How impressive they are—perhaps the most famous sea stacks in the Faroe Islands: Risin og Kellingin. As with many well-known places and landmarks in the Faroe Islands (see Kópakonan), these sea stacks are also linked to a legend, a folk tale. There are several versions of the story, but the core of the tale remains the same. In this article, I’ll tell you more about it and show you the best viewpoints to admire Risin og Kellingin.
The well-known sea stacks Risin og Kellingin
Risin og Kellingin, meaning The Giant and the Witch, are located in a fairly inaccessible spot along one of the rugged coastlines of the Faroe Islands. They rise from the sea next to Eiðiskollur, a 343-metre-high sea cliff on the northern coast of the island of Eysturoy. Risin (the giant) stands 71 metres tall, while Kellingin (the witch) reaches 69 metres above sea level. In the early 20th century, a part of one of the stacks already broke off. The weather around the islands can be extremely rough and Risin og Kellingin have to endure a lot. Local geologists even predict that it won’t be long before Kellingin, who stands on two legs, collapses or completely topples over.
Legend of Risin og Kellingin
The tale tells of Icelandic giants who were jealous of the beautiful Faroe Islands. A giant and a witch were sent to steal the islands. When they arrived at the high sea cliff of Eiðiskollur, the giant remained in the sea while the witch climbed up the cliffs using ropes. Once at the top, she tied the islands together in order to strap them onto the giant’s back. However, as she pulled on the ropes, the mountain split in two. The witch was no longer able to bind the islands together. She kept trying all through the night, but she couldn’t manage to move the mountain.
Meanwhile, time was running out. It was well known that if sunlight touched a giant or a witch, they would turn to stone. The giant and the witch were so caught up in their task that they lost track of time. As the sun rose, a ray of light touched both the giant and the witch, turning them both into stone.
Best views of Risin og Kellingin
It really doesn’t matter that you can’t get close to the sea stacks, because they might actually be at their most beautiful when viewed from a distance. I can’t say which weather conditions make Risin og Kellingin more impressive. Sunshine is lovely, but ohhh how well dark, gloomy and misty weather suits this group of islands. I do, however, have a personal favourite spot for the best view. Take a look at the photos and decide for yourself!
Risin og Kellingin seen from Tjørnuvík on Streymoy
In my opinion, the best view of the sea stacks is from the road to the village of Tjørnuvík on the island of Streymoy and also from the beach in the village itself. As soon as you catch sight of the fjord at Tjørnuvík and follow the curve in the road to the left, you’ll see the sea giants appear to your right. Be sure to pull over here, because the view is stunning—not just of Risin og Kellingin, but also of the village of Tjørnuvík. It sits at the end of a deep fjord and it truly feels like the end of the world. I visited this spot once in bad weather and once in good weather. I don’t have a real preference. Okay, maybe just a little—for the dry weather… but both times, the place was incredibly impressive!
Risin og Kellingin seen from Kalsoy
How amazing is this view, taken from the northernmost tip of the island of Kalsoy. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see this view myself due to extremely dense fog. In fact, I only saw the famous Kallur Lighthouse and the James Bond gravestone when I was just a few metres away. Still, I’m sure this is one of the most beautiful spots in the Faroe Islands to see Risin og Kellingin.
Risin og Kellingin seen from the Risin og Kellingin viewpoint on Eysturoy
Between the village of Eiði and the mountain pass Eiðisskarð on the island of Eysturoy, a special viewpoint has been created: the Risin og Kellingin viewpoint. From here, you can see the sea stacks from the opposite side. I personally find them a bit less impressive from this angle than from the Tjørnuvík side. As far as something like that can be said—because everything in the Faroe Islands is awe-inspiring.
Risin og Kellingin seen from Slættaratindur on Eysturoy
Not far from the spot mentioned above lies Slættaratindur, the highest mountain in the Faroe Islands. Slættaratindur is 880 metres high (above sea level) and has a flat summit with a surface area of around 1,000 square metres. From the top, you can see most of the island group, including Risin og Kellingin. From the Eiðisskarð parking area, it’s about a 500-metre uphill walk to the summit. The trail is open all year round, although it is advised not to hike it between November and April due to frozen ground and slippery conditions.
Risin og Kellingin seen from Ambadalur Valley on Eysturoy
Another great spot to view Risin og Kellingin is Ambadalur Valley, which can be reached on foot from Gjógv. It takes about an hour to hike to this beautiful viewpoint. Once you reach Ambadalur, you’ll see Risin og Kellingin in the distance. Much closer, right next to the cliffs, stands Búgvin, a 188-metre-high rock. Búgvin is the tallest sea stack in the Faroe Islands and is very popular among seabirds. In the summer months, you can even spot puffins here.
How to get to the Faroe Islands
There are several ways to reach the Faroe Islands: by boat or by plane. If you choose to fly, you can travel from Amsterdam or Brussels to Copenhagen or Billund in Denmark. From there, you transfer to a flight to the Faroe Islands. You can compare flight prices and options here. Would you prefer to take the boat to the Faroe Islands? You can travel with or without your own car. If you want to bring your own vehicle, drive to Hirtshals, at the northernmost tip of Denmark, where the ferry to the remote archipelago departs.
Renting a car on the Faroe Islands
If you’d rather rent a car on the Faroe Islands, it’s easiest to fly to Aalborg. There’s a good train connection between Aalborg and Hirtshals and you can reach Hirtshals in about an hour. The ferry trip takes around 36 hours. You’ll sleep on the boat for two nights and arrive early in the morning in Tórshavn, the capital of the Faroe Islands.
Combining the Faroe Islands with Iceland
Another option is to combine Iceland and the Faroe Islands. After stopping in the Faroe Islands, the ferry continues to Iceland. You could spend a few days on the islands and then sail on to Seyðisfjörður on Iceland’s east coast. From there, you can rent a car and drive to Reykjavik via either the northern or southern coast. From Reykjavik, you can fly back to Amsterdam. Or you can do it the other way around: fly to Reykjavik, drive with your rental car to Seyðisfjörður, take the ferry to the Faroe Islands, explore the archipelago and return either by boat or by plane. Many roads lead to Tórshavn, as they say 🙂
Organized trips to the Faroe Islands
Looking for an organized trip to the Faroe Islands? There are various providers offering 11-day trips to the Faroe Islands, including ferry crossings and accommodations on different islands. There are also guided tours available where you can explore the islands with a rental car. Fly to the Faroe Islands, pick up your rental car and start your adventure, with pre-arranged overnight stays. A perfect mix of freedom and convenience!
