Lake Vatnsdalsvatn

Vatnsdalsvatn is a small freshwater lake on Vágar Island in the breathtaking Faroe Islands. Known for its unique shape like a heart, this lake is a perfect destination for a romantic hike.

Located high up in the mountains, it is among the most secluded lakes in the Faroe Islands. Its name literally translates to “Water Valley Lake” in Faroese.

It is the third-largest lake on the airport island, Vágar, after Lake Leitisvatn and Lake Fjallavatn. Another small lake on the island, Lake Hvilvtkinnavatn, is also a mountain lake and even more remote than Lake Vatnsdalsvatn.

Hike to Lake Vatnsdalsvatn

Whether you’re on a romantic getaway or just a keen hiker wanting to see one of the most unique lakes in the Faroe Islands, this hike is for you!

The hike starts on the right side of the road between the villages of Sørvágur and Bøur, about 1 km (0.62 miles) from Bøur. Look for a gate close to a large waterfall, which marks the beginning of the trail. You can park in a lay-by 200 metres (0.124 miles) further down the road toward Sørvágur. This all happens less than 5 km (3.1 mi) from Vágar Airport.

Follow the trail uphill along the river Breiðá. The climb up is steep and there are a few small streams to cross on the way. The distance from the road to the lake is around 1 km (0.62 miles) and it takes roughly one hour to reach the lake shore.

To see the characteristic heart shape of the lake, you need to hike up a bit to see it from above. The best view of the lake is found atop Mount Snældansfjall, which rises 617 m (2.024 ft) northwest of the lake. When hiking up to the lake, the mountain is on your left-hand side.

The hike up Mount Snældansfjall is steep, but you don’t have to hike up far to see the heart starting to take shape.

For the best view of the lake, walk out to the right of the mountain ridge before reaching the summit. A cairn marks the summit. From the top, you can also see the iconic Tindhólmur Islet as well as the famous Drangarnir Sea Arch.

If you do the full hike to the lake shore and mountain summit and back, it is around 6 km (3.73 miles) and takes 3-4 hours for the return hike.

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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