At the northernmost tip of the Faroe Islands lies a towering sea cliff by the name of Enniberg. Looming 754 m (2,474 ft) over the North Atlantic Ocean, it is said to be the world’s highest sea-facing promontory and, thanks to a thriving population of seabirds, has long been a magnet for ornithologists and boat-riding tourists alike. For those of a rambling persuasion, Cape Enniberg marks the turnaround point and scenic highlight of one of the Faroe Island’s most memorable hiking trails.
Planning Information:
- Getting There & Away: The nearest town to the village of Viðareiði is Klaksvik (20 minutes drive south). If you don’t have a car, you can hitchhike or take the #500 from Klaksvík to Viðareiði.
- Permits & Fees: No permits are required. At the time of writing, all hikers will need to pay a 200 DKK fee to the owners of the private property the trail passes through (Tip: You can leave the money in a mailbox near the trailhead gate)
- GPS: 1. Wikiloc GPX Track
- Bird Sanctuaries and Boat Rides: The cliffs of Cape Enniberg and its immediate coastal surrounds are a designated Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA). Notable among its avifauna are colonies of Atlantic puffins, black-legged kittiwakes, European storm petrels, and black guillemots. If you’re interested in experiencing this dramatic coastal environment from a different perspective, consider taking one of the regular boat tours departing from the nearby port of Klaksvik.
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Trail Notes:
The Cape Enniberg Trail begins at Viðareiði village, the northernmost settlement in the Faroes archipelago. After paying your fee to pass through private property, go through a gate and ascend gradually up the grassy hillside. Following a well-defined path marked by blue plastic poles, after approximately 20 minutes of climbing, the grass gives way to rocky terrain.
From this point, the trail becomes considerably steeper, and the tread appreciably looser. Winding your way up through the rock-strewn mountainside, around 100 m (328 ft) below the top of Villingadalsfjal Peak (841 m/2,759 ft), you’ll gain a small plateau. To the immediate northwest, a cairn-marked route continues to Cape Enniberg. The summit course continues northwards, and after a brief scramble, you’ll reach the apex of the third tallest mountain in the Faroes.