The Lake Over the Ocean – The Faroe Islands

Sørvágsvatn, or the Lake Over the Ocean as it’s also known, is one of the most photographed sites in all of the Faroe Islands. It’s also one of the most amazing natural optical illusions out there. Because of the way that the lake sits on the edge of the land, and the fact that you take it all in from above, it looks like this big, beautiful lake is just hovering hundreds of feet over the ocean. In fact, it’s really only about 90 feet over the ocean.

QUICK INFO ABOUT THE LAKE OVER THE OCEAN

⋙ LOCATION: It’s located on the island of Vagar just a few minutes from the airport. The trailhead is on a piece of land just outside of the heart of the town Sandavágur.
⋙ HIKING DISTANCE: The hiking trail is 6km (about 4 miles) round trip. It’s an out and back trail.
⋙ WHY IT’S NOTABLE: It’s notable for the overlook that gives the optical illusion. There’s also a waterfall where the lake runs off into the ocean known as Bøsdalafossur. Plus, there are two myths tied to this lake that you can experience on this lake. However, the lake over the ocean overlook is easily one of the most popular, and most instagrammed sites of the Faroe Islands.
⋙ WHERE TO STAY: We stayed at Giljanes Hostel which is just about a 5 minute drive from the trailhead. You could even walk here, if you did so very carefully. This hostel is bare bones in the rooms, but the owners are very hospitable and their breakfast (you have to pay extra for) is very reasonably priced for the Faroe Islands. For more ideas of where to stay, click the banner below.

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The Hike to the Lake Over the Ocean

The hike to the lake over the ocean is a pretty quick hike. It’s about 4 miles roundtrip. Most of the hike is relatively flat until the steep climb at the end to get the ‘lake over the ocean’ vantage point. This trail is one of the most maintained that we encountered in all of the Faroe Islands. In addition to being well maintained, it also has so many viewpoints, cute sheep that line the paths and yet, still a wildness about it. In fact, we loved this hike so much that we did it twice.

The path to the quintessential lake over the ocean view is on private land, but the land owners have graciously opened their land up for people to enjoy this natural marvel and, get this, for free. They have rules posted and all they ask is for you to abide by those rules.  The path along the lake is absolutely beautiful. Be sure to wear good, water-resistant hiking shoes (I love my Moab Merrels), because you have to cross over some small sections of flowing water. Plus, there can be puddles and some marshy land depending on the amount of rain there has been.
After a while, the trail winds around to the edge of the land and you’ll start to see the sheer faces of the edge of the island. The water on a clear day is strikingly teal and you see these massive cliffs looming over the waves. If you look closely in the left photo above, you can see the people on the top of that cliff. That’s where you get that epic view of the lake over the ocean.  
Looking out from that vantage point of the lake over the ocean. If you look a little to the right out over the cliffs beyond the lake, the view is just stunning. I took a seat and soaked it all up.
The highlight of this gorgeous hike, though, is this awe-inspiring view of the lake over the ocean.

A Note About Hiking in Foggy Weather

Hiking during foggy weather can be extremely dangerous. This comparison of the same cliff during clear skies and fog shows you just how easy it could be to lose your way or not realize there’s a ledge. Plus, the trails are unpaved and the grass can be extremely slick.
Side note, we love World Nomads for travel insurance, which I recommend for any hiking trip. Trust me, I broke my arm hiking in Thailand and they took care of me!

There’s More to See Than Just the Lake Over the Ocean at Sørvágsvatn

BØSDALAFOSSUR – THE WATERFALL INTO THE OCEAN

Bøsdalafossur is a 30 meter waterfall that’s created by the runoff of the lake over the ocean. It’s very easy to miss because there isn’t any signage that would lead you there. Also, the trail is less clear getting to the waterfall than it is to the well-worn path to the famous overlook. Doing this part of the hike adds just about 30 minutes more (total) to the entire hike. The flow of the falls is very dependent on the amount of rain that there has been.
 
While this waterfall is nowhere near as spectacular as the more famous and nearby Mulafossur Waterfall, it’s still a beautiful waterfall and adds something more to this experience. We went to the waterfall on an especially foggy day, but on a clear day the view down the coastline is absolutely unbelievable.  Just looking at the edge of the lake, you would never know that this tapered off into a stunning waterfall that spills out into the ocean.  There are a few stacked cairns that let you know you’re right on track. This is the one closest to the waterfall and it marks that you’ve arrived.

THE TROLL WOMAN’S FINGER FROM THE LAKE OVER THE OCEAN TRAIL

The Troll Woman’s Finger is a sea stack that some avid rock climbers take tours to climb, or attempt to climb. Only do this if you’re experienced AND with a guide as only a select few have made it to the top. That being said, you don’t have to be a rock climber to enjoy this 313 meter, stunning rock formation. We enjoyed just taking it in from the trail, and it’s worth doing just that.

Also, this finger is attached to a Faroese myth. The legend goes that a troll woman came to pick up the Faroe Islands and just throw them over to Iceland. You know, as trolls do…. However, she didn’t do it quickly enough. The sun came up and turned her to stone. She fell into the ocean, but she was so large that her outstretched finger still shows above water to this day.

THE NYKUR STATUE – AKA THE NIX

Just down the road from the airport, at the other end of the lake, is this beautiful horse statue. However, this isn’t just any horse. This statue is tied to the Faroese myth about the Nykur. In English they call it the Nix. This shapeshifter takes the form of a beautiful horse and lures people to pet him. However, if someone touched his tail, they’d become permanently attached. Then the Nix takes them to the depths of the lake, and therefore their death. Apparently the Nix was about to take a boy named Niklas and when his little brother yelled after him, “Nix,” because he was too young to be able to say the full name and suddenly the Nix vanished. Apparently, if you say his name he will lose all of his power. I love insights into cultures and legends like this, and I’m so grateful to this beautiful, roadside tribute.

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Although the Lake Over the Ocean is the most iconic, and most spectacular, part of a visit to Sørvágsvatn, there’s so much more to do here. Don’t miss out on all of the myth and beauty this lake has to offer.

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