Would you like to explore the best of the Orkney Islands? This guidebook covers 15 of the best short walks in the area (between 3.5 and 10.5km), including Kirkwall Town, Skara Brae, Brough of Deerness, Marwick Head, Stromness, the Old Man of Hoy, Graemsay, Rousay, Eday, Westray and Stronsay.

Why choose this guidebook?

• Easy to moderate walks suitable for almost everyone
• Short climbs but no challenging terrain
• Numbered points which tie maps to clear route description
• Details of public toilets and refreshments along the route
• Route Summary Table to help you choose your walk

Cicerone’s Short Walks guidebooks contain everything you need to get outdoors and discover the best of an area. The short walks are perfect if you’re new to walking or looking for something you can enjoy with the whole family. Let the adventures begin!

Map key
Overview map
Using this guide
Route summary table
Introduction
Walking on the Orkney Islands
Special things to see
Bases and places to stay
Getting there and around
The walks
1. Kirkwall town trail and the Peerie Sea
2. Wideford Hill and chambered cairn
3. Skara Brae and the Bay of Skaill
4. Brough of Deerness and Mull Head
5. Marwick Head
6. Brough of Birsay and the Earl’s Palace
7. Yesnaby Castle and the Brough of Bigging
8. Stromness and the Sands of Warebeth
9. Hoy: The Old Man of Hoy
10. Graemsay: Island circuit
11. Rousay: Mid Howe Cairn and Broch
12. Rousay: Faraclett Head
13. Eday: Ward Hill
14. Westray: Noup Head
15. Stronsay: Vat of Kirbuster
 
Useful information

Seasons

The best time to fully enjoy the wildlife on these islands is May to July, but the scenery is spectacular year round and the archaeological sites are quieter off-season.

Centres

Kirkwall, Stromness, Rousay, Hoy, Westray, Eday, Stronsay

Difficulty

The walks in this book are easy to follow and mostly on good paths, but there are sections that are pathless, and occasionally boggy, especially after rain. None of the clifftop walks have fences or barriers so care is needed.

Must See

The Neolithic village site of Skara Brae; the Old Man of Hoy; the lovely old town of Kirkwall; the seabird cities of Marwick Head and Noup Head; spectacular coastal cliff scenery and stunning sandy beaches; Mid Howe Broch and Chambered Cairn on the island of Rousay

We do not yet have any updates available for this book

We are always grateful to readers for information about any discrepancies between a guidebook and the facts on the ground. If you would like to send some information to us then please use our contact form. They will be published here following review by the author(s).

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