Klaksvík – Hálsur – Klakkur
You walk from the ferry landing through the town and then along a partly asphalted gravel
road, Ástarbreytin (the Love path), which runs right up to Hálsur. People with cars may park their cars there.
Even though the path up to Klakkur is not well marked, it is very easy to find. Standing at
the outfield gate, you head for the highest point north of you. There is also a cairn that you see straight away and can use as a landmark. You start walking through old peat fields. It is grassy all the way up to Klakkur with scarcely a single tiny stone. This is one of the few places where it is possible to ski in the winter.
Many birds breed here: The Oyster-Catcher, Arctic Skua, Snipe, Golden Plover, Whimbrel,
and Lesser Black-Backed Gull. Ravens can also be seen, and Rock Pipits inhabit the remains of peat stores.
In the valley just south of Hálsur is what the old folk called á Vaktini (on the watch). The story says that it was here that people sat watching out for hostile ships.
When you have nearly come right up the mountain and you look down the west side, you
can see Fagralíð. Here, the Folk High School, which was founded in 1889, originally stood, until it was moved to Tórshavn. Símun av Skarði, a Faroese writer and poet, composed the national anthem here in 1906.
Arriving at the top of Klakkur, you have an excellent view in all directions (the way down is
steep, so beware). Westwards, you can see Leirvíksfjørður with Gøtunes, Mjóvanes and, in good visibility, also Nólsoy towards the south. Northwards, you can see Kalsoy and the fjord Kalsoyarfjørður. You can see three villages on Kalsoy. The southernmost is Syðradalur, and then comes Húsar and Mikladalur. Further north is Trøllanes, which you cannot see. In front of you, there is the magnificent Kunoyarnes.
On average, Kunoy is the highest island in the country. There are six mountains over 800 meters.
Eastwards, you can see Haraldsund, and finally you have Klaksvík spread out below you.
There were originally four villages here: Í Uppsølum, Í Gerðum, Á Myrkjanoyri and Í Vági.
When you come down from Klakkur, you see Halgafelli in front of you and then Háfjall. On the other side of Klaksvík, you see Myrkjanoyrafjall and Kjølin (The Keel, because it looks like the keel of an upturned boat).
Source: “Walking in the Faroe Islands” published by the Faroese Tourist Board in 2003.
