Uncover some of the remotest and most mysterious landscapes in the United Kingdom—embark on a six-day women’s hiking tour of the Orkney Islands! Roam picturesque beaches, view some of the UK’s tallest sea stacks, and see endless historic highlights, including the 900-year-old St. Magnus Cathedral and the 5,000-year-old Skara Brae, the best-preserved neolithic settlement in Western Europe.
Arrive in Stromness and meet at the Ferry Inn around 5 pm for a briefing with your guide. To get the lay of the land, we take a short orientation walk through Stromness—one of Orkney’s most charming harbour towns, with its flagstone streets and historic seafront. The evening is spent together over dinner at the Ferry Inn.
Accommodation: Ferry Inn Hotel in Stromness
Meals: Three-course dinner
Today we explore Orkney by minibus, travelling back through the millennia with plenty of stops along the way. We visit the haunting Scapa Flow and the Churchill Barriers, the ornate Italian Chapel, and the Tomb of the Eagles—a site spanning the Mesolithic, Neolithic, and Bronze Age eras, reached via a cliff-top walk. Entrance fees to the Italian Chapel and Tomb of the Eagles are included. We round off the day with a slow, barefoot-worthy stroll along a sandy beach, listening to the sea, the wind, and the birds.
Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, three-course dinner
Hiking: up to 8 km (5 mi)
Accommodation: Ferry Inn, Stromness
We spend the day exploring the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Highlights include the Standing Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar, two of Scotland’s most iconic prehistoric monuments, followed by a coastal cliff-top walk. We then visit Skara Brae, one of the world’s best-preserved Neolithic villages, and the nearby Skaill House—entrance fees included. The day wraps up with a walk along the beach.
Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, three-course dinner
Hiking: up to 8 km (5 mi)
Accommodation: Ferry Inn, Stromness
We take the foot passenger ferry from Stromness over to the island of Hoy, heading for one of the UK’s most iconic sea stacks—the Old Man of Hoy, a dramatic 137 m (449 ft) pillar of sandstone rising straight from the sea. Our walk sets off from Rackwick, following a good path through woodland and heather moorland, at a relaxed pace with plenty of stops along the way. This part of Hoy is also an RSPB reserve, so we keep our eyes peeled for eagles, hen harriers, wildflowers, and insects. Before catching the ferry back, there’s time for a stroll on the sandy beach or a cup of tea at the café.
Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, three-course dinner
Hiking: approx. 8 km (5 mi)
Elevation: +300 m (+984 ft)
Accommodation: Ferry Inn, Stromness
For our last full day, we give the legs a gentle rest with a couple of shorter walks and some time to explore Kirkwall, Orkney’s compact and characterful capital. The day takes us through the Orphir area, into Kirkwall’s streets and cathedral, and out to Mull Head nature reserve on the east coast—all with a maximum ascent of 100 m (328 ft).
Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, three-course dinner
Hiking: up to 8 km (5 mi)
Elevation: up to +100 m (+328 ft)
Accommodation: Ferry Inn, Stromness
Say goodbye to your new friends and leave Orkney after a final breakfast together.
Meals: Breakfast and packed lunch
Included:
Not included:
You need to be decently fit to join this adventure. This is perfect for women who want a gentle holiday and to enjoy exploring Orkney at a slower place.
Expect to walk for several hours per day, covering up to 8 km (5 mi), i.e., up to 300 m (990 ft) of elevation gain. Check out the itinerary for day-by-day distances.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
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Group sizes and prices:
Hiking in the Orkney Islands can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
There are too many livestock on Orkney so dogs or any other animals are not allowed.
To get to Stromness in the Orkney Islands, the starting point of the tour, most people fly into Aberdeen International Airport 6 hours away. From there, you can take a local flight or a six-hour ferry ride to Kirkwall and a taxi to Stromness.
You will meet your guides at the Ferry Inn in Stromness around 5 pm of Day 1, just across from the ferry terminal. Keep in mind that getting to Stromness can be complicated, so try to plan out your trip and purchase any tickets well in advance.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.