Bøsdalafossur at a Glance
About Bøsdalafossur
Bøsdalafossur is the waterfall on the island of Vágar in the Faroe Islands where the outflow of the upland lake Leitisvatn/Sørvágsvatn plunges over a cliff into the Atlantic. The cascade and adjacent cliff viewpoints are among the islands’ most photographed coastal scenes.
A short but sometimes steep walk leads to viewpoints above the cliff edge and along the western rim, from which visitors can see the lake spilling over the cliff and falling to the sea. The optical effect from popular viewpoints makes the lake appear unusually elevated above the ocean, contributing to the site’s dramatic appearance.
The feature is a natural outflow where the lake drains across coastal cliffs; it has been part of local landscape and navigation references for generations rather than a constructed attraction. Modern interest comes from hiking access and landscape photography.
The waterfall and lake sit on Vágar island near small settlements on the island’s west side; access is by local roads and well-marked walking paths from nearby villages such as Gásadalur and Bøur.
- Best viewpoint: The most famous photographic view is from the Trælanípa viewpoint, accessed by a popular walking path from nearby parking and villages.
What to See#
- Leitisvatn / Sørvágsvatn: Leitisvatn (also called Sørvágsvatn) is the upland lake whose outflow forms the waterfall and creates the site’s dramatic drop to the ocean.
- Trælanípa viewpoint: Trælanípa is the cliff viewpoint that offers the most photographed vantage over the lake, waterfall and ocean, across a short walking route.
- Bøsdalafossur waterfall: The waterfall itself, where fresh water drops from the lake over the western cliff into the ocean below, forming the signature cascade.
Nearby Attractions to Bøsdalafossur
Best Time to Visit Bøsdalafossur
Best visited in summer for the safest and calmest conditions; shoulder seasons provide dramatic skies for photography.
Weather & Climate near Bøsdalafossur
Continental climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 13°C. Heavy rainfall (2561 mm/year), wettest in November.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 2° - 5° | -2° | 277 mm | overcast | 82% | 7.9 m/s | 0.0 low | 5.8h |
| February | Poor | 2° - 5° | -2° | 225 mm | overcast | 82% | 7.9 m/s | 0.0 low | 8.5h |
| March | Poor | 2° - 6° | -1° | 259 mm | overcast | 82% | 7.6 m/s | 0.2 low | 11.6h |
| April | Poor | 4° - 7° | 1° | 178 mm | overcast | 83% | 7.0 m/s | 0.4 low | 14.6h |
| May | Poor | 6° - 10° | 4° | 135 mm | overcast | 84% | 6.0 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 17.5h |
| June | Acceptable | 8° - 11° | 7° | 113 mm | overcast | 88% | 5.7 m/s | 1.0 high | 19.3h |
| July | Acceptable | 10° - 13° | 11° | 116 mm | overcast | 90% | 5.4 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 18.4h |
| August | Poor | 10° - 13° | 12° | 147 mm | overcast | 89% | 5.4 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 15.7h |
| September | Poor | 8° - 11° | 7° | 244 mm | overcast | 88% | 6.5 m/s | 0.3 low | 12.7h |
| October | Poor | 6° - 9° | 4° | 290 mm | overcast | 86% | 7.3 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.7h |
| November | Poor | 4° - 7° | 1° | 297 mm | overcast | 84% | 7.5 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.7h |
| December | Poor | 2° - 6° | -1° | 280 mm | overcast | 83% | 7.5 m/s | 0.0 low | 4.7h |
How to Get to Bøsdalafossur
Bøsdalafossur is on Vágar island in the Faroe Islands. The nearest settlement is Sørvágur; from there the waterfall is a short but steep walk to designated viewpoints. Vágar is accessible by air via Vágar Airport, with onward local roads and marked trails.
Tips for Visiting Bøsdalafossur
- View the Trælanípan cliffs and waterfall from marked viewpoints rather than attempting unmarked climbs - the terrain is treacherous.
- Bring windproof clothing; the blow from the lake and the cliff edge can be fierce even on mild days.
- Photograph early or late - the most striking optical effects (the floating lake illusion) happen with low light and contrasting skies.