Every so often you come across an image that just doesn’t seem right. In fact, the internet is obsessed with optical illusions. Such is the case with the breathtaking Sorvagsvatn Lake.
This gorgeous lake sits close to the edge of a cliff. It’s also above sea level, and apparently has some of the most beautiful views around the Faroe Islands.
Prepare to have your mind blown with the location and perspective of this lake. It’s a must-visit if you ever go to Denmark! It would be a life-changing experience!
Lake Sorvagsvatn: The Lake Above The Ocean
Optical illusions have intrigued us for centuries. When found in nature, these wonders are even more compelling and fascinating.
Lake Sørvágsvatn is called the “illusion-causing lake”. It will give you a whole new perspective. Also known as Leitisvatn Lake, this natural wonder is the largest lake on Island Vagar of the Faroe Islands.
Notably, the island itself also held a historical role during the British occupancy of the Faroe Islands in World War II.
Sitting near different important geopolitical points, the British went ahead and built an airfield on Faroe to be used against to potential German warships. Because the point was obscured from enemies, The British Royal Engineers built the airport to the west of the Lake Sorvagsvatn.
How Did This Optical Illusion Lake In The Faroe Islands Come To Exist?
The Faroe Islands are a self-governing archipelago, and are part of the kingdom of Denmark. Traditionally hard to get to, the islands are connected through road tunnels, bridges, ferries, and causeways.
Hikers and bird watchers are drawn to the islands. The Lake Sorvagsvatn, with its beauty and optical illusion, has attracted photographers and nature enthusiasts for years.
The picture below, which was taken 100 meters above at an angle to create such an image, makes the lake appear much higher than the North Atlantic Ocean.
However, as you can see in the following image, the lake only sits 30 meters above sea level. So, the optical illusion is a compelling and breathtaking result of a simple camera angle, taken from a unique perspective.
Geography of the Lake
The lake actually sits on a gentle slope, and while it appears to sit on the same level as the cuesta, it does not. In the following picture, you see a more accurate representation of the distance between the lake and the sea. In addition to this, you also see the Bøsdalafossur waterfall — the lake’s outlet into the Atlantic.
How To Get Sorvagsvatn
Are you ready for a trip?
Unlike the world’s most Instagrammable road trips, getting to Lake Sørvágsvatn will require much more than your vehicle.
You’ll fly to the Faroese Island of Vágar (the same as the airport). The island itself is easily reached from the Capital City, Tórshavn on the island of Streymoy by one epically long sea tunnel that connects the islands together.
The drive from the capital takes around 45 minutes, whilst the drive from the airport takes around 15 minutes.
The hike will take you between one to one and a half hours. Visitors say that while it’s a relatively easy hike, once you get to the edge of the cliff you’ll be out of breath.
Whether that’s from the view (quite literally “breathtaking” according to travellers) or from the hike itself will depend on your level of fitness and how impressed you are by the view!
Best Time To Visit & Other Considerations
June through August is the most popular time to visit the Faroe Islands.
There are many considerations, among them the weather. It’s warmer, more settled, and less wet during these months. Because of this, experts recommend to spend at least 4-5 full days in the Faroe Islands.
This, they say, will allow you to take in the full beauty of your surroundings. Taking your time will also allow for a more relaxing trip, and you can also hit up some of the other captivating hikes on the islands.
To learn more about visiting the Faroe Islands, and adding Lake Sørvágsvatn to your Instagram feed (for realsies, rather than just posting other people’s pictures of it) go here.
You’ll find recommendations of all the incredible things you can do around this archipelago, and learn so much about the history, culture, and even the mysterious myths about the lake itself.
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