Walking on the Orkney and Shetland Isles

A guidebook to 80 walks on the Isles of Shetland and Orkney. From short strolls to ancient monuments to more challenging cliff-top routes and moorland traverses, there is something for walkers of all levels of fitness and experience.

Overview mapMap keyIntroductionWildlifeArchaeology and historyWalking on the Northern IslesGetting to the Northern IslesGetting between Orkney and ShetlandWhen to goWhat to takeMaps and accessUsing this guideORKNEYWalking on OrkneyOrkney mainlandWalk 1 Mull Head and the Brough of DeernessWalk 2 The Deerness memorialWalk 3 Wideford HillWalk 4 Skara Brae, Yesnaby and StromnessWalk 5 Marwick Head and the Kitchener memorialWalk 6 Brough HeadWalk 7 The Loch of Hundland and Mid HillWalk 8 Fibla Fiold and Mid TooinSouthern islandsWalk 9 South Ronaldsay - Hoxa HeadWalk 10 Burray - the Hunda ReefWalk 11 Hoy - Heldale Water and Tor NessWalk 12 Hoy - The Old Man of Hoy, St John's Head and Cuilags from RackwickWalk 13 Hoy - Ward Hill from MoanessNorthern islandsWalk 14 Rousay - Knitchen Hill and the Trumland RSPB ReserveWalk 15 Rousay - Mid Howe Broch and the Westness walkWalk 16 Rousay - the Suso Burn and Kierfea HillWalk 17 Rousay - Faraclett HeadWalk 18 Eday - Ward Hill and War NessWalk 19 Eday - Noup Hill and Red HeadWalk 20 Eday - Fers Ness and West SideWalk 21 Westray - Inga Ness to Noup HeadWalk 22 Papa Westray - Mull Head and the North Hill RSPB ReserveWalk 23 North Ronaldsay - coastal traverseSHETLANDWalking on ShetlandMainland southWalk 24 Jarlshof and Sumburgh HeadWalk 25 The Ness of Burgi Iron Age fortWalk 26 Fitful HeadWalk 27 Around Fora NessWalk 28 St Ninian's Isle over the tomboloWalk 29 To the Taing of MaywickWalk 30 Deepdale from MaywickWalk 31 Sandwick to No NessWalk 32 The Helli Ness peninsulaWalk 33 Muskna Field from Wester QuarffWalk 34 Scrae Field and the White Stone of ToufieldSouthern islandsWalk 35 Fair Isle - the climb to Ward HillWalk 36 Fair Isle - Malcolm's HeadWalk 37 Fair Isle - a west coast traverseWalk 38 Mousa - the Mousa Broch and RSPB reserveWalk 39 West Burra - Kettla NessWalk 40 East Burra - Houss Ness and the Ward of SymbisterMainland centralWalk 41 Lerwick old town and the KnabWalk 42 Scalloway to the Hill of BurwickWalk 43 Fora NessWalk 44 Westerwick and CulswickWalk 45 Staneydale TempleWalk 46 Mu Ness to Deepdale over Sandness HillWalk 47 Ness of NoonsbroughWalk 48 Scalla Field and the Butter StoneWalk 49 The North Nesting coastCentral islandsWalk 50 Foula - the Daal to the Sneck Ida SmallieWalk 51 Foula - the SneugWalk 52 Foula - the NoupWalk 53 Bressay - the Ward of Bressay and the OrdWalk 54 Noss - Noss Head Nature ReserveWalk 55 Papa Stour - Virda Field and Mauns HillWalk 56 Whalsay - the Ward of ClettWalk 57 Out Skerries - Housay and Mio NessMainland northWalk 58 Lunna NessWalk 59 Ness of HillswickWalk 60 Esha Ness from TangwickWalk 61 Ronas Hill - highpoint of the Shetland IslesWalk 62 Ronas Hill, Langayre and the North Roe plateauWalk 63 The Beorgs of SkelberryWalk 64 Towards Uyea IslandWalk 65 Point of FethalandNorthern islandsWalk 66 Muckle Roe - the west coast and the HamsWalk 67 Yell - the Old Haa and Heoga NessWalk 68 Yell - Ward of OtterswickWalk 69 Yell - the White WifeWalk 70 Yell - Stuis of GravelandWalk 71 Yell - the Gloup and North NeapsWalk 72 Unst - Valla FieldWalk 73 Unst - the west coast of Unst and the Dale of WoodwickWalk 74 Unst - Keen of HamarWalk 75 Unst - the Horns of HagmarkWalk 76 Unst - the abandoned village of FramgordWalk 77 Unst - Hermaness National Nature ReserveWalk 78 Fetlar - Lamb HogaWalk 79 Fetlar - Funzie NessWalk 80 Fetlar - Vord HillAppendix A Route summary table