Gjogv

Gjógv means gorge, and the village is named for the one that runs into it: a natural cleft about two hundred metres long cut into the cliff, which the boats used as a harbour, hauled up a stone slipway at its head by winch because there was nowhere else on this coast to land. Turf-roofed houses stand around a stream above it. The village is now largely a summer place, with paths climbing the slopes on either side.

History

Gjógv is named after the sea-filled gorge, about 200 metres long, that runs from the village to the sea. It is first mentioned in 1584, though it seems to be much older, and it lived for centuries from fishing and from selling dried and salted fish, klippfiskur, with as many as 13 fishing boats sailing from its gorge at one time. Its population has fallen sharply since the mid-20th century, from 210 in 1950; a factory making prefabricated concrete elements, the only one of its kind in the islands, opened here in 1982, alongside a fish farm and a guest house (Wikipedia, Gjógv).

Highlights

• The gorge harbour - a natural sea cleft used as the village landing.
• The stone slipway - the winched ramp boats were hauled up.
• The turf roofs - grass-covered houses along the stream.
• The cliff paths - routes up the slopes on either side of the village.

When to go

May to September is the season; roads and paths are reliable then. Winter brings storms and the village is very quiet. Fog can close in at any time of year.

Practical notes

The gorge path is exposed with unfenced drops and is dangerous in wind or wet. The village has very few facilities. The road in is narrow with passing places.

Nearby

Funningur is south, and Tjornuvik is across the sound.

Key facts