What you get on this adventure: An experienced hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area Six days of guided walks and day hikes Ensuite solo occupancy accommodations for 5 nights at The Ferry Inn in Stromness (discount available if you’ll share a room) Breakfasts, packed lunches, and three-course dinners for the duration of the tour, as described in the itinerary Ferry to Hoy Transfers for hikes where required Entrance to Skara Brae What’s not included: Transportation to Stromness Drinks from the Inn bar Travel and medical insurance Guide gratuities — optional

How fit do I need to be?

This tour can be done by beginner hikers, but you need to be decently fit. You will be hiking for 4-6 hours daily, covering around 6.5 miles (10 km) a day with regular refreshment stops. The most you’ll hike within a day is 10.5 miles (17 km), with 400 m (1,310 ft) of elevation gain. Check out the itinerary for day-by-day distances. You also need to be able to handle some steep ascents and descents, all the while carrying a pack filled with the things you’ll need throughout the day. However, with light preparation and enough willpower, you should be able to handle this tour no matter your age or skill level.

What do I need to bring?

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring: Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 25-40L bag) Hiking poles — optional Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity) Lightweight hiking boots or shoes Spare clothes for layering and 5 days of hiking Waterproof rain jacket Sunhat Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.) Headlamp or flashlight Sunglasses Camera — optional (but recommended) 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.

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and prices: For this group adventure, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 10:1. The minimum number needed for this tour to run is usually 4 women. However, it’s also possible to run the tour with smaller groups if participants cover the extra cost required for it to operate. This will usually be discussed between you and your guide 6 weeks prior to the tour start date. Hiking in the Orkney Islands can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements. Min. age requirements: If you are older than 18, you’re good to go. Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. If your group has hikers under the age of 18 , contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Are dogs allowed on this tour?

There are too many livestock on Orkney so dogs or any other animals are not allowed.

Getting there and meeting location

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 4 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. If you’re joining a 2024 departure, your guides can pick you up a day prior to the start of the tour in Inverness. If you need any help booking accommodation for the night in Inverness, your guides can help you out.

Safety measures and insurance

We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection . To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible , simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner ! Redpoint tailors their 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. Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!

Women’s Hiking Tour of Scotland’s Orkney Islands

Hiker near the historic Skara Brae settlement in the Orkneys, Scotland.

A hiker exploring the Ring of Brodgar in the Orkney Islands

An island settlement surrounded by water in Scotland’s Orkney Islands.

A boat anchored in the harbor in a seaside town in the Orkney Islands.

Vibrant wildflowers along a beach in the Orkney Islands.

Cliffs along the sea in the Orkney Islands, United Kingdom.

Stromness | Orkney/Scotland/United Kingdom

Women’s Hiking tour of Scotland’s Orkney Islands

Season

August through October

Duration

6 days

Difficulty

Accommodation

Ferry Inn Hotel in Stromness, ideal for a true Scottish experience

Guides

Stef Lauer, Walking Women

Book a call

From $2,660 () / 6 days

Intro
Itinerary
Brochure
Guides
Accommodation
Things to know

As soon as you leave the Scottish mainland, you feel the magic and mystery of far-flung Orkney archipelago. Spend six days exploring some of the UK’s most remote coastal landscapes, where raging seas bash agains looming sea stacks, waterways abound in sunken ships, and Stone age monuments coexist with Viking monoliths. Fueled by local delicacies (or whisky, we don’t judge), you’ll roam rolling hills, rest on stunning beaches, ferry to curious islands, and explore lands forged by 5,000 years of history, including the best-preserved neolithic settlement in Western Europe. If you want to see landscapes straight out of a fantasy book, make your way to the islands shimmering in sea mists.

Adventure highlights

Scottish landscapes & impressive history

Explore remote landscapes & historic sites teeming with myth and mystery, including Viking monoliths and a 5,000-year-old settlement
Gorgeous walks along rugged coastlines

Marvel at some of the largest sea stacks in the UK, and see in person the Old Man of Hoy
All-inclusive & all-women journey

Spend 6 days in the charming Scottish wilderness & seaside town of Stromness alongside like-minded women

Download itinerary

Itinerary

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.

Meet your guide and group around 4 pm at the Ferry Inn which is just across from the Stormness ferry terminal. After a welcome meeting, you’ll have dinner together with your group, and, time permitting, you’ll enjoy an evening stroll and dinner together at the Inn.

Accommodation: Ferry Inn Hotel in Stromness
Meals: Three-course dinner
Today is all about exploration by a minibus. Stopping, admiring, and exploring, that’s what you’ll be doing, with some walks. The Orphir walk leads you to Orkney Saga Centre, it’s a short coastal walk up to 3.5 km. You can also do the Birsay walk, visiting Earls Palace, Brough of Birsay (subject to low tide times), and a coastal walk, up to 6 km. Between walks, you can expect a scenic drive around the island. This should give you a good overview of the thousands of years of history and heritage on this island.

Hiking: 3.5-6 km / 2.2-3.7 miles
Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, three-course dinner
Accommodation: Ferry Inn Hotel in Stromness
Today you will travel to Skara Brae, one of the most fascinating sites in all of Scotland. A stone-built neolithic settlement on a stunning sandy beach which dates back to around 3,000 years BC. This is proper time travel! Apart from thast, you will see and walk amongst the Standing Stones of Stenness, Ring of Brodgar, Skara Brae and Skaill House, and the West Coast. Return for your evening meal at the Ferry Inn and enjoy dinner with your group.

Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, three-course dinner
Accommodation: Ferry Inn Hotel in Stromness
After viewing Hoy from a distance yesterday, board a small passenger ferry at 10am and set foot on it! Rackwick Glen is a scenic reminder of the empty glens of Scotland’s northwest, but it’s the Old Man that’s the star here. The Old Man of Hoy is one of the tallest sea stacks in the UK, and the highlight of the day’s walk. You might even spot a pair of climbers tackling this soaring cliff. Return to visit a cafe/wander on the beach before catching the ferry at 6.30pm. Arrive in Stomness at 7pm for an evening meal together at your hotel.

Hiking: 17 km / 10.5 miles, 6 hours
Elevation gain: 400 m / 1,310 ft
Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, three-course dinner
Accommodation: Ferry Inn Hotel in Stromness
Rest up your legs as you explore Orkney’s largest town, Kirkwall (population: 8,500), and learn about the history of its cathedral, St Magnus. Built almost 900 years ago, this spectacular church was dedicated to one of the earliest Earls of Orkney, who was immortalized in the Icelandic Orkneyinga Sagas. There is plenty to see around Kirkwall and you will enjoy another leisurely walk near it. There is also the option to do the South Ronaldsay Coastal Walk, up to 10 km. For those that prefer to stay and rest, there is plenty to explore in Kirkwall.

Hiking (optional): 10 km / 6 miles, 3 hours
Elevation gain: 300 m / 985 ft
Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, three-course dinner
Accommodation: Ferry Inn Hotel in Stromness
Say goodbye to your new friends and leave Orkney after a final breakfast together.

Meals: Breakfast and packed lunch

Women’s Hiking tour of Scotland’s Orkney Islands

Adventure Brochure

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Talk with us and let one of our adventure experts help you plan your perfect adventure.

Meet your guides

5.00

Stef Lauer

Born and raised in Germany, Stef Lauer has called Scotland home since 2005, and she delights in sharing the country she loves with visitors. Apart from being a walking tour guide, she is an outdoor ethics trainer highly interested in cultural heritage and natural interpretation. Stef is also fascinated by the travels of Anne Lister and running walking tours in Edinburgh, weaving her diary entries into the fabric of the city. She spends her time off the trails with her wife and Vizsla dog Mara, on a farm near Grantown in the Cairngorms.

5.00

Walking Women

Sisters Sara and Ginny, the owners of Walking Women, are passionate about sharing their love for walking and having fantastic experiences with friends and family. Walking Women’s mission is to provide a safe space for women to explore and venture together. Their focus is always on supporting local communities and prioritizing women-led businesses as their partners and suppliers.

Accommodation

The Ferry Inn

Our base during this all-women hiking adventure will be the award-winning & traditional Ferry Inn. Situated on the harborfront in Stromness, Orkney’s gateway port, The Ferry Inn proves itself as a perfect based for our hikes.

For over 30 years, The Ferry has served as one of Orkney’s must-visit pubs, playing a full part in the daily life of the town, hosting a variety of events and festivals throughout the year. But this is also a place to stay—it features 20 ensuite rooms.

In order to encourage solo travelers and provided maximum comfort, we base this trip on a solo occupancy basis. If you’d like to share a room with a friend, family, or partner, you can add a discount upon checkout!

Things to know

What you get on this adventure:
- - An experienced hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  - Six days of guided walks and day hikes
  - Ensuite solo occupancy accommodations for 5 nights at The Ferry Inn in Stromness (discount available if you’ll share a room)
  - Breakfasts, packed lunches, and three-course dinners for the duration of the tour, as described in the itinerary
  - Ferry to Hoy
  - Transfers for hikes where required
  - Entrance to Skara Brae
What’s not included:
- - Transportation to Stromness
  - Drinks from the Inn bar
  - Travel and medical insurance
  - Guide gratuities — optional
This tour can be done by beginner hikers, but you need to be decently fit. You will be hiking for 4-6 hours daily, covering around 6.5 miles (10 km) a day with regular refreshment stops. The most you’ll hike within a day is 10.5 miles (17 km), with 400 m (1,310 ft) of elevation gain. Check out the itinerary for day-by-day distances.

You also need to be able to handle some steep ascents and descents, all the while carrying a pack filled with the things you’ll need throughout the day. However, with light preparation and enough willpower, you should be able to handle this tour no matter your age or skill level.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
- - Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 25-40L bag)
  - Hiking poles — optional
  - Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
  - Lightweight hiking boots or shoes
  - Spare clothes for layering and 5 days of hiking
  - Waterproof rain jacket
  - Sunhat
  - Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
  - Headlamp or flashlight
  - Sunglasses
  - Camera — optional (but recommended)
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.
Group sizes and prices:
- - For this group adventure, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 10:1.
  - The minimum number needed for this tour to run is usually 4 women. However, it’s also possible to run the tour with smaller groups if participants cover the extra cost required for it to operate. This will usually be discussed between you and your guide 6 weeks prior to the tour start date.
Hiking in the Orkney Islands can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements:
- - If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  - Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
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 4 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.

If you’re joining a 2024 departure, your guides can pick you up a day prior to the start of the tour in Inverness. If you need any help booking accommodation for the night in Inverness, your guides can help you out.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

Redpoint tailors their 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.

Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!
Deposits

You can secure one of the 2025 dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

Secure your early bird spot with a 10% deposit! This tour gets sold out very quickly, but with early-bird booking, you will be the first one to know about any new upcoming dates. Pick your preferred dates without the risk of your bucket list adventure selling out!
- - Only 10% of the total amount should be paid as a deposit upon booking. This deposit is non-refundable, but can be transferred to another 57hours adventure anytime in case the dates don’t suit you.
  - Once the dates are set, you can confirm your booking by paying another 20% of the total amount.
  - The final balance is due 3 months (90 days) prior to departure.
Cancellations

Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

Basic
- - In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
  - For cancellations 90 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a 70% refund of the trip price.
  - For cancellations 0-89 days before the trip, there is no refund.
Flexible
- - In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
  - For cancellations 90 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
  - For cancellations 60-89 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
  - For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, there is no refund.
Super Flexible
- - In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    
    For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
- For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
57hours partners with Redpoint Travel Protection, offering you a fully integrated program with a single point of contact for all your needs, from emergency services to travel assistance and protection claims. We highly recommend purchasing a comprehensive protection policy from Redpoint, which will protect you both before and during your travels. Before your departure, your investment is protected by the trip cancellation benefit. Once you depart, your policy provides coverage for trip interruption, medical assistance and rescue, baggage loss, trip delay, and more. Once you complete booking with 57hours, we'll create bespoke quote for you (and your group), making sure you're fully protected for the adventure ahead.