Faroe Islands Safety: Fog, Cliff Edges, Wind and Roads

Fog and the cairns

Fog can arrive on a clear morning and remove every landmark within minutes, which is why the islands' walking advice starts with it. The rule is not to start a hike in fog or in darkness. If fog comes down while you are out, keep close to the cairns, the stacks of stones that mark the old paths; if it is so thick that you cannot see from one cairn to the next, stop, wait by a cairn and keep warm until it lifts, rather than guessing a way down.

Cliff edges and wind

Many Faroese walks run close to cliff edges that drop hundreds of metres straight into the sea. Grass that looks firm can be slippery, and rock that looks solid can break away, so the safe distance from an edge is greater than it appears. In fog or strong wind these walks become genuinely dangerous: the visual cues that tell you where the edge is disappear, and the wind itself can push you. Wind makes any temperature feel colder too, so a mild summer day on an exposed ridge can feel cold.

Plans, forecasts and what to pack

Before any walk, tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back, which in practice means telling the reception at your hotel or guesthouse. Check the forecast, and remember that even a good one can be wrong, so be ready for the weather to change once you are out. Mobile coverage is good in populated areas but can drop out on remote trails, which is one more reason to leave a plan behind rather than rely on calling for help.

Summer temperatures typically sit in the low teens Celsius and winter ones only a few degrees above freezing, but the weather's defining trait is change: sunshine, mist and rain can follow one another in a single afternoon. Waterproof and windproof layers, warm clothing and sturdy waterproof boots belong in the bag in every season, including midsummer.

Winter roads

The main roads are cleared of snow in winter, but mountain roads and passes can be affected by snow, ice and storms, and ferries can be cancelled in rough weather. Before a winter drive, check the driving conditions published by Landsverk, the road authority, and allow extra time on single-lane stretches where oncoming traffic has to wait at passing places.

Medical care and insurance

The emergency number for police, fire and ambulance anywhere in the islands is 112, for serious injury or illness that needs immediate treatment. There are three hospitals, in Tórshavn, Klaksvík and Tvøroyri on Suðuroy, each with an emergency department, and pharmacies in the larger towns. Because the Faroe Islands are outside the European Union, travel insurance that covers medical treatment and transport is strongly recommended for visitors.