About the Trælanípa Hike
Trælanípa, also known as Slave Cliff and Lake Above the Ocean, is one of the most popular hikes in the Faroe Islands. Famed for its dramatic cliffs that plunge into the Atlantic ocean while creating the optical illusion of a lake next to the ocean. You willl walk alongside Lake Sørvágsvatn until reaching the jagged cliff edge. The hike can easily be completed in a couple of hours and is a relatively easy walk. Completing Trælanípa with a toddler can be done smoothly and is on of the most popular family-friendly hikes in the Faroes. Read on for our full hiking guide and check out our Faroe Islands with Kids post for a detailed itinerary!
Table of Contents
Hike Details
- Distance: 4.2 mi
- Duration: 2-2.5 hrs
- Elevation Gain: 1,053 ft
- Difficulty: Easy
- Type: Out & Back
- Common names: Floating lake, Lake above the ocean, Slave cliff, cliff, Lake Sørvágsvatn, Trælanípa
Hours of Operation & Fees
Many hikes in the Faroe Islands have a fee as they are located on privately owned land. Some hikers may find these fees to be steep, but the money is used to maintain the trail and owner’s property. Trælanípa has a welcome office with a cafe. Here, the attendant collects the fees, but not all have a person present. The fee can be purchased with cash or credit. Side note, the cafe has the BEST chocolate croissants and well worth a post-hike stop for some treat-o’s!
Fee: 200 DKK per person (small children are free) —> $30 USD
Best Time of the Day to Hike
Hiking Trælanípa can truly be done at any time of the day. In the summertime, the sun shines provides up to 20 hours of daylight. The hike is accessible 24/7, but the coffee shop is only open from 0700 to 2200. Be aware that there is still a hiking fee despite the time of day. However, we would recommend a morning hike when visiting Trælanípa with a toddler. It is less crowded and you have plenty of time to let you little one roam around without the crowds. Keep in mind, Trælanípa is probably the most popular hikes in the Faroe Islands due to its easiness to complete and access.
Despite our advice on hiking in the early morning to catch the sunrise and avoid crowing (or sunset), the Faroe Islands appeared to have foggier conditions in the morning. At least, in our week in the islands. I would recommend keeping your eyes out, but overall, the Faroe Islands are not overly crowded with tourists and most hikes will be reasonably busy, yet not overwhelming. Try to catch a golden hour, if possible, but don’t bet on the weather. The nice part about the Faroes in the summertime is the amount of sunshine during the day. For us, the sun didn’t set til about 10 pm, which gave us plenty of time to explore. Granted, this is not always ideal when attempting to adjust your toddler’s circadian rhythm.
Toddler Tip: find out if your hotel/airbnb has black out shades. If not, you can purchase some online or even use foil and tape to block out the light. Try not to stay out too late if you want early mornings, so your little one can adjust to the new time zone. We always find this challenging to accomplish with such long days. Who doesn’t want to take advantage of sunlight on vacation??
Best Time of the Year to Hike
The best time of the year to hike Trælanípa with a toddler, or the Faroe Islands in general, is in the summer months. July to August is ideal for the best chance of clear skies. The day we did the Slave Cliff hike was one of the clearest days we had our entire trip. Most days were cloudy with massive amounts of fog as you ascended into the mountains. Being in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, the Faroe Islands are known for its temperamental weather. So, try to take advantage of sunny days and do your most desired hikes then.
Unfortunately, we missed out on the Hvíthamar hike. After aborting the hike twice due to lack of visibility, we decided to visit other location instead since the panoramic views are the highlight. In places like the Faroe Islands, you have to accept the climate for what it is and hope for the best. Prepare yourselves with backup plans in case of bad weather and always be prepared with the appropriate attire (see packing list below).
Weather
Expect the weather to change frequently, but for the most part, you will experience 50-60 degree temperatures during the day. Naturally, it will feel cooler with cloudy weather and the high winds on cliffside hikes. We were lucky enough to have a beautiful sun shiny day. Most of the hike is somewhat blocking the wind because you are surrounded by hills. However, when you get to the viewpoint, you are highly exposed. Keep this in mind for toddlers with sensitive skin. A hat and sunscreen may go a long way here.
Pro Tip: It’s common to have clear skies on one part of the island and rain/fog on another. There was one day we just kept chasing the sun on other parts of the island!
What to Pack
Preparing to hike in the Faroe Islands with a toddler can elude some confusion when it comes to packing. I wasn’t sure exactly what the weather would be like, which probably caused some overpacking issues (which I can’t stand). Ultimately, below is a list of items I found necessary or helpful on our day hikes with the girls. Hiking Trælanípa with a toddler shouldn’t be stressful. Stick with our packing list and you should be set up for a successful day on the trail!
- Child Hiking Carrier (we love the Osprey Poco line)
- Hiking sneakers
- Lightweight base layers
- Dual fleece-lined rain coat (also offers wind protection. Don’t go crazy, we found ours on Walmart!)
- Water
- Plenty of snacks (apples, PB&J, trail mix & snickers are our go to’s)
- Diapers/Wipes
- Milk bottle (if needed)
- Portable changing pad (depending on age of child)
- Sunglasses or hat (minimal shade)
- Apply sunscreen to sensitive skin children prior to hike
- Camera, Go Pro, Drone, Tripod (for the photographers out there)
- Mini first aid kit
Why Trælanípa is the Perfect Toddler Hike
Trælanípa with a toddler is most likely going to be the best hike you complete as a family in the Faroes. Not only is the majority of the trail flat, but it is impossible to get lost, there are no steep portions until the very end and you can avoid the cliffs if you’d like. There is a single path to the edge and from there you can wander around. Climb to the top left for the iconic “Lake Above the Ocean” optical illusion shot or head to the right and enjoy some snacks on the rocks. We enjoyed both sections of the area and spent a lot of time taking in the views and getting some great photos.
Personally, I would consider this more of a walking trail than a hike. The only steep section is towards the end where you can walk along the cliffside for better views. The majority of the walk is relatively flat and easy, making this an ideal toddler hike.
Final Thoughts
In our opinion, Trælanípa with a toddler may be the best hike you do with your little ones. Between the safeness of the trail and lack of elevation, you can give your toddler the freedom they crave. This is a must-do hike when visiting the Faroe Islands with kids! As always, be sure to follow our adventures on social and keep an eye out for new itineraries and travel guides!
