Mountaineering to the World’s Highest Promontory

On the northernmost tip of the Faroe Islands lies a towering sea cliff by the identify 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.

Yours really gazing westwards from Cape Enniberg.

Notice: The Cape Enniberg Path was certainly one of 26 featured hikes in my newest e-book with Gestalten Publications, Wanderlust Nordics. A lot of the knowledge beneath has been tailored from that publication. The e-book is already obtainable in Europe and shall be launched within the US and different elements subsequent month.

At a Look

Distance: 7.7 km (4.8 mi)

Common Length: 4-5 hrs

Issue Degree: Average to difficult

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

Begin/End: Wooden rage, Viðoy Island

The rock-strewn slopes of Villingadalsfjal Peak (841 m/2,759 ft).

Planning Data:

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 Viðareði.

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 personal property the path passes by means of (Tip: You possibly can depart the cash in a mailbox close to the trailhead gate)

Chicken Sanctuaries and Boat Rides: The cliffs of Cape Enniberg and its instant coastal surrounds are a delegated Vital Chicken 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 serious about experiencing this dramatic coastal setting from a special perspective, contemplate taking one of many common boat excursions departing from the close by port of Klaksvik.

Views in direction of Kunoy Island on the best way to the cape.

Path Notes:

The Cape Enniberg Path begins at Viðareiði village, the northernmost settlement within the Faroes archipelago. After paying your payment to go by means of personal 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 provides technique to rocky terrain.

Heading up the grassy hillside in the beginning of the path.

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

Wanting again towards the village of Viðareiði and the pyramid-shaped Malinsfjall (750 m/2,461 ft).

Following the cairns from the Villingadalsfjall junction to Cape Enniberg.

The summit of Villingadalsfjall (841 m/2,759 ft), the third highest mountain within the Faroe Islands (Notice: The knife-edge ridge to Cape Enniberg will be seen within the background).

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 high-quality 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.

Winged guardians and cliff-hugging trails.

Yours really at Cape Enniberg with the summit of Villingadalsfjall within the background.

Gazing eastwards from the Cape.

Notes & Musings

A Seaside Church and a Momentary 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 facet of city, a former model of the constructing was destroyed by an enormous storm within the seventeenth century. In line 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 great of us of Hvannasund returned the lacking caskets to their neighbors in Viðareiði, the place they have been promptly reburied.