Skopun

By Verified Expert

Skopun is a village on Sandoy Island, which is one of 18 isles in the Faroe Islands. It has a spacious harbour which used to be the port of entry for Sandoy Island before the 2023 underwater tunnel linked it to Streymoy Island.

Today, the harbour is only used by locals and visitors. If you take a walk along the harbour, you will see several small fishing boats owned by the locals.

Skopun is the youngest settlement on Sandoy Island, founded in 1833. It was established as a strategic stop for travellers, since it was positioned at the only location on the island that boats could safely reach from all directions, regardless of the weather.

After its establishment, the village grew as a fishing village whose residents did not own land and therefore focused on fishing. Today, it’s the second-largest village after Sandur. In 1917, the two were linked by the first road in the Faroe Islands.

From Skopun, you can enjoy great views of Streymoy Island and Hestur Island.

Skopun settlement
The houses in Skopun are tucked around the harbour area.

Hike to Líraberg Cliff

The mighty Líraberg Cliff can be reached on foot from Skopun.

Set off through the colourful houses in Skopun, following the Høvdarhagavegur road west. The road to the trailhead is 2.3 km (1.4 mi). Once you have walked to the end of the tarred road, red-painted wooden sticks will guide you the last part of the hike, up the hill to the vantage point. The last part of the hike with grassy surface is only 700 m (0.4 mi).

Toward the end of the trail, cross a stile over a fence and then keep following the red poles to the viewpoint ahead. Return the same way to get back to Skopun. The entire hike is 6 km (3.73 miles) and takes 2-3 hours to complete.

At Líraberg, you will find solitude and wonderful views of rock formations and endless ocean. Check out the weather forecast for Skopun in order to experience the sights without any low-hanging mist covering the cliffs. Come here during golden hour and the scenery will be even more magical!

Líraberg Cliff
The amazing views of the Líraberg Cliff. Photo by Guide to Faroe Islands.

Services in Skopun

Skopun is one of those small settlements in the Faroe Islands that despite its size comes with some basic services. Here is a list of what you can find when in Skopun:

  • Grocery store: Yes
  • Café: Yes
  • Public toilet: Yes
  • Parking lot: Yes

With its colourful houses, going for a walk in the settlement is worth it. There is very little traffic here which adds to the relaxed feel.

Smiling person in jumper and with hat

Mads Fyllgraf

Mads Fyllgraf is an adventurous explorer, photographer, and videographer. Born in western Jylland in Denmark, the fresh waves hitting the shore and the winds blowing in from the north, has seen him indulge in the Faroe Islands. Mads holds a Bachelor in International Hospitality Management and has years of experiences from the outdoor recreation sector.

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