Accommodation in the Orkney Islands
Walking in the Orkney Isles
This guided walking holiday is suitable for for active travellers who are reasonably fit and enjoy moderate hikes. We walk at a comfortable pace and you can expect to be out for 5-6 hours a day. The terrain will be mostly good paths and hill trails but these can still be muddy and rough in places. Some hikes may involve an ascent up to a max of approx 1,500 feet / 450m. Distances will be typically 8-10km but there may be the odd slightly longer day. Daily hike details are available in the itinerary.
The weather in Scotland can be unpredictable and at times can make activities more challenging. Please do bear this in mind when thinking about what trip to join.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Travel to Orkney
We meet in Inverness and transfer north. Our journey to the Orkney Islands follows the north-east coast of the Highlands and onwards over the Pentland Firth. We reach Orkney in the late afternoon, where we’ll visit the Italian Chapel, two Nissan huts converted into a place of worship by prisoners of war. We’ll then continue on to our hotel which is situated nearby to the major archaeological sites which add to the intrigue to these islands. This evening we enjoy a welcome dinner and briefing from your guide for what lies ahead. (L, D)
Day 2 – Rousay and the Mid Howe Broch
We drive to the Eynhallow Sound and take a local ferry to the island of Rousay. We enjoy two short walks here – the Westness Walk to the Mid Howe broch and a superb moorland walk around Faraclett Head. (B, L, D)
Walk details: 8km/ 5 miles | approx. 4 hrs
Day 3 – The Gloup and Mull Head
Today our walk starts at The Gloup, a partially collapsed sea cave from where we head north along the coast to Mull Head. Tonight we enjoy dinner back at our hotel. (B, L, D)
Walk details: 9km/ 6 miles | approx. 4 hrs
Day 4 – The Old Man of Hoy, Scapa Flow & Rackwick Bay
A short drive along the edge of Scapa Flow takes us to Stromness where we catch the ferry to the island of Hoy. Here we walk to the famous Old Man of Hoy and some of Britain’s highest sea cliffs before returning to Rackwick Bay. We enjoy dinner in a local pub or restaurant on the way back to the hotel.(B, L, D)
Walk details: 10km/ 6 miles | approx. 5 hrs
Day 5 – Brough Head to Marwick Head, Skara Brae
Today we visit the Stone Age village of Skara Brae, discovered in 1850 after a storm cleared away the sand dunes that were covering it. Afterwards, from Brough Head, a superb walk follows the coast south to Marwick Head – one of the largest seabird
colonies in the Northern Isles. (B, L, D)
Walk details: 6km/ 3.5 miles | approx. 2-3 hrs
Day 6 – Stromness, Ring of Brodgar & the Sand of Warebeth
Today we visit the historic Ring of Brodgar, Stones of Stenness and Maes Howe. Afterwards, we follow a coastal path from Stromness to The Ness before heading west for the Sand of Warebeth. (B, L, D)
Walk details:8km/ 5 miles | approx. 3 hr
Day 7 – Return to Inverness
After breakfast, we will return to the mainland and Inverness, via the rugged coastal scenery of the Northern tip of Scotland. (B, L)
Dates and Availability
Trip Dates for 2022:
- 26th Mar – 1st Apr 2022 – 2 places left
- 9th Apr – 15th Apr 2022 – 1 place left
- 23rd Apr – 29th Apr 2022 – Trip Full
- 7th May – 13th May 2022 – 2 places left
- 28th May – 3rd Jun 2022 – 1 place left
- 25th Jun – 1st Jul 2022 – Trip Full
- 16th Jul – 22nd Jul 2022 – Trip Full
- 30th Jul – 5th Aug 2022 – Trip Full
- 13th Aug – 19th Aug 2022 *Women only departure* – 3 places left
- 10th Sep – 16th Sep 2022 – 1 place left
- 24th Sep – 30th Sep 2022 – 1 place left
- 8th Oct – 14th Oct 2022 – 4 places left
For solo travellers: Accommodation is based on sharing a twin room with another solo traveller of the same gender. A limited number of rooms for single occupancy are available on a first come first served basis, subject to a single supplement of £425.-.
Please enquire for availability.
Please contact the holiday provider, through the contact form, for more information.
