Sørvágsvatn (Leitisvatn): The Illusory Lake in Faroe Islands
Lake Sørvágsvatn is a 3.4 square kilometer lake located in the Faroe Islands. With an optical illusion that appears to be floating above the ocean, this lake is larger than the second largest lake in the archipelago, Fjallavatn. Despite the illusion that the lake is high above the ocean, the elevation difference is only 30 meters. The surrounding hills give the lake its unique appearance and make it appear to be much higher above sea level.
Photo by depositphotos.com
Vagar Island played a historical role during Britain’s occupation of the Faroe Islands in WWII. British Royal Engineers built an airfield on Faroe to defend against potential German warships, with the location obscured from enemies. The airfield was built west of Lake Sørvágsvatn.
Photo by depositphotos.com
The lake is located in a depression with its towering headlands rising 252 and 376 meters on either side. The lake’s name is a point of contention, with the people of Sørvágsvatn village naming it after their home, while other nearby towns prefer the name Leitisvatn. Regardless of its name, the illusion created by the lake is a natural wonder that never fails to impress.
Visiting Sørvágsvatn
To reach the lake, fly to Vágar Island (the airport is also located there), which is easily accessible from Tórshavn, the capital city, via a long sea tunnel connecting the islands. It takes around 45 minutes to drive from the capital and 15 minutes from the airport. A hike to the lake takes 1 to 1.5 hours, is relatively easy, but expect to catch your breath at the cliff’s edge due to the view or the hike.
The best time to visit the Faroe Islands is from June to August, with warmer weather and less rain. Experts recommend spending 4-5 full days in the Faroe Islands to fully appreciate the beauty of the surroundings and enjoy other captivating hikes.
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Sørvágsvatn (Leitisvatn), Vágar, Faroe Islands — lake-area reference, not the Trælanípa trail entrance
- Coordinates
- 62.04771, -7.23705
- Access
- For the Trælanípa/Bøsdalafossur viewpoint, use the main gate, check in at the landowner reception, and follow the marked gravel route. The operator says the path along Lake Leitisvatn is closed for bird protection; stay on the signed trail and well back from the steep cliff edge.
- Admission
- For the self-guided Trælanípa route, the operator currently lists DKK 200 per person; children ages 0–15 are free, no advance booking is needed, and payment is at the coffee shop. Guided hikes: the operator lists DKK 600 per person (minimum five, book at least two days ahead), while Visit Faroe Islands lists DKK 450 per adult and DKK 150 for ages 7–14, under 7 free, including guide and brochure. These may be different packages or listings; confirm directly with the landowner. The tourism board warns hiking fees may change under new legislation.
- Time needed
- The operator describes a 7 km round trip, about 45 minutes each way walking, and says most visitors spend 2.5–3 hours including photo stops. Visit Faroe Islands lists guided departures at 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00; these are tour start times, not total hike duration.
- Best season
- Visit Faroe Islands says June–August brings the islands’ longest days and best general hiking weather; it does not publish a route-specific season recommendation. Faroese weather changes quickly in every season, so check the forecast and trail conditions before setting out.
- Opening hours
- The route operator says the trail gate remains open for sunrise and sunset hikes, but publishes no regular gate-hours schedule. Its coffee shop is listed daily 07:00–22:00; those are shop hours, not trail hours. Confirm access and weather conditions with the operator before setting out.
- Location checked
- 2026-10-16
- Facts checked
- 2026-10-16
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