Reipsáfossur Waterfall Travel Guide

Reipsáfossur Waterfall is a remote attraction in the far-flung Faroe Islands. Located far away form the crowds on Vágar Island, this place brings solitude to wondrous travellers.

Getting to this attraction takes some hours on foot. Next to Vágar Airport lies the settlement Vatnsoyrar. Find your way first to Vatnsoyrar and from there further into the valley where the settlement is located.

After around 30 minutes on foot, you will get to Lake Fjallavatn. The trail winds past Fjallavatn, a sizeable lake whose streams meander toward the sea. Continue further afield and you get to two rivers. These rivers are a bit of a challenge as they are tricky to cross with no bridge to get you from one side of them to the other. You may want to remove your boots and wade through the cool waters.

Once across, follow the course of the river Reipsá as the valley begins to open wider. On your left, you will catch sight of a dramatic black sand beach, while ahead, the river transforms into the stunning Reipsáfossur Waterfall. Cascading into a cleft and sending up mist as it tumbles toward the sea, the waterfall marks the dramatic boundary where the valley meets the Atlantic Ocean.

Views from Reipsáfossur Waterfall

As you approach the cliffside, the landscape changes dramatically. A sheer wall of rugged peaks and valleys suddenly appears, forming an incredible backdrop. Rounding a bend, you will find a secluded beach, constantly pounded by the pristine North Atlantic waves. This is also where the abandoned settlement Víkar comes into view.

As you watch the power of Reipsáfossur Waterfall and the otherworldly views from this place, you are some 80 metres (262 feet) above sea level. This vantage point rewards you with some of the most serene views of the Faroe Islands. The crowd-less black sand beach stretches out below, untouched by time. Moreover, expect to see driftwood on the pristine shore.