadium, Tórsbreyt, before you get to the parking lot.

Hoydalar Valley From Hotel Hilton Garden Inn

Those staying at Hotel Hilton Garden Inn get easy access to Hoydalar. It takes only 10 minutes to walk from the hotel to the valley.

Those that are staying in one of the hotel’s rooms with a view can see the valley from the windows. From these rooms, you can even spot the Svartifossur Waterfall!

Høgni Reistrup

Høgni Reistrup is the CEO and Co-founder of Guide to Faroe Islands. Born and raised in the Faroe Islands, Høgni has deep roots in the archipelago. He co-founded the marketplace Guide to Faroe Islands in 2018 as a way for travellers to plan and explore the best of the island group.

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