Faroe Islands - what is your experience?

[Wheelie]

I know, the Faroe Islands is not Iceland - but it is a common stopover when taking the ferry between Denmark and Iceland. And this thread fits better here than the Europe section.

I did Iceland a few years back. It was a wonderful trip, and I am considering doing it again. Last time I shipped my bike in and out by ship, and travelled by airplane myself - this in order to free up time to get more time to ride my bike on Iceland.

Right after my plane landed I took a taxi straight from the airport to the docks and picked up my bike. A few hours later I was on my way into the interior - no rest for the wicked. I went straight across the middle of the island in two days. I then followed the coast westwards and went out to the western fjords with a few stopovers along the way. From there I went down the west coast and back to Reykjavik - where I dropped off my bike. I ended my trip with a couple of days barhopping in Reykjavik, before flying back home. Except for one day with impossible wind gusts, seeming to come from all directions, forcing me off the road at even slow speeds - the going was easy.

If I go again, I am contemplating adding Faroe Islands to my itinerary either to or from Iceland - going by ferry. I might take the ferry both directions, or only one direction and ship+fly in the other - like last time.

What would you do? Spend more time in Iceland or split your trip between Faroe Islands and Iceland?

How much time would you spend on Faroe Island? I felt that 10 days was more than enough in Iceland. With Faroe Islands being so small, how much time is enough? Is it worth it? Comparatively to Iceland - how good is it?

Lastly - would you opt for Faroe Islands at the beginning or the end of the trip? I read someone else's experience - saying that Faroe Island bleaked in comparison and that he was therfore happy that he did the Faroe Island first.

If you also have a suggested itinerary for Faroe Island - that would be good. I prefer having a roof over my head, a hot shower and eating my meals at a table - most days. But I am no stranger to roughing it.

[AnTyx]

Originally Posted by Wheelie

Lastly - would you opt for Faroe Islands at the beginning or the end of the trip? I read someone else's experience - saying that Faroe Island bleaked in comparison and that he was therfore happy that he did the Faroe Island first.

I would do it later, since this is part of the ferry deal - if you stay over on Faroe on the way back, you don't pay for the bike to be on the boat at all.

My understanding from other people's trip reports is that where Iceland is large and provides long drives, the Faroes are more concentrated. More amazing things in close proximity. And it's an opportunity to relax a little bit and come down from the long driving stages, do fewer kilometers per day and see more things on foot and close up. Whether you would prefer to do that as a "warmup" or "cooldown" is down to your personal preference.

[Tomkat]

Iceland and the Faroes are on my plan for a northern trip, and depending on covid restrictions I may be doing this early summer next year. Looking at the research I did a few months ago, the plan was to head to Iceland for a week then stop on the Faroes for 3 days.

[jfman]

Can you stealth/wild camp on the Island?

[Guest122]

Same here, waiting for Covid to go away... I wanted to stop off at the Faroe Islands and then to Iceland. However, I read somewhere the Ferry is weekly but there for two days before departing for Iceland. So if it is true? You are there a few days or a week before moving on to Iceland. I'm not in a rush and I plan on going to Greenland (just flying it) after Iceland.

[AnTyx]

https://www.smyrilline.com/sailing-s...-schedule-2021 - it's all there.

The Faroe stopover seems to be due to the fact that the ferry does a circuit-and-a-half. Denmark-Faroe-Denmark-Faroe-Iceland-Faroe-Denmark. So one of your legs will be the one that never goes to Iceland, just back to Denmark.

[AnTyx]

Originally Posted by jfman

Can you stealth/wild camp on the Island?

Iceland: https://www.ust.is/english/tourist-i...access-rights/

"Camping with no more than three tents is allowed on uncultivated ground for a single night, unless the landowner has posted a notice to the contrary. However, campers should always use designated campsites where they do exist. Do not camp close to farms without permission. If a group of more than three tents is involved, these campers must seek permission from the landowner before setting up camp outside marked campsite areas.
It is illegal to spend the night in tent trailers, tent campers, caravans, camper vans or similar vehicles outside organised campsites or urban areas unless the land owner or rightholder has given their permission."

Faroe Islands: https://www.visitfaroeislands.com/pl...ation/camping/

"Because there are no public wildernesses or common areas in the Faroes, camping is only permitted at designated campsites. Moreover, it is not permitted to spend nights in camping cars along roads, at rest stops, laybys or view areas. Be aware that many campsites are designated only for tents."

[Kenny013]

Originally Posted by AnTyx

https://www.smyrilline.com/sailing-s...-schedule-2021 - it's all there.

The Faroe stopover seems to be due to the fact that the ferry does a circuit-and-a-half. Denmark-Faroe-Denmark-Faroe-Iceland-Faroe-Denmark. So one of your legs will be the one that never goes to Iceland, just back to Denmark.

So one could:
depart Hirtshals (Denmark) July 31 15:30 ,
arrive Tórshavn (Faroe Islands) August 1 22:30,
depart Tórshavn (Faroe Islands) August 4 18:00
arrive August 5 8:30 Seyðisfjørður (Iceland)
I'm planning this trip for this period, stay in Iceland for 2 or 3 weeks.