This lake seems to be suspended over the ocean, it really exists and is located in the Faroe Islands

At the top of one of the Faroe Islandsin the center of the triangle between the top of Scotland, the east coast of Iceland and the west of Norway, there is a lake that seems to be suspended over the ocean. And no, it’s not Photoshop and not even a dream: it is Sørvágsvatn (also called Leitisvatn), one of the many wonders of Nature.

The Faroe Islands constitute an autonomous archipelago of 18 islands, of which 17 are inhabited, which belonged for hundreds of years to Norway, now part of the Kingdom of Denmark. The islands are located between the North Atlantic Ocean and the Norwegian Sea, no more than 4.8 kilometers from the coast. Right here, a show among shows, you can admire Sørvágsvatn, the lake suspended over the ocean.

This stunning body of water is the largest lake in the Faroe Islands, approximately 40m above sea level and with the greatest depth at 59m. At one end you can also admire the waterfall Bøsdalafossur.

The charm of Sørvágsvatn depends not only on its scenic location, but also on the landscape that surrounds it. The Faroe Islands are known for their cliffs overlooking the ocean, windswept meadows and changeable weather that alternates between fog, sun and rain within a few hours. Precisely these conditions give the lake a different atmosphere every day, making each visit unique.

To reach the famous panoramic point you need to follow a medium difficulty hiking trail that crosses meadows and windswept plateaus. The walk leads up to the Trælanípa cliff, where you can enjoy the most famous view of the lake and the Atlantic. It is one of the most popular treks in the archipelago, especially by those seeking spectacular views and nature photography.

Because the lake has two names

Locals disagree on the name of the lake, which is why there are two. The inhabitants of Sørvágur, a village west of the lake on the island of Vágar, prefer the name Sørvágsvatn, which means “the lake of Sørvágur”.

Those who live in Miðvágur and Sandavágur, east of the lake, instead use the name Leitisvatn, i.e. “Leiti’s lake”, from the name of an eastern territory of the Faroes.

The village of Miðvágur is geographically closer to the lake than Sørvágur, but the latter is believed to have been founded earlier, around the 9th century, which leaves the debate still open.

Another argument in favor of the name Sørvágsvatn is historical: the first Faroe settlers divided Vágar into three equal regions, and the lake fell in the same administrative area as Sørvágur.

To avoid arguments, many locals simply call it Vatnið, which means “the lake”.

The lake is surrounded by cliffs, a detail that accentuates the impression that it is much higher than the ocean waves. The effect is even more evident near the main outlet, where the water falls from the Bøsdalafossur waterfall, about 30 meters high. The name means “Bøsdal Waterfall”, referring to the area near the settlement of Bøur.

Visiting this place means coming into contact with a nature that is still dominant and not very urbanised, where the silence is interrupted only by the wind, the call of sea birds and the roar of the waves crashing under the Bøsdalafossur waterfall. An experience that goes beyond simple postcard photography.