Five peaks. Two summer houses. No inhabitants. Tindhólmur, a private islet west of Vágar. Stamp subject. Postcard picture. Background artist in Wim Wenders’ film „Submergence“ (Release date US: 2017). Photographed a billion times, mostly from a distance, without ever setting foot on Tindhólmur, rising sheer to several hundred feet on one side, and, like a wicked rollercoaster, plunging down a breathtaking drop-off on the other. Going ashore on Tindhólmur: at the top of my list for quite a while.
Phone call, jumping at the opportunity. Entrepreneur and manager Steinbjørn í Dali takes us along, together with a group of scouts. I have enjoyed the ferry ride from Sørvágur to Mykines on a handful of occasions, but yet never stopped at Tindhólmur, majestically guarding the Sørvágsfjørður.
Things are different this time. The vessel alters course, and soon we are approaching the five peaks, Ytstitindur, Arnatindur, Lítlitindur, Breiðitindur and Boygditindur – Farthest, Eagle, Small, Broad and Bent, also a tiny landing, the two summer houses in sight. Less than 20 people own this islet, seven of them the house we are sitting in front of, having strawberries, cheese, bread, dried fish and coffee, before discovering the islet, walking across wooden footbridges, volcanic ground and lush green grassland, past puffins, bizarre rock formations and seaweed.
A surrealistic scenery, built up by volcanic activities, glaciation and changes in sea level. It’s these flooded sinkholes, egg-shaped and circular, I like best. Mystic bathtubs, close to the ocean, molded by nature. I bend down, dipping my hand into the water. It feels warm to my touch, silky-smooth, heated up by sunlight. At this point, I wish I owned Tindhólmur, just for one summer’s night. I would slide into one of these bathtubs, watch the sunset and visualize the tectonic shifts of the last ice age taking place all-around. What a pleasant thought.
Five peaks, two summer houses, no inhabitants. Size: about 161 acres.
Sweet cotton grass: Discovering Tindhólmur together with the scouts ...
... coming across bizarre rock formations and beautifully colored stones.
On the other side, almost tucked away behind clouds: The village Gásadalur.
One of many: A mystic bathtub, close to the ocean, filled with warm water. Truly tempting.
Jumping at the opportunity. You also want to go to this private islet?
Check out mykines.fo. There might be a guided tour available, depending on the season. Below: Stamp subject, postcard picture, natural beauty. Tindhólmur (on the right), guarding Sørvágur's fiord.
