Tjørnuvík

Tjørnuvík (pronounced ‘Chu-nu-vik’) is the northernmost village on Streymoy Island in the Faroe Islands. Tjørnuvík is nestled peacefully in a deep valley with no other villages in sight.

There are no more than 55 houses in Tjørnuvík that sit above a wide black sand beach. Numerous small streams flow down the mountains surrounding the village, making for an impressive sight, especially on rainy days. Tjørnuvík is a destination that travellers never regret prioritising on their vacation in the Faroe Islands.

How to get to Tjørnuvík

Most visitors come to the village in a rental car, following a narrow winding road from the neighbouring village of Haldórsvík. The last part of the drive into the village is along a steep hillside with breathtaking views.

It takes an hour to drive here from the capital, Tórshavn, or from Vágar Airport.

Travelling to Tjørnuvík by public transport can be done but requires some planning. Check out the public bus to Tjørnuvík departing from the nearby Eysturoy Island.

What to see and do in Tjørnuvík

This iconic village with a direct view of the sea stacks, Risin & Kellingin, is a must-see for anyone visiting the Faroe Islands. This settlement’s unbeatable location has made it one of the most frequently visited villages in the Faroe Islands.

Enjoy a stroll through the village where there is a small collection of traditional turf-roof cottages, as well as a wooden red-and-white church from 1937.

Don’t miss out on a walk along the lovely black sand beach. There are several stony trails that lead down to the beach, where you will have wonderful views of the sea stacks and the crashing waves.

On most days, there will be clouds hanging above the village due to the height of the surrounding mountains, but this only adds to the atmosphere. During the winter months, you will not see the sun here as it will never reach above the steep mountains.

Hiking in Tjørnuvík

Hike to Saksun

The historic cairn trail between Tjørnuvík and Saksun is one of the most scenic hikes in the Faroe Islands. It connects two picturesque villages through dramatic mountain landscapes, cascading waterfalls and sweeping coastal views. It is a public trail that is free to hike.

From Tjørnuvík, follow the main road past the church to the information sign at the end of the village. The trail starts to the left of the sign and climbs steeply toward the Tjørnuvíksskarð mountain pass, across several waterfalls.

At the mountain pass, take the cairn-marked trail to the left across open mountain terrain, before descending toward Saksun. Near the village, follow the blue trail markers along the final descent, which ends on Saksunarvegur near the small parking lot.

The hike is 7 km (4.35 miles) and takes 4-5 hours one way. It is a moderate hike with a steep climb up to the mountain pass and several waterfall crossings. The last waterfall above Saksun can be difficult to cross after rainfall. Cairns mark the route the whole way. The hike can be done in either direction. To get back to your starting point, you can either hike back, hitchhike or arrange a ride. There is no public bus to Saksun.

Hike to Mount Mýlingur

If you want to experience the iconic cliffs of Mount Mýlingur, it requires a rather steep hike from Tjørnuvík. The first part of the hike follows the cairn trail to Saksun (see above).

Once you reach the Tjørnuvíksskarð mountain pass, leave the main route and follow the trail to the right. It disappears soon after, but just keep going straight for approximately 2 km (1.24 miles) until you get to the viewpoint. Return the same way to get back to Tjørnuvík.

The return hike is 10 km (6.2 miles) and takes around 4-5 hours to complete. It is a moderate hike with a steep climb up to the mountain pass, several waterfall crossings and a long section with no trail.

Hike to Sjeyndir

Near the northernmost tip of Streymoy Island, you’ll find Sjeyndir, a peaceful valley home to only sheep and a lone mountain hut. The valley can only be reached on foot from Tjørnuvík.

The route to Sjeyndir is similar to the route to Mount Mýlingur. It follows the official trail from Tjørnuvík to Saksun, before leaving the trail at the mountain pass. From there, head north and after approximately 3 km (1.9 miles), you will reach the serene valley at the edge of the land. This section of the hike ventures into unmarked wilderness, with no cairns, signs or defined trails to guide you.

The entire return hike is 12 km (7.46 miles) and takes around 5-6 hours to complete. It is a moderate hike with both a steep climb up to the mountain pass and a steep climb down to and up from Sjeyndir. The hike can be combined with a visit to the Mount Mýlingur viewpoint, which will add 4 km (2.5 miles) to the hike.

Short hikes to viewpoints

For those not planning for a strenuous hike, less effort will also do with spectacular pay-off. If you walk for just 10 minutes up the trail towards Saksun, you will be rewarded with a panoramic view of Tjørnuvík.

You can also take a nice walk along the gravel road at the far end of the village, which will give you lovely views back towards the black sand beach and village with the mountainous backdrop.

Services in Tjørnuvík

Before coming to Tjørnuvík, you need to take into account the small size of the settlement. Some facilities such as grocery stores and a gas station are only available in the village of Norðskáli, which lies 16 km (9.9 miles) from Tjørnuvík.

Here is what you will find in Tjørnuvík itself:

• Grocery store: No
• Café: Yes (seasonal)
• Public toilet: Yes
• Parking lot: Yes