Hvannhagi and Lake Hvannavatn Hike, Suðuroy Island, Faroe Islands

Hvannhagi is a remote valley on Suðuroy Island, the southernmost island in the Faroe Islands. Its main attraction is Lake Hvannavatn, which lies in the middle of the valley surrounded by steep mountains. 

It takes 1:25 hours to hike from the village of Tvøroyri to Lake Hvannavatn. 

When we planned this hike, the main source of confusion was the return route. In the newest Visit Suðuroy brochures, the trail is described as an out-and-back hike. At the trailhead, the hiking info board further confirms this. 

That being said, the “Hiking in the Faroe Islands” booklet by Visit Faroe Islands describes a lollipop-circuit trail. From Lake Hvannavatn, it’s possible to continue the hike to the southern part of the valley and scramble up through the Frostgjógv gorge. This path brings you to a sheep pen and then later connects to the trail from Tvøroyri. 

We decided to stick with the “official” out-and-back trail, though the circuit does look more interesting.

Update | I recently reached out to Visit Suðuroy about this discrepancy and they said that the Frostgjógv gorge return route isn’t safe. There’s a lot of loose gravel and rocks, which can be challenging for hikers who are not familiar with the area and terrain.

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Hvannhagi Hiking Map

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Where to Start the Hvannhagi Hike

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Tvøroyri Hospital, Suðuroy Island

Tvøroyri is the village on the north side of Trongisvágsfjørður fjord, just opposite the Smyril ferry terminal on Suðuroy Island. 

The hike to Hvannhagi starts at the hospital in Tvøroyri. You can park along Traðarvegur road (Google Maps). 

Getting to Suðuroy Island is very straightforward. From Tórshavn, the capital of the Faroe Islands, take the Smyril ferry to Suðuroy. The ferry departs several times a day. The sailing time is 2 hours. 

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Hvannhagi Trail Description 

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Tvøroyri to Ovari Vegur Road (10 minutes)

Walk up Sjúkrahúsbrekkan road. 

Just beyond the hospital, there’s a pedestrian path that leads left to a pocket of woods. 

The path enters the gated wooded area and then angles up a slope, parallel to the fjord. Soon, the trail joins the paved Ovari Vegur road. 

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Ovari Vegur Road to Hvannhagi Trailhead (20 minutes)

Follow the paved road northwest. The path passes farmsteads with free-roaming chickens, geese, and sheep. Views extend to the fjord the whole time.

After 14 minutes, you’ll come to a gate with a no car/no motorcycle sign. Pass through the pedestrian gate on the right and continue following the road. 

After another 6 minutes, you’ll arrive at the Hvannhagi trailhead, marked with a hiking info board bolted to a large rock.

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Hvannhagi Trailhead to Lake Hvannavatn (1 hour)

Follow the orange posts. 

After the gate (to the outfield), the trail veers right and ascends along the fence. After a steep start, the gradient eases. The trail continues northwest across a grassy slope sprinkled with a few rocks. 

The way rises northeast to a wide pass between Skornasaklettur (286 m) and Fjallið (259 m). From here, views open up to the coast and the small uninhabited islands of Lítla Dímun and Stora Dímun. 

The path gently descends towards the coast. 

Off to the right, you’ll see a sheep pen, next to a stream.

After passing through the gate, the trail drops down steeply along a fence. This stretch of trail is very rugged and uneven. You’ll likely need to use your hands at times to avoid slipping. 

The narrow path eventually levels out and continues in a northwest direction with the windswept coast on your right and a vertical cliff on your left. 

After crossing a wooden staircase over a rockwall fence (basically a fancy stile), it’s another 8 minutes to Lake Hvannavatn. 

Cross the boulder studded slope and you’ll soon see Lake Hvannavatn. The circular lake dating back to the ice age is bordered by a crescent of steep mountains. 

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Lake Hvannavatn to Tvøroyri (1:30 hours)

Return along the same route. If you’re interested in the circular route via Frostgjógv gorge, I would ask the Visit Suðuroy tourist office in Tvøroyri if it’s open. 

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Where to Stay on Suðuroy Island

It only takes 45 minutes to drive the full length of the island from Sumba in the south to Sandvík in the north. So, wherever you stay on the Island, you’re within easy driving distance to other villages and attractions. 

We stayed in BRIM B&B, which is a darling bed and breakfast in Vágur. Another option in Vágur is Lovely Holiday Home in Vágur with Hot Tub and Sauna.

You can also stay directly in Tvøroyri at this Nice one-story house in Suduroy (2 nights minimum stay). 

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Faroe Islands Travel Guides

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Hiking Trails

Read Best Hikes in the Faroe Islands for a summary of the top hiking trails across the archipelago. Our favorite Faroe Islands hiking trails (north to south):

• Villingardalsfjall Hike, Viðoy Island 
• Árnafjørður – Toftaskarð – Katlarnir Circuit Trail, Borðoy Island
• Klakkur Hike, Borðoy Island
• Kallur Lighthouse Hike, Kalsoy Island 
• Hvíthamar Viewpoint Hike, Eysturoy Island
• Saksun to Tjørnuvík Hike, Streymoy Island
• Múlafossur Waterfall and Gásadalur Hike, Vágar Island
• Lake Sørvágsvatn and Trælanípa Cliff Hike (Floating Lake Viewpoint), Vágar Island
• Ásmundarstakkur Hike, Suðuroy Island
• Hvannhagi and Lake Hvannavatn, Suðuroy Island

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Trip Planning Guides

• Faroe Islands Itinerary 
• How to Visit Suðuroy Island
• Best Faroe Islands Hotels

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