It was around 4 a.m. when I arrived to my Faroe Islands apartment from the ferry terminal. I tip toe quietly, like a mouse, so I do not disturb anyone. Exhausted, I fall asleep quickly, excited to wake up in a few hours to see my surroundings in the light of day.
I roll out of bed and see it is 1030 a.m. I make coffee and get my first glimpse of the Faroes from my apartment, and chills run down my spine. I have a website listing various hikes, and I just randomly pick one for today’s adventure.
The drive to my first hike showcases the beauty of this area, with waterfalls streaming down the mountain sides almost everywhere I look. Between those and the quaint seaside villages, I have a hard time focusing on the road itself. Eventually though I make it to the Gonguturur route trailhead. The winds this close to the sea are strong, and a good, firm foothold to the trail will be needed so I don’t get blown off the cliffs and into the sea.
Slow and steady it is as I get started. My lack of sleep combined with the stunning scenery requires extra focus on my part so that I stay on trail and don’t slip and cause any injuries. I just can’t believe I’m actually hiking in the Faroe Islands. I make it to the summit of the mountain I’ve been climbing, and looking down into the valley on the opposite side I see a sight previously only viewed in pictures.
This infamous waterfall was not what I thought would be at the end of my first hike, and I can’t believe I’m seeing such an icon on day one of my journey here. After spending some time soaking in the area, I turn around and look at the steep climb I have before me, as I need to go back up and over the mountain.
I eventually make it back up to the summit, with the occasional sheep keeping me company. The views keep taking my breath away, the sea air cleaning out my lungs, the empty landscapes fill my soul with hope.
Heading back down to my car, a new sense of freedom takes over, one that I’ve not felt previously. For whatever reason, the remote nature of the Faroes has changed me internally into a wild spirit, more so than I ever have been before. I need not drink or chemically alter my brain. There is something here more powerful.
I can’t wait to see what happens to me over the next week and half. If day one here is any indication, it could be life changing.
