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, start at the landowner’s main gate, check in and follow the marked 7 km return route. The route takes about 45 minutes each way; the lakeside path along Leitisvatn is closed for bird protection. Keep well back from the cliff edge. The operator permits early/late hikes while the gate remains open; conditions and notices can change.
- Admission
- The landowner’s current self-guided fee is DKK 200; ages 0–15 are free and no advance booking is needed. A guided hike is DKK 600 per person, minimum five (or pay for five), booked at least two days ahead. Visit Faroe Islands lists a different guided price and age scale (DKK 450 adults, DKK 150 ages 7–14, under 7 free); confirm inclusions and current fees with the landowner. Hiking fees may change under legislation.
- Time needed
- The operator lists 3.5 km each way, about 45 minutes walking each way, and says most visitors spend 2.5–3 hours with photo stops. This is the route duration, not a lake-only visit time.
- Best season
- Visit Faroe Islands describes June–August as the period with the longest days and generally best hiking weather, but this is general island guidance, not a route-specific guarantee. Faroese weather changes quickly; check the local forecast, gate status and trail conditions.
- Opening hours
- The landowner says the hiking gate remains open for sunrise and sunset visits; no fixed daily trail hours are published. The coffee shop is open daily 07:00–22:00, but those are shop hours, not trail hours. Check with the operator; the lakeside path remains closed for bird protection.
- Location checked
- 2026-10-16
- Facts checked
- 2026-10-26
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