Hiking the St Magnus Way, Orkney 2027

SUMMARY

Dates: Friday 14th June to Wednesday 19th June 6 days/5 nights – we hike 5 days finishing on Wednesday. There is an option to continue and travel together on the overnight ferry leaving 11pm to the Shetland Isles where we spend 5 days hiking there.

Guide:  Sarah de Rees, lives on Orkney and has hiked extensively on Orkney and the Shetlands.

Walking Grade: Goat 3 as this is a long distance, pilgrimage path of 58 miles/93 km and we will be hiking each day during this trip. The terrain is a mix of coastal paths, cliffs, farmland , hills and quite inland tracks. We  pass though some villages – good for comfort breaks! It is a scenic long distance path and also a chance for some quite reflection.

Max distance: 15 miles/ 24 km in one day

Maximum ascent: 350m

Terrain: mixed good paths .

Highlights:

• Dramatic coastal scenery
• Cliff top walks with views over the Atlantic
• Brough of Birsay – a tidal island and an iconic view
• Ancient sites along the way
• The silence and space

Base: The Ferry Inn at the harbour in Stromness – a traditional, very popular Orkney pub with rooms. You can be sure of an island welcome and a true Scottish experience. We return here each night.

Getting there and arrival: Our starting point on is at The Ferry Inn, Stromness on the Island of Orkney. Arrive by 14.00 if you can to orientate and settle in. We would recommend arriving a day or two earlier if you can.

There are many ways to travel to Orkney – arriving to an island by ferry is particularly special. The ferry to Stromness departs from Scrabster.

From Inverness you can now take a new electric bus service direct from Inverness to Scrabster. We recommend arriving in Inverness and taking this bus . We can recommend hotels if you would like a night or two in Inverness.

New electric bus service Inverness to Scrabster

Ferry Info

You can also fly to Kirkwall and get a pre booked taxi to Stromness. If there are a few of you flying to Kirkwall we will connect you for sharing a taxi.

More information on getting to Stromness  is available here Getting to Orkney

We can always advise you.

Departure: Wednesday evening as we walk on Wednesday. For those coming on to Shetland we will be getting the overnight ferry. The Magnus Way holiday ends at 18.00.

Price: £COMING SOONper person for this fully inclusive holiday:

• Bed and Breakfast in ensuite double room for solo occupancy
• Packed Lunches including your final departure travel day.
• All evening meals – 3 courses
• Minibus for walks to explore the island fully
• Experienced Guide throughout your holiday

If you can bring a friend/partner and share a room there is a discount of  per person . 

Not included:

• Travel to Stromness
• Drinks from the bar
• Additional activities not in the itinerary

DETAILS

The Isles of Orkney lie in the very north of Scotland, just off the Scottish Mainland. It feels like a world away but the islands are surprisingly well connected.

Your journey to Orkney begins when you arrive in Stromness – The Ferry Inn, with its wonderful Scottish hospitality, your home for the next few days as you return here after each days hiking.

We offer holidays to Orkney to explore the islands but this year we wanted to introduce a long distance path. We like to offer some treks and this is a fantastic trail across mainland Orkney which was opened in 2017.

You can read more about it here St Magnus Way

ITINERARY

The itinerary may change depending on the weather and at the discretion of your guide. You will be briefed each day about the hike for the next day.