Cuilags, Old Man of Hoy and Rackwick — Orkney Islands

Hiking trails & Routes

United Kingdom

Scotland

Orkney islands

Graemsay, Hoy And Walls

Cuilags, Old Man of Hoy and Rackwick — Orkney Islands

Hard

4.4

(11)

hikers

Cuilags, Old Man of Hoy and Rackwick — Orkney Islands

06:00

20.8km

600m

Hiking

This difficult 13.0-mile (20.8 km) hike on Hoy takes you through some of the Orkney Islands' wildest landscapes, climbing 1965 feet (599 metres) over roughly 6 hours. You will traverse steep, exposed hill ground and rough moorland, often pathless and wet underfoot. The route showcases dramatic coastal scenery, including the…

Last updated: April 23, 2026

Tips

Includes an off-grid segment

Navigation instructions may be limited.

After 2.87 km for 3.71 km

Waypoints

Start point

Ferry Terminal

Get Directions

486 m

Benethill Cafe

Highlight • Cafe

Open April until end of September . Great range - also beer wines and spirits!!

Tip by

10.0 km

Old Man of Hoy

Highlight • Climb

Created by the sea eroding the cliff surrounding it, the Old Man of Hoy is less than 400 years old.

Translated by Google •

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12.7 km

View of Rackwick Bay

Highlight • Trail

If you are walking or cycling, you may try to keep an eye on all sides as far as you can. After all, beautiful panoramas can pop up on all …

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14.7 km

Rackwick to Moaness Path, Isle of Hoy

Highlight • Natural

This pretty path through the glen from Rackwick to Hoy follows Rackwick Burn, the Ford of Hoy is the point where you can cross the burn.

There are some wonderful …

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17.5 km

Sandy Loch

Highlight • Lake

A glorious walk! Highly recommend.

Tip by

20.8 km

End point

Ferry Terminal

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

7.96 km

4.89 km

3.71 km

3.48 km

553 m

270 m

Surfaces

11.9 km

4.04 km

3.69 km

1.20 km

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Today

Thursday 12 November

7°C

3°C

44 %

Additional weather tips

There’s a fairly high chance of rain. Consider packing a waterproof jacket.

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

May 21, 2025,Cuilags, Old Man of Hoy en Rackwick — Orkney Eilanden

If you want to do the circular walk, you have to make a very steep climb of 400m up the Cuilags at the start of the walk. The slope is so steep that you do not want to have it as a descent at the end of the walk. After that, the walk continues to the sea over rough terrain …

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