North Hoy
Grade: Easy-Moderate
Biking distance: 12 miles (20 km)
Total ascent: 400 metres
Walking distance: 4.3 miles (7km)
Explore the north part of Orkney's second largest island - Hoy.
The day starts with a short ferry trip from Stromness across to Hoy, before heading off on single track roads between moorland and glacial valleys to explore the Dwarfie Stane, a prehistoric rock-cut chambered tomb dating back to c.3500BC.
Our route then continues south to the magical Rackwick Bay, or 'Wreckage Bay' according to the early Viking settlers. Enjoy a bike ride across the sand dunes, taking in the splendid red sandstone cliffs., or just relax and savour the wonders of this strikingly desolate yet beautiful beach. And no trip would be complete without a visit to the Old Man of Hoy - standing at 137 metres high, The Old Man is one of the tallest sea stacks in the British Isles and possibly the most famous.
We finish off with a well-earned coffee/tea (or beer!) and cake in the Beneth'ill Cafe, before returning to Stromness.
Westray
Grade: Easy-Moderate
Biking distance: 22 miles (36km)
Total ascent: 230 metres
Walking distance: less than 1 mile (1.6km)
Explore Westray, the sixth largest of the Orkney islands and home to Orkney's largest puffin colony.
Our day starts from Kirkwall with a 90-minute sailing to Rapness during which you can enjoy wildlife spotting and scenic views as we journey between the Orkney islands. From Rapness we head North past the majestic Bay of Tafts, before stopping off for some Puffin spotting! Our day continues with a cycle up to Pierowall, Westray's main village and harbour, and a visit to the 16th century Noltland Castle (look out for the Boky Hound ghost!). There is also an opportunity to pick up some local cheese and visit the Westray Heritage Centre.
For those wanting a longer cycle on Westray (and if the weather is favourable!), we continue up to Noup Head Lighthouse to some of Orkney's wildest coastal scenery, before heading back South to catch our late afternoon ferry back to Kirkwall.
Flotta
Grade: Easy-Moderate
Biking distance: 15 miles (25km)
Total ascent: 320 metres
Walking distance: 1 mile (1.6km)
Sitting at the entrance to Scapa Flow, the small island of Flotta has a big wartime history and is a real gem to explore by bike.
Our journey starts with a short ferry ride from Houton before we head off on the quiet roads and tracks to explore the wartime archaeology scattered around the island. First stop is the Golta 'Z' Battery, an anti-aircraft 'rocket' and camp site dating back to WWII., and the best preserved Z battery in the British Isles.
Stop off at the Flotta Heritage Centre, a renovated 1940's croft which now contains memorabilia covering two World Wars, when Orkney was home to the Royal Navy's Grand Fleet. Visit the derelict Stanger Head Naval Signal Station and Neb Coastal Battery where you can take in the amazing views across Scapa Flow and surrounding islands, or just relax and watch the nature and wildlife.
Sanday
Grade: Easy-Moderate
Biking distance: 30 miles (48km)
Total ascent: 380 metres
Walking distance: 1 mile (1.6km)
The name 'Sanday' means 'Sand Island', and if you love endless white sandy beaches, sand dunes, solitude, heritage and wildlife then Sanday is the place to visit.
Our day starts with a 1 hour 40 minute ferry trip across to Sanday, the third largest of the Orkney islands.
Discover more about the island's heritage with a stop off at the Sanday Heritage Centre, before heading up to Start Point Lighthouse, the most easterly point on Sanday.
Our return journey takes the scenic route via Quoyness Chambered Cairn, a megolithic tomb dating back 5000 years and one of the most significant sites on Sanday, and we finish our day with a fabulous ride along the c.2km wide Backaskaill Bay Beach before catching our ferry home.
Neolithic Orkney
Grade: Easy-Moderate
Biking distance: 18 miles (short route),
33 miles (long route)
Total ascent: 300 metres (short route),
490 metres (long route)
Walking distance: 1 mile/1.6km (Marwick - long route)
Not only does West Mainland Orkney feature the heart of Neolithic Orkney, it also has stunning coastal scenery and fascinating history.
Our day starts with a leisurely bike ride from Stromness to Skaill Bay, where we stop off to visit the prehistoric village of Skara Brae and the 17th-century mansion Skaill House.
From Skaill we may, if the weather is favourable, take a north route up to the Kitchener Memorial which sits upon the RSPB's Marwick Head reserve and offers stunning views across the Atlantic Ocean, north Orkney mainland and the island of Hoy, before continuing east for a pit-stop at the Orkney Brewery for a non-alcoholic refuel!
Our day continues with a cycle ride south to explore Neolithic Orkney: Ring of Brodgar, Stones of Stenness and Maeshowe., before returning to Stromness.
Hoy & South Walls
Grade: Easy-Moderate
Biking distance: 24 miles (39 km)
Total ascent: 300 metres
Walking distance: less than 1 mile (1.6km)
The ultimate day trip if you want wartime heritage, history and exploration all in one.
Starting with a short ferry journey from Houton to Lyness, our first stop is the Scapa Flow Museum, home to more than 250 fascinating artefacts and interactive exhibits telling the story of Scapa Flow and Orkney's role during two World Wars.
Our journey then continues to the now derelict Naval Communications and Ops Centre where you can take in an amazing 360° panorama of Scapa Flow and the surrounding islands. From here we head south, via Longhope, to South Walls, a tidal island connected to Hoy by a short causeway., where you can enjoy a fascinating tour of the Hackness Battery and Martello Tower. Built in 1813–14, at the height of the Napoleonic Wars, these fascinating defences were built to protect British convoys, with the Martello Tower being one of only three surviving in Scotland.