Viðoy North Track — Viðareiði to Hvannasund via Viðoy Interior Plateau
Northernmost island, zero coddling.
Viðoy is the northernmost of the Faroese main islands and it does not coddle visitors. The track running from Viðareiði — a village perched on a narrow isthmus with the Atlantic hammering both sides — south across the island’s upland interior to Hvannasund is one of the most exposed driving routes in the archipelago. Expect steep gravel climbs, deeply rutted boggy sections where the track crosses the open moorland plateau, and visibility that can drop to nothing when North Atlantic fog rolls in from the Denmark Strait. The plateau sits around 300–400 metres and the views down into Hvannasund and across to Borðoy are extraordinary when the weather gives you a window.
This is a short route in distance but demanding in conditions — high clearance and 4WD are mandatory, and narrow passing places mean you need real vehicle control. No fuel on Viðoy; fill up in Klaksvík before crossing the causeway. The track is passable from late May through September in a capable vehicle; outside those months expect snowpack and serious ice on the descent. Cell service is thin on the plateau. Bring food, warm layers, and a winch wouldn’t hurt. The reward is genuine isolation at the top of the world.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 7.5 mi / 12.1 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1345 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Klaksvík, Norðoyar |
| Land manager | Faroese Environment Agency (Umhvørvisstovan) |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
What's the minimum rig needed — can a lifted Jimny or stock Land Cruiser handle this?
You need genuine high-clearance 4WD with low-range — a stock Land Cruiser 70/80 series or a lifted Jimny can manage it, but soft-roaders and lifted crossovers will get stuck or damaged on the plateau's muddy ruts and embedded rock steps. All-terrain tires are non-negotiable.
Is this trail passable outside of June–September?
Outside that window, the plateau becomes dangerously unpredictable — snow, ice, and near-zero visibility from Atlantic gales are common from October through May. Faroese weather can shut this down hard even in summer; check forecasts hourly, not daily.
Do you need a permit or permission to drive Viðoy's interior track?
No formal driving permit is required, but the Faroese Environment Agency (Umhvørvisstovan) manages land access and can restrict routes during sensitive periods — check current conditions with them or local authorities in Klaksvík before heading out. Respect any posted closures; enforcement on remote Faroese tracks is real.
What's the hardest section and what actually makes it technical?
The upper plateau approach out of Viðareiði is the crux — loose gravel on steep camber with soft mud shoulders means if you slide off the crown, recovery gets ugly fast with no trees and minimal anchor points. The water crossings mid-plateau are shallow but the approach banks are rutted and slick, demanding careful line selection.
Is there any fuel or resupply between Viðareiði and Hvannasund, and how far is the nearest gas from the trailhead?
Nothing on the track itself — zero services. Klaksvík, roughly 10 km south of Hvannasund via the causeway, has the nearest fuel station. Top off there before you drive to Viðareiði; don't assume Hvannasund has what you need.
Trail track
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