GB
Welcome to Suðuroy
the most southerly of the Faroe Islands
Cleft by deep fjords, Suðuroy is a most picturesque island
that has much to offer the visitor - from historic Sandvík in
the north to the beautiful, natural scenery of Sumba in the
south. The two largest towns, Tvøroyri and Vágur, are situated on beautiful fjords surrounded by mountains.
All of the island’s towns and villages are linked by a network
of modern roadways, which affords easy access to a variety of
fascinating landscapes. The northernmost villages of Hvalba
and Sandvík are connected by one of the oldest tunnels in
the Faroe Islands. Hvalba, by the way, is the only place in the
Faroe Islands where you can still find coal-mining operations. From either of these two villages, there is a magnificent
view of Lítla Dímun, the only uninhabited island in the
Faroes.
On the southernmost tip of Suðuroy is the village of Sumba,
which is the birthplace of one the best loved and perhaps
most controversial poets in the Faroe Islands, Poul F. Joensen, known simply as Poul F.
When travelling to and from Sumba by the mountain road,
you will travel near the second-highest cliff in the Faroe Islands. Beinisvørð, towering at 469 m, is a haven for seabirds
and is a veritable wonder to behold because of its singular
beauty.
Upon your arrival in Suðuroy, please stop by the tourist information offices in Vágur or Tvøroyri. It would be our pleasure to help create the perfect itinerary just for you so that
your stay will be a truly unforgettable experience. To help
you better plan your visit, we can provide detailed information about the many interesting excursions that we offer and
you are welcome to ask any question you might have.
Opening Hours
The tourist office in Vágur: Mon. - Fri. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
The tourist office in Tvøroyri: Mon. - Fri. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Saturday (summer only): 10 a.m. -12 p.m.
Welcome!
Emergency services 112
Police, Suðuroy, Tel 371448, Tórshavn, tel 351448
Country code + 298
Accommodation
Bed & breakfast, tel 374342 / 372480
Hotel Bakkin, Vágur, tel 373961
Hotel Øravík, tel 371302
Hotel Tvøroyri, tel 371171
Cottages, tel 374342 / 372480
Youth hostel Vágur, tel 370320
Guesthouse Undir Heygnum,Tvøroyri tel 372046
Scouthouse in Tvøroyri, tel 372480
Camping is only permitted at approved campsites.
Restaurants & cafés
Cafe Art, Tvøroyri, tel 371669
Hotel Bakkin, Vágur, tel 373961
Hotel, Tvøroyri, tel 371171
Hotel, Øravík, tel 371302
Café & Pub Thomsen, tel 371007
Broadway, Vágur (Bowling, restaurant & discotek) tel 374999
Gallery & Museum
Bondahúsið uttan Ánna, Sandvík, tel 372480
Galleri Oyggin, Tvøroyri, tel 371669
Sea and Village Museum (Sjó & Bygdasavnið), tel 372480
Porkeris museum, Porkeri, tel 373176
Sjósavnið í Stóra Pakkhúsi, Vágur, tel 373438 / 210438
Ruth Smith Gallery, Vágur, tel 279301
Useful information
Pharmacy, Tvøroyri, tel 371076
Hospital,Tvøroyri, tel 371133 / 371134
Banks
Føroya Banki, tel 373444 / 371032
Føroya Sparikassi, Tvøroyri, tel 371040
Suðuroyar Sparikassi, tel 359870
Bus and ferry information, www.ssl.fo or tel 343030
Rent a Car, Porkeri, tel 574200
Movie Theatre, Tvøroyri, tel 371088
Post Office, Tvøroyri and Vágur
Taxi
Tvøroyri, tel 252627 / 282931 / 250350
Vágur, tel 210184 / 373961 / 222918
Taxi - Buses
Hvalba, tel 375161 / 222690
Tvøroyri, tel 252627 / 226566
Vágur, tel 210184
Sumba, tel 593552
FURTHER INFORMATION & TOUR BOOKINGS
Tourist Information in Suðuroy:
Vágur: tel + 298 374342, Fax + 298 374442,
mail: [email protected] & [email protected]
Tvøroyri: tel + 298 372480, Fax + 298 371814,
mail: [email protected]
© Kort & Matrikelstyrelsen (A. 78-06)
in the mountains south
1 Walk
of Vágur, to the top of Rávan
4
2 Walk to Hvannhagi
3 Walk from Tvøroyri to Fámjin
4
4 Coach trip to Hvalba and Sandvík
trip to the southern
5 Coach
part of Suðuroy
tour to Kaspars6 Walking
holan, near Sumba
2
tour to Uppi
7 Walking
ímillum Stovur in Øravík
3
8 Walk from Vágur to Fámjin
7
8
1
6
5
Information
Suðuroy offers a full range of events throughout the year. Of special interest is the regional summer festival,
Jóansøkufestivalurin, which is held during the last weekend of June. The rowing competitions featuring Faroese
rowboats are not to be missed. On the festival there are also concerts, different kinds of exhibitions, as well as
sports events.
Throughout the year the are different events in the art gallery “Gallary Oyggin” in Tvøroyri. The local museum in
both Tvøroyri and Vágur are also open regularly. Furthermore different cultural events are arranged in the towns
and villages on Suðuroy, ranging from Faroese Cultural nights, to concerts with choirs, rock bands, individuals,
and different kinds of exhibitions. Keep informed on upcoming events at www.kunning.fo.
Difficulty of the tours
Easy
Medium Hard
1
Walk in the mountains
south of Vágur, to the
top of Rávan
2
Walk to Hvannhagi
The walk to Rútafelli and the top of
Departure point:
Rávan takes you out in the most beautiful By arrangement
Time:
part of the Faroese nature, from views
By arrangement
over bird-cliffs and the cliffs west of
Day:
By arrangement
Vágur, to the view to the impressing
Duration:
Beinisvørð to the south.The walk starts
2½ hours
at the Tourist office in Vágur, from
Min./max.:
5/20 pers.
where we walk/drive up the old road to
Availability:
Eggjarnar. The walk to the top of Rávan
1. May - 15. Sep.
starts by the old road, from where we
first walk to the top of Rútafelli, which
offers an unforgettable view over the
bird­cliffs and cliffs below. From Rútafelli
the walk goes to the top of Rávan. On the route we pass
by three ravines, which go down trough the birds-cliffs to
the shoreline beneath the cliffs. After a stop on the top
of Rávan, where you enjoy your packed lunch (which you
bring with you), the walk goes back to Vágur, via a small
lake, Longutjørn.
Because of its location, Hvannhagi has
some of the most beautiful and unusual
nature on Suðuroy. The excursion to
Hvannhagi sets off from the end of
the highest road in Tvøroyri, known
as Hvalurin. You follow an old path
across the mountain. When you reach
the northern side of Suðuroy, you will
have an amazing view of the two small
islands, Lítla Dímun and Stóra Dímun.
Following a steep, narrow path, you
descend to the inland lake at Hvannhagi.
Good to know
Good to know
Please take special care of the countryside and the birds. Sturdy footwear is recommended.
Departure point:
Trongisvágur
Time:
By arrangement
Day:
Saturday
Duration:
3 hours
Min./max.:
5/20 pers.
Availability:
Year-round
The excursion is a little strenuous, but
really is worth the effort.
Please take special care of the countryside and the birds. Sturdy footwear is recommended.
3
Walk from Tvøroyri to Fámjin
Fámjin is well situated on the west coast
of Suðuroy and affords a spectacular vista
of sea and mountain, especially at sunset.
The excursion to Fámjin sets off from
the old coalmine at Trongisvágur. We
follow the old path around Oyrnafjall
and pass the beautiful lake of Kirkjuvatn,
nestled in the mountains above Fámjin.
In Fámjin, we will visit the church, which
holds a special place in the hearts of the
Faroese. A young student from Fámjin
designed the first Faroese Flag, Merkið,
in 1919 and the original now hangs in
the church. After our walk, coffee and
Faroese pancakes will be served in the
village hall. We return to Tvøroyri by
coach.
Good to know
Departure point:
Tvøroyri
Time:
By arrangement
Day:
By arrangement
Duration:
3 hours
Min./max.:
5/20 pers.
Availability:
1. May - 15. Sep.
Please take special care of the countryside and the birds. Sturdy footwear is recommended.
4
Coach trip to Hvalba
and Sandvík
This excursion to Hvalba and Sandvík is a Departure point:
special opportunity to travel back into
By arrangement
time. The first stop on our trip is the only Time:
By arrangement
working coal mine in the Faroe Islands.
Day:
Here, coal is still excavated by hand using By arrangement
Duration:
pick and shovel. Hvalba is an ancient
3 hours
village with an interesting history. Many
Min./max.:
are the tales that are told of Hvalba. While 4/20 pers.
Availability:
we are there, we will seek out the old
Year-round
natural harbour of Fiskieiði. Driving on to
Sandvík, we relive events from the Faroese
sagas. On the shore at Sandvík, the bearer
of Christianity to the Faroe Islands, the
Viking Sigmundur Brestisson, was killed around 1,000 years
ago, brought low by treachery and deceit. We also visit an
old farmhouse called Bóndahúsið uttan Ánna, which dates
from 1860. The farmhouse museum features artefacts from
that era in Faroese history. On the return journey, we stop
at Trongisvágur, where, after a short walk, we can enjoy
the dramatic western side of Suðuroy with its magnificent
natural scenery and rich bird life. Field glasses are available
at at Trongisvágsbotnur to enable you to study the bird life
more closely.
Good to know
Field glasses are available from 15. April - 1. October.
Welcome
to Vágur
Vágs Kommuna
Vágsvegur 22
FO-900 Vágur
Tel +298 373024
Fax +298 373539
e-mail: [email protected]
5
Coach trip to the
southern part of Suðuroy
The tour first visits Vágseiði to the west of Departure point:
the village of Vágur. Here your guide will By arrangement
Time:
provide a brief introduction to the rich
By arrangement
history of the area, as we savour the rather Day:
rugged and breath-taking countryside. The By arrangement
excursion then continues to the top of the Duration:
4 hours
headland Beinisvørð, where we have the
Min./max.:
amazing and rather dizzying experience of 7/20 pers.
being at a height of 469 metres high atop Availability:
Year-round
the spectacular mountain. On a clear day,
you can see most of the Faroe islands
stretching out to the north. Our coach then continues to
Sumba and we stop at Pollinum, the local and very special
boat harbour. On the return journey, we visit the famous
lighthouse at Akraberg known as Vitin á Akrabyrgi, located
on the southern tip of the Faroe Islands. Another stop on
our journey home is at the woollen mill,
Ullavirkið, in Vágur, where unique clothing and jumpers are
made from pure Faroese wool. The final stop on the tour is
at the distinctive village of Porkeri, where we will visit the
beautiful and well-preserved wooden church that dates from
1847.
Good to know
The ground floor of Heimavirkið, a unique shop in the heart of Vágur, offers special respite
facilities for visitors, including toilets, showers, washing machines and dryers. A special
selection of woollen goods and souvenirs is available.
6
Walking tour to Kasparsholan, near Sumba
The walk sets off from á Hestinum near
Departure point:
Beinisvørð. We walk along the mountain Sumba (á
until we come to that part of the country­ Hestinum)
Time:
side in Sumba called Blæing, where
By arrangement
Day:
Kaspars­holan (Kaspar’s Hollow) lies.
By arrangement
There is a multitude of stones and
Duration:
boulders scattered around the ground in
3 hours
Blæing, so much so that the area reminds Min./max.:
5/20 pers.
one of shingle on a beach. There are
Availability:
many nooks and crannies among the
1. May - 15. Sep.
rocks and one of these crannies is called
Kaspar’s Hollow. Two brothers, Kaspar and Sjúrður, rented
land from the priest in Vágur. The rent, however, was so
high that they had scarcely anything left for themselves. At
one point, the brothers were on the verge of starvation and
so decided to try sheep rustling. The stealing of sheep was a
most hateful crime and severely punished. Kaspar’s Hollow
later became
their hiding place. As we make our way back to á Hestinum,
if the day is perfectly clear, we can see as far as the northern
reaches of the Faroes. If we pause to look towards the south,
we will be treated to a wonderful view of the most southerly
points of the Faroe Islands - Munkin and Flesjarnar.
Good to know
In Sumba village the Faroese dance is something special and the people in the village are
known for their unique dancing spirit.
7
Walking tour to Uppi
ímillum Stovur in Øravík
The walk sets off from Hotel Øravík
Departure point:
near the old farming village of Øravík.
Hotel Øravík
Our destination is a place known as Uppi Time:
By arrangement
ímillum Stovur, the place where ancient
Day:
Vikings from the surrounding area would Sundays
gather for their annual spring council meet­ Duration:
2 hours
ing. Both legend and recorded history
Min./max.:
5/20 pers.
pro­vide many tales about the dramatic
Availability:
judgements and events that took place
1. May - 15. Sep.
here. One famous tale is the trial of Snæ­
bjørn, the hapless farm labourer from Hvalba who lived in
the 16th century. He stood accused of buying 4 kerchiefs
for his beloved from a passing Dutch ship in violation of the
royal trade monopoly.
Before his sentence could be executed, he escaped into the
hills. He remained in the mountains a lonely and desperate
man for years, although some say he escaped to Shetland.
We continue our walk to Gálgagjógv, where wrongdoers
were hanged, hence its name, the “gallows gorge”. This is
a most pleasant walk lasting around 30 minutes. Visiting
these distinctive and historical
places, surrounded by beauti­ful
unspoilt countryside, is a
peaceful and unique experi­
ence. The excursion ends back
at Hotel Øravík, where we
can relax over coffee and fresh
made crepes served with jam.
Good to know
33?LYSING?XPDF
Suðuroy resounds with interesting legends and stories. Indeed, there are many fascinating
legends connected with Øravík and Hvalba.
8
Walk from Vágur to Fámjin
The old mountain path between Vágur
and Fámjin was originally the “main road”
between the two towns. The path goes
trough beautiful nature in the mountains
north of Vágur and runs along the cliffs
to the west.
The walk starts at the Tourist Office
in Vágur, from where we drive/walk
up the old road, which ends by the lake
Ryskivatn. From the road we follow the
old mountain path north of Ryskivatn
and through Reyðabakka to Fámjin.
From Fámjin we go by car/buss back
to Vágur, where coffee/the is served in
Stóra Pakkhús.
Good to know
Departure point:
By arrangement
Time:
By arrangement
Day:
By arrangement
Duration:
3 hours
Min./max.:
5/20 pers.
Availability:
1. May - 15. Sep.
Please take special care of the countryside and the birds. Sturdy footwear is recommended.
Attractions
Sandvík
The old farmstead dating from around 1860,
withartefacts from days of old.
Open by appointment, Tel 374342/372480
Hvalba
The only working coal mine in the Faroe Islands. Visits
by appointment, Tel 372480
Tunnel
Ferry
Bus
Town/Villages
Helicopter
/
Climate
The weather in the Faroe Islands
is maritime and quite changeable,
from mements of brilliant sunshine to misty hill fog, to showers.
The Gulf Stream encircling the
islands tempers the climate. The
harbours never freeze and the
teperature in winter time is very
moderate considering the high
latitude. The average temperature
ranges from 3°C in winter to 11°C
in the summer. In sheltered areas,
the temperature can be much
higher, but the air is fresh and
clean no matter what the season.
Tvøroyri
The Royal Danish Trade Monopoly buildings
(today called T.F. Thomsen). Wooden church built in
1907, open by appointment, Tel 372480
Fámjin
Village church from 1876, where the first
Faroese Flag is preserved, open by appointment,
Tel 374342 / 372480
Porkeri
Timber church from 1847.
Open by appointment, Tel 374342/372480
Vágur
Woollen mill (Ullavirkið), exclusive Faroese
knitwear featuring pure Faroese wool. Tours can be
arranged, Tel 374006 / 374342
Natural wonders
Field glasses are available at Trongisvágsbotnur so you
can study the bird life more closely.
Natural harbour at Vágseiði, with its
magnificent and rugged landscape.
The headland of Beinisvørð,
towering at 469 m.
The lighthouse at Akraberg,
on the southern tip of the
Faroe Islands.
See birdcliffs with Scorpion, Tel 213359
or Mars, Tel 210438
Tourist Information
Centres in Suðuroy
The Tourist Information Centres in Eysturoy are not liable for
printing errors or scheduling changes that may occur.
Layout: cre8 458006
Publisher: Tourist Information Centres in Suðuroy
Tvøroyri tel 372480 - Fax. 371814 - [email protected]
Vágur tel 374342 - Fax. 374442 - [email protected]
Distributor: Touristinformations in Suðuroy
& Faroe Islands Tourist Board
Photographer: Henrik Solberg, Heidi Kilgour, Tórður Poulsen
Cover photo: Nes, Hvalba
2006/2007