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.

Yours actually gazing westwards from Cape Enniberg.

Notice: The Cape Enniberg Path was considered 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 out there in Europe and can be launched within the US and different components subsequent month. 

At a Look

Distance:  7.7 km (4.8 mi)

Common Period:  4-5 hrs

Issue Degree:  Reasonable to difficult

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

Begin/End:  Viðareiði, Viðoy Island

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

Planning Info:

• Getting There & Away: The closest city to the village of Viðareiði is Klaksvik (20 minutes drive south). If you happen to don’t have a automobile, you may 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 price to the homeowners of the non-public property the path passes by way of (Tip: You’ll be able to depart the cash in a mailbox close to the trailhead gate)

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

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

Path Notes:

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

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, comply with 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 comply with the blue posts steeply right down to Viðareiði.

Winged guardians and cliff-hugging trails.

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

Gazing eastwards from the Cape.

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 sights is its picturesque church. Situated by the seashore on the western aspect of city, a former model of the constructing was destroyed by an enormous storm within the seventeenth century. Based on native folklore, quite a few coffins from the church’s cemetery had 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 sudden guests, the great people of Hvannasund returned the lacking caskets to their neighbors in Viðareiði, the place they had been promptly reburied.

The storied church and graveyard of Viðareiði.

Viðareiði Church with the islands of Kunoy and Kalsoy within the background.

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