Saksun is a village located on the island of Streymoy in the Faroe Islands. To be honest, calling it a village is being generous since the population is only 9 people. Whether it should qualify as a “village” or not doesn’t matter, since its natural geography is truly breathtaking.
Saksun is a perfect location to see the traditional Faroese grass roofed houses, waterfalls, and then begin a gorgeous canyon hike leading to a black sand beach.
The tides can affect whether the trails are available or not, so make sure you plan ahead to enjoy this epic hike.
Also, one quick warning, the people of the Faroe Islands are known for being super friendly, but the one Saksun resident we met was quite grouchy to have people constantly taking pictures next to his property and told us he felt like a “zoo animal.”
I felt a little bit bad for him, but at the same time I wanted to warn him that word is getting out just how beautiful this area is and more people were likely to come.
What makes Saksun so Special?
In my opinion, the best thing to do in Saksun, and what makes it stand out above all the other villages in the Faroe Islands is not the grass roof homes or waterfalls (although those are amazing as well). It is the Saksun Lagoon walk to the black sand beach.
This hike was unlike anything I have ever done before. It was so unique I felt like I was on another planet.
Yes, you have to pay a small fee, but omg it is so worth it. Trust me, you can’t find anything else like it. l’ll include all the details you need to know on this hike below.
There are also numerous waterfalls in the village of Saksun. You can’t miss them coming down the mountains. They will grow in volume dramatically during and after rain.
Saksun Location
Saksun is on northern side of the island of Streymoy. This is the biggest of the Faroe Island islands. That being said, the whole island is only about 144 square miles. This island is also home to the biggest city in the islands (Torshavn). It is only a 45 minute drive from Torshavn to Saksun.
Saksun Faroe Islands Map
Hiking in Saksun
There are two main hikes in Saksun. The Ut á Lónna (Saksun Lagoon Walk) and the hike from Saksun To TjornuvÃk.
1. Ut á Lónna (Saksun Lagoon Walk) – Approximately 5km
A huge perk of the Faroe Islands is the unique geographic features that can’t be found anywhere else in the world.
The Saksun Lagoon Walk (known as Ut á Lónna) is a truly unique hike. I’ve done hikes on almost every continent of Earth, but was one of my favorite walks I did in the Faroe Islands.
It is a 2.8-mile out-and-back trail. The trail is flat the entire way. It will take you to an amazing, remote black sand beach! Make sure to go near low tide or you won’t be able to access it.
Important! – You will only be able to complete this hike during low tide. When the tide is too high the trail is covered with water. More on that below.
Saksun Lagoon Walk Cost
At the very beginning of the trail you will come across a gate with a payment system. They accept card only.
It costs 75 DKK to do this hike, or about $10.50 US. I hate having to pay for any hike, but trust me this one is worth it.
Why do you have to pay for the hike? You have to pay to hike in Saksun because much of the land around the village is privately owned by local farmers.
In the Faroe Islands, a significant portion of the countryside is privately owned, and landowners have the right to charge fees for access to trails and hiking routes on their property.Â
What to Expect on the hike
I visited in October, and even during low tide, the water levels were higher than usual. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to reach the black sand beach, but I decided to give it a shot.
It required a bit of walking and climbing over some rocks, which I hadn’t anticipated, but it was definitely manageable.
When I arrived, there was a seal lounging on the beach!
2. Saksun To TjornuvÃk Hike
Tjornuvik is another charming village in the Faroe Islands. It is also much bigger than Saksun.
For those that are a little bit more adventurous you can go on a 7 km/4 mile (one way) hike between these two villages. Unless you want to get creative by dropping a car off at the other end, you may have to do a 14km/8 mile hike.
While on this hike you will go up and down mountains, observe mountain lakes, cross over streams, and see tons of sheep!
Where To Stay In Saksun
There are currently (2023) only two options for accommodation in the tiny village of Saksun, and it’s debateable whethere they are actually in the village or not. That being said, they are worth checking out.
Here are two options we recommend in Saksun:
- Saksun Bed & Breakfast: One of the few places offering overnight accommodation in Saksun, this small bed and breakfast provides a simple and cozy stay with views of the mountains and lagoon. It’s a great option for those who want to be right in the heart of Saksun.
If you aren’t interested in staying in Saksun, I recommend checking out the capital city of the Faroe Islands, Torshavn, since it is only 45 minutes away from Saksun and the site of lots of restaurants, grocery stores, and other attractions..
The capital is a small city of only 13,000 residents, but they are well accustomed to visitors with lots of things to see and do.