Lake Sørvágsvatn, Faroe Islands, Day 114 August 3rd 2019
The impetus to visit the Faroe Islands had come from an art exhibition. A large poster-sized photograph of Sørvágsvatn lake and Bøsdalafossur in an exhibition in Russia. The photo showed a lake hanging above a cliff, over the sea – it was immediately added to our ever-growing ‘must visit’ list.
Given this significance my plan was to wait until Chris returned to visit the iconic lake. The second challenge was weather – foiled by fog and rain – we wanted a clear day for views on the 8km round trip walk. By the 3rd August time was running out. We planned an early morning bus to Midvagur where the walk began. Alas – heavy cloud, rain and mist. Too comfortable in our lovely apartment we stayed where we were and decided on the 12.40 bus.
As we travelled from Torshavn to Midvagur the rain ceased, the mist cleared, while not sunny it was fine. I had already sussed the walk when staying nearby heading straight to the path behind the houses that lined the main road.
The well trod path was sparse with people. Each stretch of the walk along the lakeside bringing views of the sharp granite cliffs, green slopes, and across the lake. At the end of the lake Incredibly rock formations, views of the steep sharp cliffs down to the sea and down to the coast with the largest lake in the Faroe Islands – Lake Sørvágsvatn alongside.
Viewing the waterfall and cliffs beyond we got talking to a young man who had also been on the bus. We spent the remaining time together chatting madly in the brief time we had. Reuben was truly a man of the world – multilingual, had lived and studied in Iceland, grew up in Australia. Now in the Faroes to present a concert where music represented the knitting culture of the island.
As we moved along the cliffs’ end it was apparent many images of the falls are taken from the air. There was a spot down the cliff to take the iconic photo – the one that made it appear the lake was suspended above the sea. We did not seek it out being quite happy with the stunning views already before us.
Like much of the scenery we had seen it is larger than life. Steep, straight green topped cliffs dropping into the ocean. Jagged rocks sharply rising and sloping back to the green pasture. For me it had the effect of taking a deep breath – somehow calming. A a reminder there is more than you in the world.
Both of us tired from the sea air, and the good walk we decided on dinner in our cute little kitchen. If I could take the stove with me I would! Testing my new quick fish soup out on Chris with fish from the harbour market. Delicious.
