New bridge proposed to ease tourist pressure on Faroese sheep path

A new pedestrian bridge may be built in Rituskor, Suðuroy, after a surge in tourist traffic overwhelmed an old sheep path originally intended for local farmers, Faroese broadcaster KVF reports.

The existing stone bridge, maintained by farmer Bárður Willumsen for livestock access, has seen heavy use by visitors despite lacking official approval as a hiking route. Jacob Vestergaard, the Faroese minister for labour, stated that tourists have no right to use the path, as it is neither a designated trail nor maintained for public access.

Willumsen and Magnus Pauli West, director of Visit Suðuroy, have both proposed constructing a new, safer bridge to accommodate tourist demand while preserving the original structure for agricultural use.