Faroe Islands Travel Forum

Hey guys!
I'm a 20 year old New Zealand guy, spending some time in the faroes this summer, probably may-ish...
I want to hang out with locals, learn a wee bit of the faroese language, and hike over each island. I dont know what else goes on in the faroes, so who knows what else ill be doing!
im aware that there is no public land in the faroes, so campings a bit dodgy. Is it possible to stay with locals? is hitching possible? Would any of the faroe locals on VT be interested in meeting up?
cheers
kyle

Hitching is easy, I was offered a lift without sticking out my thumb.

Wild camping is forbidden, but there are some campsites and youth hostels dotted around the islands. See http://www.farhostel.fo for details.

The locals are all pretty friendly, could prove difficult to get someone to put you up though, I'm not sure I'd invite a stranger into my own home after all.

For public transport info see http://www.ssl.fo

Thanks for your replies!
I know may isnt summer, but its not too cold around then- ill be coming off a scottish winter, so it shouldnt be too bad.
Ive been told public transport is wonderful; but i actually just want to hitch, gives it a bit more of an adventurous feel!
Id just be looking to meet locals, not necessarily be put up for the night, although any offers would be hugely appreciated!
if anyone else has any ideas or comments that might be useful, please reply!
cheers
kyle

Hi. I spent 3 weeks in the faroe islands in july 2005. The hitch-hiking there is the best in the world ! I thought japan was great but faroes is better, almost always a ride the first time you put your thumb out. Always helps to have a smile on your face when hitching and look friendly. Great people and almost all of them speak better english than us ! 3 weeks is a long time in faroes so if you have less time than that you can still see a lot.
The weather can be a drama and extremely changable and at times the winds are wild. It is best to have a plan A and a plan B based on the weather turning bad. If the weather looks good go to places where you have to use the ferries such as Mykines (pronounced mitch-en-ez). You can camp almost anywhere due to the fact there is plenty of space with no-one around. There are a limited number of hostels as a back-up. If you have limited time, don't do to the few southern islands, they're good but the best scenery is in the north-east and north-west. The ferry ride that goes to svinoy and fugloy is wonderful and I camped one night on fugloy. Recommend going to Mykines and camping or staying at the hostel. again, if the weather messes up your plans, it is so easy to get around that you can easily retrace your steps if you have to, eg. go to get a ferry, find out it can't go due to weather, go somewhere else then hitch back to the ferry another day. The ferry to Mykines is the only one you need to phone ahead for. There's a timetable of all the transport you can get at the info centre. The BEST thing i did in the fareos was to take a helicopter between islands. There is 1 chopper with a limited schedule for the locals but if there is room even tourists can book and get on. I did Mykines to Vagar but would have loved to have flown back from fugloy. I can't stress enough the idea of booking a chopper ride as soon as you can so that if it is cancelled or you love it you can book another. I wish I did 3 trips and as the fares are subsides for the locals, it's a bargain ! Don't be put off by my emphasis on the weather, even the locals said it was a bad summer and in the end it didn't ruin my time at all, you just have to be flexible in your timetable.
PS. If you start from Torshavn, walk out of town and start hitching, if I did that the first day I was there I would not have caught the one and only bus in my time there ! If you want more info let me know.