Syðradalur (Kalsoy Island)

Syðradalur is the southernmost settlement on Kalsoy Island in the northern part of the remote Faroe Islands. It is a secluded hamlet with only a few houses, as well as the only ferry harbour on the island.

The village was founded in 1812 after a landslide forced the villagers from Blankskáli to move. Blankskáli is located on the western side of Kalsoy Island, across the mountain from Syðradalur. This side of the island is much steeper and more prone to landslides, so despite no one dying in the accident (except for a dog), they decided to move to the east side where the terrain is more gentle.

The new village initially kept the old name, but by the mid-19th century, it became known as Syðradalur, which translates to “The Southern Valley”.

Getting to Syðradalur

The only way to get to Syðradalur is by ferry or private boat. The passenger ferry leaves from Klaksvík on Borðoy Island and has several daily departures. If you are going in the summer season, be sure to book your tickets far in advance as the ferry is small and often runs out of space.

For those travelling without a car, there is a great bus service on Kalsoy Island, which connects all villages on the island with the ferry harbour.

If you want to explore Syðradalur, walk or drive up the steep hillside from the harbour. Its houses are located directly above the harbour.

Hike to Blankskáli

If you want to visit the abandoned village of Blankskáli and a side of Kalsoy Island that visitors rarely see, prepare to spend a full day of hiking.

There are two possible routes from Syðradalur to Blankskáli. One follows the coastline, the other crosses a mountain pass between Bótnstindur (744 m / 2.440 ft) and Grístindur (700 m / 2.297 ft). Neither of them are marked. For a round-trip hike, follow this route description:

From Syðradalur, head toward the lowest point of the mountain pass behind the village. The climb is steep, so watch your step. From the top of the pass, you will see Blankskáli on your left. Look for a patch of green land scattered with ruins. The way down to the village is steep, so take your time.

Once there, you can explore the ruins before following sheep tracks along the coast back to Syðradalur. This part of the hike is not steep, but the ground is uneven and slanted. You will spend much of the time walking sideways, which can be hard on your ankles.

The full loop is 8 km (5 miles) and takes 4-5 hours. It is a moderately difficult hike, mainly because of the steep climb and descent. If you prefer an easier route, you can follow the coastal path in both directions instead. This adds around 2 km (1.24 miles) to the hike.

The gateway to famous sights on Kalsoy Island

Syðradalur is the gateway to Kalsoy Island and its three famous sights, the Seal Woman, Kallur Lighthouse and the James Bond Tombstone. Here is how to get to these attractions from the village.

The Seal Woman

The famous statue of a seal woman is located in the village of Mikladalur, 13 km (8 miles) north of Syðradalur. There is only one road through Kalsoy Island, so getting to Mikladalur from the ferry port is easy. On the way, you will pass by the village of Húsar and drive through three tunnels. After the third tunnel, leave the main road and descend into Mikladalur.

Once you arrive in Mikladalur, reaching the famous Seal Woman statue requires only a short but steep walk. From the centre of the settlement, follow the signs marked “Kópakonan”. Take the concrete stairs leading down toward the ocean. The statue stands on a rock by the sea with a dramatic backdrop of the steep Kunoy Island and the crashing waves of the North Atlantic Ocean.

Kallur Lighthouse and James Bond Gravestone

To get to the famous Kallur Lighthouse and nearby James Bond Gravestone from Syðradalur, follow the main road to the northern end of Kalsoy Island. On the way, you will pass by the villages of Húsar and Mikladalur, and go through four tunnels. At the end of the road, you will reach the village of Trøllanes.

The hike starts at the northern end of Trøllanes. The trail to the lighthouse is very easy to follow but beware that it is quite steep and there are a lot of loose rocks on the trail. The return hike is 3 km (1.86 miles) and takes around 2 hours to complete.

Once you get to the lighthouse, take care not to get too close to the cliff edge. To see the James Bond Tombstone, hike south up the cliffside from the lighthouse. After 160 m (524 ft), you will reach the tombstone.

Trail Admission Fee: Please note that there is a fee of 200 DKK per person when entering the trail where the hike starts. The money can be paid by card or cash at the restaurant by the trailhead. The fee does not include a guide.

Mads Fyllgraf

Mads Fyllgraf is an adventurous explorer, photographer, and videographer. Born in western Jylland in Denmark, the fresh waves hitting the shore and the winds blowing in from the north, has seen him indulge in the Faroe Islands. Mads holds a Bachelor in International Hospitality Management and has years of experiences from the outdoor recreation sector.

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