Ferry 56 from Klaksvík to Syðradalur is a quick 20 minute ride. From here, I began my search for the Kallur lighthouse that marks the northern tip of Kalsoy.

From Syðradalur, the only direction is north. A single lane road passes through four tunnels as it wends its way along the beautiful eastern coast of the island.

In the winter season, the ferry only runs three times on Sundays. I had a little under four hours to reach the lighthouse and return back to the southern end of the island, or else I would have to wait until evening for the next ferry.

A few final hairpin turns brought me to Trøllanes, nestled between two sizable peaks at the north end of the island. Intuitively, I knew that once I entered the village, I should continue my trek north on foot.

I doubted myself the instant I got out of the car. I was staring at what looked like a climb up a mountain. To add to my hesitation, I could see that I would have to trek around the peak that I could see from below, but I had no idea which direction was the correct one.

A small red outfield gate in the distance was the only additional hint that maybe something special lay up and over that mountain.

Much as I had experienced in my hikes the day before, the constant rain on the islands made the terrain uneven and slippery underfoot, and I was always watching out for the streams of runoff that carve their own way down the mountain. The initial ascent from Trøllanes was quite steep, to the point where I found it easier to zigzag my way up the slippery grass incline. The hand-wringing below about which direction to choose quickly became a non-issue, however, as the ascent eventually gave way to rolling fields and old stone relics.

At this point in my journey, I came to appreciate just how different the Faroe Islands had been from the rest of my travels. Its most iconic places sat unmarked, unassuming, yet well within reach. The islands only required that I forge my own path to find them.

Just an hour later, I had reached the Kallur lighthouse. I have pictures, but there are no further words. You have to see it for yourself.

Funningur was home base for my time on the islands. It's a small, peaceful village nestled between a beautiful fjord and the base of Slættaratindur, the highest peak in the Faroe Islands at an elevation of 882m. The first vikings to settle on the Faroe Islands settled here.

The Slættaratindur ascent was cold and windy. Throughout the hike I was buffeted by 20-30 mph winds, only to have it subside with amazing sun breaks, only to be completely washed out again by fog and mist. I was contemplating not even making the short but steep final climb to the summit, because it was shrouded in clouds for most of my ascent. When those clouds did clear, I was treated to a complete 360 degree view of the islands.