Cuilags, Old Man of Hoy and Rackwick — Orkney Islands
Cuilags, Old Man of Hoy and Rackwick — Orkney Islands
4.3
(10)
41
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
Tip by
10.0 km
Old Man of Hoy
Highlight • Climb
Translated by Google •
Tip by
12.7 km
View of Rackwick Bay
Highlight • Trail
Translated by Google •
Tip by
14.7 km
Rackwick to Moaness Path, Isle of Hoy
Highlight • Natural
There are some wonderful …
Tip by
17.5 km
Sandy Loch
Highlight • Lake
Tip by
20.8 km
End point
Ferry Terminal
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
7.86 km
4.96 km
3.73 km
3.47 km
550 m
277 m
Surfaces
11.9 km
4.10 km
4.02 km
863 m
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Elevation
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Weather
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Tuesday 26 May
14°C
7°C
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This route was planned by komoot.
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Trail Reviews
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 with peaty vegetation without clear paths. GPS navigation is really necessary.