Mountain climbing to the World’s Highest Promontory

On the northernmost tip of the Faroe Islands lies a towering sea cliff by the title of Enniberg. Looming 754 m (2,474 ft) over the North Atlantic Ocean, it’s mentioned to be the world’s highest sea-facing promontory and, due to a thriving inhabitants of seabirds, has lengthy been a magnet for ornithologists and boat-riding vacationers alike. For these of a rambling persuasion, Cape Enniberg marks the turnaround level and scenic spotlight of one of many Faroe Island’s most memorable mountaineering trails.

Notice: The Cape Enniberg Path was one among 26 featured hikes in my newest ebook with Gestalten Publications, Wanderlust Nordics. A lot of the knowledge under has been tailored from that publication. The ebook is already accessible in Europe and might be launched within the US and different elements subsequent month. 

At a Look

Distance:  7.7 km (4.8 mi)

Common Period:  4-5 hrs

Issue Stage:  Reasonable to difficult

Whole Elevation Achieve: 1,306 m (4,285 ft)

Begin/End:  Viðareiði, Viðoy Island

Planning Info:

• Getting There & Away: The closest city to the village of Viðareiði is Klaksvik (20 minutes drive south). In case you don’t have a automobile, you possibly can hitchhike or take the #500 from Klaksvík to Viðareiði.

• Permits & Charges: No permits are required. On the time of writing, all hikers might want to pay a 200 DKK payment to the homeowners of the non-public property the path passes by (Tip: You possibly can depart the cash in a mailbox close to the trailhead gate)

• Chook Sanctuaries and Boat Rides: The cliffs of Cape Enniberg and its fast coastal surrounds are a delegated Necessary Chook and Biodiversity Space (IBA). Notable amongst its avifauna are colonies of Atlantic puffins, black-legged kittiwakes, European storm petrels, and black guillemots. In case you’re fascinated about experiencing this dramatic coastal setting from a distinct perspective, think about taking one of many common boat excursions departing from the close by port of Klaksvik.

Path Notes:

The Cape Enniberg Path begins at Viðareiði village, the northernmost settlement within the Faroes archipelago. After paying your payment to go by non-public property, undergo a gate and ascend steadily up the grassy hillside. Following a well-defined path marked by blue plastic poles, after roughly 20 minutes of climbing, the grass offers technique to rocky terrain.

From this level, the path turns into significantly steeper, and the tread appreciably looser. Winding your method up by the rock-strewn mountainside, round 100 m (328 ft) under the highest of Villingadalsfjal Peak (841 m/2,759 ft), you’ll acquire a small plateau. To the fast northwest, a cairn-marked route continues to Cape Enniberg. The summit course continues northwards, and after a short scramble, you’ll attain the apex of the third tallest mountain within the Faroes. 

From the summit of Villingadalsfjal, retrace your steps again to the junction on the aforementioned flat space. From this level, observe the cairns northwest throughout the rock-strewn mountainside. In positive climate, it’s easy-going; in thick fog with driving wind and rain, rather less so. After roughly two kilometers, you’ll attain Cape Enniberg. When it’s time to return to civilization, retrace your steps again to the bottom of Villingadalsfjall after which observe the blue posts steeply all the way down to Viðareiði.

Notes & Musings

• A Seaside Church and a Non permanent Relocation: Both earlier than or after your Cape Enniberg tour, take a while to discover the charming trailhead village of Viðareiði. Established within the 14th century, foremost amongst Viðareiði’s points of interest is its picturesque church. Positioned by the seashore on the western aspect of city, a former model of the constructing was destroyed by a large storm within the seventeenth century. In keeping with native folklore, quite a few coffins from the church’s cemetery have been washed out to sea throughout the tempest. Within the following days, the caskets drifted again to land on the close by village of Hvannasund. After discerning the origins of their surprising guests, the nice of us of Hvannasund returned the lacking caskets to their neighbors in Viðareiði, the place they have been promptly reburied.

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