Route 34 is an amazing drive with tunnels in the island of Suðuroy

Route 34 is a paved road located in the northern part of Suðuroy, the southernmost island of the Faroe Islands. The drive provides stunning views as it runs for 13.4 km (8.32 miles) from Trongisvágur, situated at the end of Trongisvágsfjørður on the east coast, to Sandvík, the northernmost village on the island.

Route 34

Where is Route 34?

Route 34 connects the settlements of Trongisvágur and Sandvík, running south to north through the island. The road passes through mountainous terrain and includes tunnel sections.

Is Route 34 paved?

Yes, Route 34 is fully paved. It includes some narrow sections and areas with a risk of rockfalls. Driving conditions can vary depending on weather and traffic.

What tunnels are on Route 34?

The road includes two road tunnels:

  • Hvalbiartunnilin (new): Opened in 2021, this tunnel is 2.5 km (1.6 mi) long, with two lanes and a clearance of 4.5 meters (15 ft). It was constructed to replace the original Hvalbiartunnil, which had become unsuitable for modern traffic. The new tunnel is located north of the older one and is accessed by newly constructed approach roads — 2.4 km on the Hvalba side and 1.4 km on the Trongisvágur side.
  • Sandvíkartunnilin: Built in 1970, this tunnel remains in use and provides access to Sandvík.

What happened to the original Hvalbiartunnilin?

The original Hvalbiartunnilin opened in 1963 as the first road tunnel in the Faroe Islands. It was 1,450 meters (0.90 mi) long, with a height clearance of 3.2 meters (10 ft) and a single unlit lane. Due to its limited size, it could not accommodate larger vehicles such as trucks and tour buses. Traffic was regulated by passing places, and northbound vehicles were required to yield. The road through the old tunnel was challenging and difficult, so it was bypassed by a new section of road and the new tunnel. The old tunnel was decommissioned and closed to traffic on 8 May 2021, following the opening of the new Hvalbiartunnilin. It is currently fenced off, and future use is under consideration.

Why was a new tunnel built?

The replacement was initiated in response to traffic limitations caused by the old tunnel’s dimensions. Construction of the new Hvalbiartunnilin began in 2019 and was completed in 2020. The project was carried out by ArtiCon and LNS at a cost of 272 million DKK. It was officially opened on 8 May 2021.

 

 

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