Kunoy Travel Guide: Visiting the Only Forest in the Faroe Islands

Eighteen stunning islands make up the Faroe Islands. Kunoy is a sparsely populated island that is in the north and close to Bordoy and Kalsoy.

I didn’t make it to Kunoy on my first trip to the Faroe Islands, but fortunately, I did get a chance to pass through on my second trip.

The island is famous for being home to a forest, which, as many travelers who have been to the Faroes know, is an anomaly in the North Atlantic archipelago!

I didn’t get to spend as much time there as I would have enjoyed, but in all honesty, the weather was a bit lousy the day we arrived, and the sporadic rain sessions kind of hindered our trip to Kunoy. Such is life in the Faroes…

This is a quick guide to Kunoy Island, including practical information like how to get to Kunoy and what to do when you’re there (spoiler alert: there is not much!). If you have more to add, please leave it in the comments.

About Kunoy

The beautiful island of Kunoy is located in the northeastern part of the Faroe Islands. It is the only island in the Faroes that has a forest on it, which is why many people (like me!) go there.

The name of the island means Woman Island in Faroese, which is fitting considering one of the closest islands is called Kalsoy, which means Man Island.

Only around 150 people call Kunoy home, and I am pretty sure I met quite a few of them at the pub in Klaksvík one night. There are two settlements on Kunoy, Haraldssund and Kunoy.

Kunoy and Haraldssund

Haraldssund and Kunoy are the tiny villages located on Kunoy island (and Kunoy village is the more popular of the two).

Kunoy village is distinguishable by its charming homes and the well-known Kunoy Church. It is located on the northwestern banks of the island. The other village is called Haraldssund.

A tunnel that is around 30 years old connects both villages. There used to be a third village, Skarð, but a fishing accident killed the entire male population. After this, the women moved to Haraldssund.

Skarð is now deserted, but the ruins still stand, and anyone can visit them at any time.

Kunoy Island is very sparsely populated. Around 150 people are living there, around 60 of whom live in Kunoy Village (and the rest around Haraldssund).

How to Get to Kunoy

Getting to the island and its villages is quite easy, as they’re directly connected to the city of Klaksvík via a causeway from the island of Borðoy.

From Torshavn, it is about an hour and a half to Kunoy. From Klaksvík, you’re looking at a 10-15 minute drive. You will need to go through a tunnel on the edge of Klaksvík that is quite narrow. Be careful, I did $1000 in damage to a car in that tunnel on my first trip!

Why You Should Visit Kunoy (& Things to Do)

One of the main reasons to visit Kunoy is to simply see another island. Every single island in the Faroes is a bit different, and Kunoy is no exception. Below are the two main reasons I suggest visiting Kunoy during your Faroes trip.

The Forest on Kunoy

One of the best things about Kunoy, in general, is that it’s a destination meant to be explored on foot. That’s the best way to go when it comes to experiencing the magic of Kunoy’s forest.

The real magic comes from the fact that, originally, Kunoy was a pretty barren island.

Trees used to have a hard time growing naturally on the Faroe Islands, which is why there were several groves planted. One of the most beautiful and important ones is the one known as the Forest of Kunoy (Viðarlundin í Kunoy).

It is dramatic and imposing, much like the rest of the island’s natural beauty, but it does stand out. You can tell that it’s manmade.

There are benches, an arched bridge, and plenty of unique little pockets of nature. There are also a lot of wildflowers growing during the warmer months!

Hiking on Kunoy

Kunoy is home to some of the highest mountains in the Faroe Islands. There are a few hikes available there, but I don’t recommend going to any of them alone. The highest peak on Kunoy is called Kúvingafjall, and it is 830 meters tall (over 2700 feet).

A popular Kunoy hike is through the gorge called “Skarðsgjógv,” which will take you to the abandoned village of Skarð. This is a difficult hike that should only be done by experienced hikers (with the right equipment and hiking clothes) and those with a guide.

It is discouraged to take anything or move anything around if you hike to Skarð. It is simply out of sheer respect for those who can trace their families there due to the tragic history of the village.

If you’re not on the island but want an insane view of it, go hiking up to Klakkur, near Klaksvík. You will be (hopefully, if weather permits!) granted a spectacular landscape, and Kunoy should be present in the backdrop.

I hope that this travel guide for Kunoy encourages you to add the northern island to your list. It is a quiet place, and while there isn’t much to do there, it is certainly worthwhile to check out the forest on Kunoy and perhaps do a little hiking when there.

Did I miss anything in this Kunoy travel guide? Let me know in the comments. Thanks!