Wideford Hill – a Neolithic Cairn and Views over Orkney
Wideford Hill rises just west of Kirkwall, and from its top the whole of Orkney's Mainland spreads out around you, with Scapa Flow to the south and the North Isles beyond the town.
Tucked into its western slope is a chambered cairn about 5,000 years old that you can climb down into. It's a short, rewarding outing for anyone who likes a view and a bit of history.
- Time
- About an hour and a half.
- The path
- A rugged trail down the hillside to the cairn; a hatch and a ladder into the chamber.
- Where to start
- A small car park close to the top of the hill.
- Set off
- In daylight, in dry and clear weather.
- When to go
- All year, in daylight and dry weather.
- Children
- Climbing down into the cairn by its ladder; a hand needed on the steep trail.
- Before you set out
- Bring a torch for the cairn.
The walk
A small car park close to the top of Wideford Hill is the place to start. From it, a rugged trail leads down the hill's western slope to Wideford Hill chambered cairn, built about 5,000 years ago. You go in through a hatch and down a ladder into the large central chamber.
Its walls stand up to three metres high, with smaller cells leading off it and part of the original roof still in place. It's dark inside, so bring a torch. Sit on top of the cairn for the view over the fields and the loch below, then make the climb back to the car park.
From there carry on to the summit for views all round: Kirkwall, the West Mainland, Scapa Flow and the North Isles. The cairn is open all year. The trail is steep and rough in places, so wear boots, and leave it for a dry, clear day.
If it rains
Inside the cairn is dry, but the trail is open hillside and slippery when wet, and the views go in cloud. Keep it for a dry, clear day.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
None of ours is close by: the nearest is House of the Northern Gate, 28 miles away. Sleeps 18.
For further reading, before you go.
Photograph by Andy Nash via Google