Wilderness Travel 2017 Catalog of Adventures

Hiking the Faroe Islands JOURNEY TO THE NORTH ATLANTIC’S BEST KEPT SECRET

HIGHLIGHTS • Wild coastal and mountain hikes • Discover ancient valleys sheltering rich Viking heritage • Sample traditional Faroese fare including skerpikjot (wind-dried lamb) • Enjoy a beer at the oldest brewery on the islands • Meet artisans, enjoy our Farewell Dinner with a local family • Welcoming hotels and guesthouses, including a stay in Tórshavn, the smallest capital city in Europe DETAILS • 8-day trip begins and ends in Sørvágur • 7 nights hotels and guesthouses • All meals included except 1 lunch

Our hikes lead to plunging waterfalls, soaring sea cliffs, and Viking settlements— and our evenings are topped with excellent meals featuring cuisine fresh from the land and sea. PHOTO: ADAM BURTON

DATES Jun 14-21, 2017 Jun 30-Jul 7

Set on the Viking’s route from Norway to Iceland, the Faroe Islands are remote, stunning, and the ideal setting for our hiking adventure. In this otherworldly island landscape, we’ll hike ridge trails to tiny fishing villages of turf-roofed houses and to sea cliffs where puffins number in the thousands. The views in every corner of this island realm are breathtaking. Along the way, you’ll see how renowned Faroese woolen knits are made at a family-run mill on Vidoy Island, and enjoy a round of beers at the oldest brewery in the Faroes. The seafood here is outrageously fresh—we’ll savor meals in the company of knitters, chefs, and artists, and experience traditional Faroese singing and dancing at a charming guesthouse. Days 1-2 Vágar Island / Mykines Island From Vágar, we head out to Mykines for a hike to see colonies of puffins preening themselves on grassy tussocks. We’ll also visit a red-topped lighthouse, a great vantage point to see gannets nesting on the southern sea stacks.

TRIP COST $4295 (11-14 members) $4695 (6-10 members) Single supplement: $550

TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 6 hiking days on moderate to strenuous trails, some steep sections, 2-4 hours most days

ALDO PAVAN

high cliffs at Vestmanna, home to guillemots, razorbills, and puffins—and daring sheep that graze on near-vertical grassy patches along the cliff. On Eysturoy, we’ll meet a local artist and have the chance to hike to the top of Slaettaratindur, the highest mountain in the Faroes. Days 5-6 Bordoy and Vidoy Islands / Snaeldan Wool Mill After a visit to the oldest brewery in the Faroes, we hike up the steep slopes of Vidoy for spectacular views of five islands. We’ll watch wool be transformed into delicate yarn at a classic wool mill. One evening, we enjoy a celebratory dinner with traditional Faroese dancing and song. Days 7-8 Tórshavn In Tórshavn, Europe’s smallest capital, we’ll explore the Old Town, with its turf-roofed buildings, and enjoy dinner in a family home featuring local ingredients from the family’s farm, accompanied by local Faroes schnapps. Depart on Day 8 via Sørvágur.

Days 3-4 Vestmanna / Eysturoy Island / Hike Slaettaratindur We cruise beneath 1,000-foot-

NANO CALVO

COMBINE ANY TWO EUROPE TRIPS FOR A $500 PER PERSON DISCOUNT! 51