Scottish trail runners looking to push themselves further, both geographically and physically, should mark their diaries for 30 October – the day entries to the next Átjan Wild Islands trail running festival open.

Organisers Love Trails call their event, held in the Faroe Islands every September, an ‘inspirational five-day trail running, adventure and music experience’.

The islands themselves, ‘unspoiled, unexplored and unbelievably beautiful’ are situated in the North Atlantic, halfway between Scotland and Iceland. Before the pandemic, it was possible to fly direct to Vágar Airport from Scotland, but now connections need to be made in Amsterdam or Copenhagen.

But a few hours roaming in the duty free shouldn’t put Scots runners off signing up for what sounds like an unbelievable adventure.

Organisers promise participants a choice of four race distances, from 10K to around 65K, all through some of the most ‘breathtaking landscape on Earth’. Over the course of the five-day long festival, runners will ‘scale steep ascents and be able to look back on dramatic cliffs and crashing North Atlantic Waves … cross remote and rugged terrain, and finish by the sea, welcomed with a warm Faroese traditional dish and friendly applause from the islanders’. 

Festivalgoers will also be able to enjoy bracing wild swims and have the chance to explore spectacular waterfalls, lush green valleys and Europe’s tallest sea cliffs.

But Átjan Wild Islands isn’t just about pounding out trails and bagging Insta-ready views. Love Trails might be passionate about trail running, but they’re just as passionate about partying, promising evenings full of ‘high energy parties, live music performances and celebrations’, with dancing into the small hours.

The next Átjan Wild Islands will take place between 31 August and 4 September 2022. Only 200 tickets will go on sale at 10am on 30 October. Adventurous trail runners hoping to nab one of them should register their interest now for pre-sale information.

Image: Átjan Wild Islands