Mykines & Kalsoy
- Our Adventures
- Jun 10, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 12, 2024
travel time: June 2024
In the Faroe Islands, there is the unique opportunity to visit some islands by helicopter as a form of public transportation. After reading about this, we knew we definitely want to try it. So, a week before our trip, we booked our helicopter flights from Vágar to Mykines and eagerly awaited the day.
On the day of our trip to Mykines, we were fortunate to have very good weather and hardly any wind when we departed at 10:30 in the morning. After a short ten-minute flight, we landed on the island of Mykines.
Mykines is a small island with only eight residents who live there year-round. If you want to hike on the island to see the puffins, you are required to buy a hiking ticket. You can easily do this online in advance (on hiking.fo) or pay upon arrival. When we arrived by helicopter, a small group was already waiting to start the hike. Local guides show you around the small village and provide lots of information about the island and its inhabitants.
Together, we hiked up the hill where the puffins nest in burrows. The local guides ensure that you stay on the path to avoid harming the puffins. Unfortunately, the walk to the lighthouse on the small island is closed due to a landslide some years ago. Instead, you walk up to a viewpoint where you can see many different birds besides the puffins. After the guided tour, you can either return directly to the village or, as we did, continue along the edge to see a bit more of the island.
As a tourist, you are only allowed to fly one way by helicopter, so we returned by boat in the afternoon. Once we reached Vágar again, we drove all the way to the north of Eysturoy to our next hotel. On the way, we stopped in Funningur to capture the picturesque church by the sea.
The next day, we had a trip planned to the island of Kalsoy. From Klaksvík, you can take the ferry to Syðradalur. We booked our tickets the day before, but there were also some cars in line without tickets, and all of them were lucky enough to get onto the ferry.
On the island of Kalsoy, there is only one main route, and we drove all the way to Trøllanes to start our hike. Once you reach the village, you need to pay a "small" hiking fee (200 DKK) to be allowed to hike to the lighthouse. The first part of the hike is quite steep and was muddy and wet when we hiked there. Be prepared and wear good, waterproof hiking boots. After about 20 minutes, it becomes flatter, but not much easier to walk, as you still have to watch your steps carefully.
At the end of the hike, you are rewarded with an amazing view of the lighthouse set against high, rugged cliffs. There are two viewpoints, and from both, you have a fantastic view of the surrounding area.
Close to the lighthouse, you will also find the James Bond gravestone. This area was used to film parts of the movie "No Time to Die" where James Bond faced his ultimate confrontation.
After the hike, we drove to the next village, Mikladalur, to visit Kópakonan, the Seal Woman, and enjoy a cup of tea.
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