Sørvágsvatn, Freshwater lake on Vágar Island, Faroe Islands
Sørvágsvatn is a freshwater lake on Vágar Island in the Faroe Islands and covers roughly 3.6 square kilometers. Its water flows directly into the North Atlantic Ocean through the Bøsdalafossur waterfall, making it a natural drainage point.
During World War II, British forces built a seaplane base at the lake, where the first RAF Coastal Command aircraft landed in 1941. This installation was part of the wider Allied military presence in the region.
The lake carries different names depending on who lives nearby: residents of Sørvágur call it Sørvágsvatn, while those from Miðvágur and Sandavágur prefer Leitisvatn. This naming split shows how local communities relate to the same piece of nature in their own way.
The lake is reached via an unpaved path from Miðvágur, requiring about an hour of walking with moderate elevation changes along the way. Proper footwear and weather-resistant clothing are advisable for this route.
When viewed from Trælanípa Cliff, the lake appears to float above the Atlantic Ocean, though it actually sits just 32 meters above sea level. This visual trick happens because of the cliff's extreme height and its sharp drop to the water.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
