Slættanes

Slættanes is an abandoned settlement on Vágar Island in the unbelievable Faroe Islands. It is known for its remote location and spectacular hiking routes.

Slættanes was founded in 1835, and the settlement once had around 130 inhabitants. The last residents left in 1965 because the village had no electricity or road connection.

Today, the old houses still stand beneath the mountains of the northern coast of Vágar. Some are maintained as summer houses by former residents and their descendants. Although the settlement is no longer inhabited, you can explore the settlement by hiking from Sørvágur, Sandavágur or Gásadalur, or see it from the sea on a boat trip along the coast.

Visiting Slættanes gives you a unique insight into premodern life in the Faroe Islands. The atmosphere is peaceful with no motor vehicles for miles around.

It requires a full day of hiking to experience the unpopulated settlement. There are public hiking paths to the Slættanes from several villages on Vágar Island.

Slættanes Lighthouse

Slættanes Lighthouse stands at Slættanestangi, the northeasternmost point of Vágar, approximately 500 metres (0.3 miles) north of the abandoned village. This 5-metre high red lighthouse was constructed in 1927 and is fully automated and unmanned, guiding ships safely to the entrance to Vestmanna Sound.

Two small graveyards belonging to the abandoned village are located respectively 100 metres southwest and 150 metres west of the lighthouse.

Hiking to Slættanes

The easiest way to hike to Slættanes is either from the village of Sørvágur next to the international Vágar Airport or from north of the picturesque village of Sandavágur. The most breathtaking hiking route starts in the village of Gásadalur. All three of these hiking routes are public paths and can easily be combined for an adventurous full-day hike to and from Slættanes.

Hiking to the abandoned village requires good preparation, as the routes cross remote mountain terrain where conditions can change quickly. Check the weather forecast before setting out and wear waterproof clothing and sturdy hiking boots.

Hike from Sørvágur to Slættanes

The trail from Sørvágur to Slættanes starts at the end of Húsadalsvegur in Sørvágur and follows a well-marked cairn route through the uninhabited interior of Vágar Island. The first section climbs steadily towards Lake Fjallavatn, the second-largest lake in the Faroe Islands and one of the top lakes in the Faroe Islands.

From there, the trail continues through a mountain pass with several small river crossings. The route eventually joins the cairn trail from Sandavágur, before descending toward the abandoned houses in Slættanes.

The route is easy to follow thanks to the cairns, but the steep sections and river crossings make it a moderately challenging hike. The hike is 10 km (6.2 miles) and takes around 4 hours one way.

Hike from Sandavágur to Slættanes

The route from Sandavágur to Slættanes starts at Á Halsi (also called Sandavágshálsur), a small parking lot that lies 3.5 km (2.17 mi) north of Sandavágur.

Follow the numbered cairns northwest through the mountains. The trail climbs gradually before passing through open mountain terrain. As you approach Slættanes, the trail continues along the mountainside before descending toward the abandoned village.

The route is well marked by cairns the whole way. It’s a moderate hike with some steep sections and uneven, occasionally wet ground. The hike is 11.5 km (7.15 miles) and takes around 5 hours one way.

Hike from Gásadalur to Slættanes

The most breathtaking trail to Slættanes is also one of the most challenging. It begins in the scenic village of Gásadalur, famous for the Múlafossur Waterfall, and goes through the deep valley before climbing steeply toward a mountain pass.

From the mountain pass, the trail is clearly marked with stone cairns. Follow the cairns on your right hand side going slightly more up, before descending towards Lake Hvilvtkinnavatn, a picturesque mountain lake. Follow the Gullringsá river toward the coast where a hidden black sand beach is located.

Two river crossings are up next. They can be difficult to cross, especially after heavy rainfall, so you might need to remove your shoes and wade over. The trail continues past Lake Fjallavatn before climbing gradually toward a mountain pass. Follow the cairns along the mountainside until Slættanes Lighthouse comes into view. From here, follow the trail 500 metres south until you reach the abandoned village.

The hike is 15 km (9.3 mi) and takes around 7 hours one way. Because of the steep climb up from Gásadalur and the river crossings, it is considered a challenging hike.

Seeing the Ghost Town by Boat

When joining a boat tour to the Vestmanna Sea Cliffs, the boat will sail quite close to Slættanes. This gives you an opportunity to experience the unpopulated settlement from the seaside.

As the boat sails along the coastline where the settlement is located, you will see how far from any other populated places these houses are located. You will pass the settlement both when heading from Vestmanna in one of the boats to the sea cliffs north of the settlement and when returning back to Vestmanna.