Trøllkonufingur, “troll woman’s” finger of Faroe Islands

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1 year ago Nathan

With a name that literally translates from Faroese as “troll woman’s finger”, Trøllkonufingur is an unique rock feature situated southeast of Sandavágur, a small settlement on the island of Vágar.
This spindly monolith on the rugged coastline of the Faroe Islands measures 313 meters tall and it can be seen from many miles away.

Remarkable geological feature, it also holds significance in local folklore, as It is said that it is the finger of a large witch who arrived on the Faroe Islands to attempt to throw them northwards to Iceland.
According to the legend, she was unsuccessful in this mission, instead reaching the sea by Vágar and turning into stone from the power of the sun.
Due to her sheer size, it is said that she fell backwards into the ocean, with only her finger sticking out of the water. The back of her head is the island of Koltur, and the finger is Trøllkonufingur.

Only 11 hardy climbers are known to have made it to the top of this rocky feature.
In 1844, a member of the royal entourage of Denmark got to the summit so that he could wave to the passing Crown Prince Frederick VII, who was sailing past in the sea.
It is said that after descending successfully, he realized he had left his glove on the top of the rock. However, after climbing back up to retrieve his object, fatigue alongside the treacherous conditions led to him slipping and falling to his death.

Today, when visiting Trøllkonufingur it is recommended to take the walk from the village center instead of driving on the narrow road that leads to the site.