Foreigners to pay more for hiking in Mykines

Hiking beyond the beaten path in Mykines will soon be more expensive, but only for adult foreigners, as children and Faroese hikers will no longer be charged.

Mykines locals last summer introduced a DKK 100 walking fee for everyone walking beyond the beaten path on the island. This fee has now been increased to DKK 250 and will only apply to foreigners and commercial group tours.

This is done in an effort to preserve the nature, as the ever-increasing number of tourists is taking its toll on wildlife and the terrain, according to the locals.

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This charging system requires more administrative work, but the locals agree on the importance of allowing Faroese people to hike in their own country free of charge. They also agree that it is only fair for  the tourism industry to pay its share of the maintenance of the island’s terrain.

The money collected from tourists is put into a trust fund for improving living conditions on the island.

Some of the money will be spent on constructing pathways in the mountains, purchasing communication equipment and installing a new altarpiece for the church, painted by the island’s world-famous artist, Sámal-Joensen Mikines.

Translated by prosa.fo