Gásadalur: A Must-See Village in the Faroe Islands

Gásadalur is a small village on one of the Faroe Islands. This place draws visitors from far and wide because of its beautiful sceneries, including the Múlafossur waterfall.

Visitors enjoy the view of Goose Valley, wild geese, puffins, and other sights on Vágar Island. Gásadalur is also ideal for hikers. It is a perfect choice for tranquil sightseeing and long walks.

We will focus on what this small village offers visitors and neighboring attraction sites. Read on to discover how to make your hike there successful and memorable.

About The Gásadalur Village

Gásadalur is one of the most isolated villages in the Faroe Islands of Denmark. This small village is home to a dozen people. Getting there was a difficult task before the single tunnel road was completed in 2004.

The only options for visiting Gásadalur village used to be a strenuous hike around the mountain, a boat ride, or a helicopter flight. These were all challenging, expensive, or both, making it largely inaccessible. This almost made Gásadalur a ghost town.

Over time, the village population declined every year. No one was willing to make the tricky journeys to this small village, sandwiched between two mountains at the corner of Vágar Island. Despite the picturesque features, Gásadalur almost collapsed due to its inaccessibility.

Most people who walked to the Gásadalur had to go through the long, steep slopes of Eysturtindur mountain. The extreme weather conditions made this forced hiking a hell on Earth in winter. It would be best to prepare for the hike because it isn’t a stroll in the park.

A breakthrough came when one of the single-lane tunnels through the Eysturndur mountain was completed in 2006. This road opened the small village to the world, and many more people started visiting Gasadalur.

But since the road through the mountain is only a single-lane tunnel, you must wait at the entrance if there is oncoming traffic.

Villagers and travelers all appreciate the construction of this tunnel road. There has been an increase in the population in the village and the number of people visiting Gásadalur village.

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What to Do in Gásadalur Village

Gásadalur may be smaller than other villages on the Faroe Islands, but it is never short of amazing views and hiking activities. The landscape of Vágar Island is a stunning attraction. Consider doing the following when you visit Gasadalur:

Visit the Múlafossur Waterfall

The Múlafossur waterfall in Gásadalur is a must-see feature when visiting the Faroe Islands. It is one of the best sites because of its stunning view. The drops from this waterfall go straight into the Atlantic Ocean, creating a panoramic view worth your time.

You also get to view the highest mountain on Vagar Island. Árnafjall Mountain rises 722 meters in the air. The landscape around it is breathtaking. Most people who go to Gásadalur village head straight to the Múlafossur viewpoint to glimpse the waterfall.

It is located about 300 meters from the main road, a gravel road that leads directly to this spectacular point. You can park your car right at the junction where the gravel road begins.

The road to the waterfall viewpoint passes through a gate. This gate remains closed to stop sheep from coming down! You can see the waterfall from this point, but it is still not close enough for photography.

Continue walking down the road until you get to the staircase. If you are brave enough, take a walk down the stairs. Be careful because the steps can be slippery, and the handrails are loose.

You will see a warning sign telling you not to go to the water. Some people ignore it – you can also try it, but remember to be careful.

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Watching Puffins in Gasadalur

Puffins are beautiful birds you can see in Gasadalur. You can see them if you hike to the Gásadalur viewpoint. Puffins are freaking cute. Their black coats, white breasts, and colorful beaks add to the panoramic view of Gásadalur village and its surroundings.

Hiking Along the Edge

Hiking is one of the best activities you can do in this village. You should carry your camera to photograph memories of this stunning place. The short hike starts at the gate of the Gásadalur viewpoint. You then take a path crossing the waterfall on a small bridge across the Gásadalur village. From these points, you can see the beautiful views of the island of Mykines.

The full hike starts at a village before Gásadalur called Bour and follows through an old village path that villagers initially used before the car tunnel was constructed. This hike usually takes about 2-3 hours and covers 3.5km.

Hiking along this old path is not a stroll in the park. It passes through a Gasadals Brekkan hill along the route with steep slopes. Going down a steep descent as you approach Gásadalur village would be best.

You need appropriate hiking gear to take on this ever-changing path. Some parts are grassy, but it gets rougher with gravel as you approach Gásadalur village. Don’t attempt it if you have small children.

The first stretch of the Gásadalur hike starts at the tunnel entrance and runs close to the mountain edge. Halfway along the route, you will meet a plaque bearing the word Liksteinurin or “Corpse Stone.”

This was the old resting point for coffin carriers from Gásadalur village. They used to bury their dead relatives in Bour, so the coffins had to be carried up the mountain to get there.

As you continue, you will come across the Vigda spring. This spring also has a rich history that the villagers will be willing to share with you. Further down, you will come to Risasporio, a feature believed to be a giant’s footprint.

The road twists down the slope and ascends to the village of Gasadalur. Here, you will reach the climax of your visit. The features we described earlier are at the end of the road.  

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What To Know Before This Hike

The previously remote village was opened to the world by constructing a tunnel road through the mountain. Nowadays, only a few dare use the old path because of the challenging hike.

Hikes along this old path are challenging. As said, it is not for kids. Secondly, prepare for ever-changing weather conditions. Fog, rain, and strong winds are most common. If it’s foggy in the morning, we recommend rescheduling your hike and considering a clear day.

Dining At Gásadalsgarður Café

Gásadalur may be the smallest village in the Faroe Islands, but it has facilities for visitors’ well-being. A public toilet, guest house, and café serve local Faroese food. The menu consists of traditional Faroese bread with toppings and cakes. You can also find warm drinks for chilly days.

The Gásadalsgarður Café is a multipurpose structure. It also serves as a slaughterhouse for one week every year, usually in the autumn when it is time for slaughter. So, you can expect meat on the menu at the café.   

Other Things to Do When You Visit Gasadalur

Apart from the main activities described, you can do other fun things when you come to the Faroe Islands. Lake Sørvágsvatn offers unique and amazing views. A half-day hike along the shores of the Drangarnir Sea also has things to marvel at during your trip.

If you were unlucky and didn’t see puffins at Gásadalur village, you can also go to Trøllkonufingur viewpoint or take a ferry to Mykines to see them. This journey to Mykines also gives you a hiking opportunity to a historic lighthouse.

Best Times to Visit

Gásadalur is best for a sightseeing outing in the Faroe Islands. That means you want to go there on a clear day, which reliably occurs in summer from late May to August. This is the perfect time to see the iconic puffins around this village.

It is okay to visit this village at any other time of year. However, you will miss out on some of the best things to see here, and the winters can be quite unforgiving.

How To Get There

You can get to this small, isolated village by different means. What you choose depends on your preference, and the following are the available options:

Rental Car

A rental car is the best way to reach Gásadalur village from Vagar Airport, about a 20-minute away.

Public Transport

Another alternative is public transportation, but you must know the bus route and schedules.

Walking

You can walk for an hour from Bour village to Gasadalur. This takes about one hour. Another option is to walk from Sandavagur near Vagar Airport to Gasadalur, a 7-hour journey. Both routes involve passing through rough terrains that are difficult to climb and virtually impossible for young kids.

Guided Tours

A guided tour is the best option for first-time travelers to the Faroe Islands. Experts familiar with all the routes in the Islands will help you plan your trips. They also know the best spots with panoramic views to fulfill your trip goals, but they come at an extra cost.

Many guided tours to Gásadalur exist. You might get overwhelmed with the options, but you can consider the following:

• Wonders of Vágar Island 
• The Photography Tour 
• Highlights of Vágar Island
• Wonders of Vágar Island
• The Photography Tour
• The Gásadalur Winter Tour

Where to Stay When You Visit Gasadalur

Gásadalur is a small village with only 26 houses. Fortunately, it has accommodation services for guests. You can stay at an Airbnb next to the café or Mulafossur Cottages. It is more unique but a little bit pricier.

If you want to explore the entire Faroe Islands, the central city of Tórshavn is where you should find accommodation services. They are more comfortable, less exposed to the elements, and located near other facilities. You can choose one from the following recommended hotels:

• Hotel Hafnia
• Hotel Tórshavn
• Havgrim Seaside Hotel 1948
• 62N Guesthouse
• Hilton Garden Inn Faroe Islands
• Hotel Føroyar
• Hotel Brandan

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