The hike starts at the crossroads where Landavegur and Velbastaðvegur meet. From there, follow the path down to the river Sandá and then up to the farm, where the path to Kirkjubøur begins. From here, continue uphill. When you have reached the top of the hill, turn around for the good view over Tórshavn out to Nólsoy. When you continue, go around the crag Reynsmúli to the hollow Reynsmúlalág. Here there are two lakes where you might spot Kittiwakes in the summer.

 Follow the cairns and you will see a dais built of rocks. The dais was used for open air folk meetings from the 19th century up to the 1960s. At these meetings speeches were held, patriotic songs (written for the occasion) were sung, and flags were waved. It is easy to imagine how crowds settled on the hill in front of the dais to listen to people like Jóannes Patursson (1866-1946), a pioneer in the Faroese national separatist movement. The tradition of having folk meetings is still alive in the Faroe Islands, e.g., in Tórshavn during the national holiday Ólavsøka, held on 28-29 July.

After Reynsmúlalág, the path continues southwards. En route, enjoy the great views over the islands of Sandoy, Hestur, Koltur, and Vágoy. According to legend, there was a young man from Koltur named Magnus who courted a girl from Hestur. The girl’s father was to be held in the dark about their relationship. So, when the tidal current flowed southward, Magnus swam from Koltur to Hestur to spend time with the girl; when the tide turned, he swam back to Koltur. The girl’s father discovered their trysts. And one day, when Magnus came ashore, the father stood before him with an axe and threatened to kill him. Magnus was forced back to sea and was never seen again, the current undoubtedly dragging him out to sea. The legend has it that as an act of revenge the eddy Grísarnir appeared soon after this in the strait Kolturssund, where it still churns and turns to this day.

As you approach Kirkjubøur, you will see a small islet, Kirkjubøhólmur, which used to be part of the mainland and the village. You can still see the ruins of old houses on the islet. Continue on the path as it moves gradually down to the village and ends by a cattle grid some 50 metres from the nearest houses. 

Kirkjubøur is a beautiful and charming village, where most of the houses are built in the old style. The village has a wealth of attractions such as Kirkjubømúrurin (the ruins of an old cathedral believed to have been built around AD 1300), Stokkastovurnar (the old farmhouses from about AD 1350, built on the ruins of the old bishop’s seat), and Kirkjubøur Church, which is the oldest church in the Faroe Islands still in use. It was built in the 13th century.

The hike can be taken in either direction, going toward Kirkjubøur being a little less strenuous.