Orphir is a region located in the southwest corner of mainland Orkney, Scotland. Its landscape features a blend of quiet country roads, wild heather hills, and rugged coastlines along Scapa Flow. This diverse terrain provides opportunities for several outdoor activities, including road cycling, hiking, touring cycling, jogging, and mountain biking. The area offers panoramic views across Scapa Flow and towards the islands of Hoy and Graemsay.
Orphir offers 8 routes for outdoor enthusiasts, catering to…
61
Routes
4.3
(114)
Average rating
985
People visited

4.4
(10)
43
hikers
11.5km
03:00
70m
70m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

11
hikers
3.03km
00:46
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
2
hikers
6.99km
01:52
80m
80m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(5)
63
hikers
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

4.5
(2)
24
riders
65.6km
04:05
530m
530m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(5)
28
riders
49.9km
03:02
420m
420m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
riders
43.6km
02:36
270m
270m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(6)
54
riders
30.5km
01:50
240m
230m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

40
riders
102km
05:31
820m
820m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

25
riders
71.9km
04:18
580m
580m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

7
riders
60.8km
02:57
400m
400m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4
riders
40.4km
01:43
290m
290m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

3.0
(1)
1
riders
56.9km
03:50
510m
510m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.4
(5)
16
riders
23.5km
01:21
210m
210m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(3)
17
riders
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
riders
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

5.0
(1)
42
runners
9.74km
01:03
70m
70m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

32
runners
6.22km
00:39
30m
30m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

19
runners
4.56km
00:28
20m
20m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

16
runners
7.77km
00:50
80m
80m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
Orphir offers a variety of outdoor activities including road cycling, hiking, touring cycling, jogging, and mountain biking. The region features quiet country roads, heather hills, and rugged coastlines. There are 8 routes available, with an average rating of 4.41 stars from more than 4,000 visitors.
Yes, Orphir is suitable for road cycling with quiet country roads and terrain ranging from flat to gently undulating. The 'North Sea Cycle Route: Kirkwall - Orphir Loop' is a moderate 22.2-mile (35.8 km) path. Cyclists can find more information in the Road Cycling Routes around Orphir guide.
Orphir provides diverse hiking experiences, from coastal strolls to clifftop treks. The 'Orphir Coastal Path' offers views of Scapa Flow. A section of the 'St Magnus Way' from Orphir to Kirkwall is 12.7 miles (20.4 km) and includes moorland and cliff exposure. Further details are available in the Hiking around Orphir guide.
Orphir offers routes suitable for various fitness levels, including options for beginners. The terrain for cycling is generally flat to gently undulating. For hiking, there are gentle coastal strolls available, and specific easy hiking routes are detailed in the Easy hikes around Orphir guide.
Orphir's landscape includes views across Scapa Flow, wild heather-covered hills, and beautiful beaches like Waukmill Bay. The Scorradale road offers panoramic views over the islands of Hoy and Graemsay. The region also features rugged coastlines and diverse wildlife, including seabirds and seals.
Yes, Orphir has significant historical sites, particularly related to Norse history. These include the Orphir Round Kirk, which is connected to the Orkneyinga Saga, and the Earl's Bu, the foundations of a Norse Earls' home. The area also holds World War history related to Scapa Flow.
Komoot offers several guides for Orphir, covering various sports. These include Road Cycling Routes around Orphir, Hiking around Orphir, Cycling around Orphir, Easy hikes around Orphir, Running Trails around Orphir, and MTB Trails around Orphir.
Yes, the ability to take bikes on inter-island ferries expands touring possibilities from Orphir. This allows cyclists to explore other parts of the Orkney Islands. E-bike hire is also available in the wider Orkney area.
The St Magnus Way is an extensive 67-mile route encompassing much of West Mainland, which includes Orphir. A section from Orphir to Kirkwall is 12.7 miles (20.4 km) and combines road and track walking with challenging sections of heather moorland and cliff exposure.
Orphir is a popular destination for outdoor activities on komoot, with more than 4,000 visitors having shared their experiences. The available routes have an average rating of 4.41 out of 5 stars, indicating a high level of satisfaction among users.
For comprehensive tourism information about the Orkney Islands, including Orphir, the official tourism website is Orkney.com. For general inquiries, the Orkney Islands Council customer services can be reached at 01856 873535.

