Borðoyarvegur Mountain Road — Klaksvík to Ánirnar via Borðoy Interior Plateau
Borðoy's wind-scoured plateau, no tourists.
Borðoy is the largest of the northern Faroese islands and most visitors never get past Klaksvík’s harbor. But push north and west onto the old sheep tracks that climb the interior plateau and you’re on ground that feels genuinely untraveled. The road deteriorates fast once you leave the tarmac above Klaksvík, threading through steep-sided valleys before cresting the open moorland above 400 meters. Wind here isn’t a weather condition — it’s a terrain feature. The track follows historic grazing access routes toward the lonely outfields around Ánirnar, with views across Hvannasund and the cliffs of Viðoy dropping away to the north. Stone-marked bøur boundaries cut across the plateau, and in poor visibility the route demands careful navigation with a proper map.
This is genuine high-clearance territory — narrow, loose gravel with eroded ruts and sections that turn greasy turf after rain, which is most of the time. A capable 4×4 with a locking differential and all-terrain tyres is the minimum. No fuel between Klaksvík and any northern village, so top up before you leave. The track is passable June through September but can close after autumn storms. No formal permits, no dispersed camping infrastructure — bring your own water and plan to be self-sufficient. The reward is the northern islands laid out beneath you with almost zero other traffic.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 9.3 mi / 15 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1476 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4x4 with locking diff |
| Nearest town | Klaksvík, Borðoy |
| Land manager | Faroe Islands Government / Local Municipality |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
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Frequently asked questions
What's the minimum rig to run this trail — can a lifted Hilux or Defender handle it stock?
You need a high-clearance 4x4 with a locking differential — this isn't optional on the plateau sections. A stock Defender 110 or similarly equipped Hilux is workable, but soft-roaders and unlocked crossovers will get stuck or damaged. Bring a recovery kit regardless.
When is Borðoyarvegur actually drivable, and what happens if weather rolls in mid-route?
June through September is the reliable window — snow can linger on the plateau into late spring and return early in autumn. Faroese weather can shift from clear to zero-visibility fog and 60mph gusts in under an hour, so if conditions look sketchy in Klaksvík before you leave, they'll be worse on the exposed ridge.
Do you need a permit to drive across the Borðoy interior plateau, and are there any fees?
No formal permit is required as of now, but the track crosses active grazing land managed by the local municipality and landowners — close every gate you open. Driving restrictions can be imposed during lambing season or after extreme weather damage, so check locally in Klaksvík before heading out.
What's the hardest section and what actually makes it technical?
The upper plateau approach out of Klaksvík throws loose, wet gravel on steep off-camber shelves with minimal run-out — if you lose traction there, the consequences are serious. Water crossings mid-route can run fast and deep after rain, and the track surface degrades significantly the further north you push toward Ánirnar.
Is there any fuel or resupply between Klaksvík and the northern end, and what's the gas situation on Borðoy?
There is no fuel, food, or assistance available once you leave Klaksvík — the plateau is genuinely remote for the Faroes. Fill up in Klaksvík before departure; it's the only real town on the island and has a station. Cell service is spotty across the ridge, so don't count on calling for help if something goes wrong.
Trail track
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