Orkney Prehistory Loop Ride
From the car park and public toilets in Finstown head west for a brief while along the A965. Ignore the turn for the A966 and continue another 300 yards to turn right opposite the Pomona Inn down Grandon Rd. The road climbs above a small loch and then continues parallel with the main road to which it provides a much quieter alternative.
At a T-junction turn right, then left at the A966 and then immediately right – in the direction of the signed National Cycle Network (NCN) Route 1. The road climbs steeply for 2 miles to the hamlet of Gorseness then just before you start the descent you will see Rendall Dovecot, a round tower located next to a farm beside the sea. (To visit go down a very steep, if short, road on the right, as signed). Continue on the coast road past the ferry terminal at Tingwall to reach a T-junction with the A966 at Woodwick. Turn right and proceed for only about a mile before turning right signed to the Broch of Gurness. You will wonder where the Broch’s gone – but just keep looking out for the Saltire flag and you will soon reach it round the corners! After visiting the Broch retrace your route for about 600 yards then turn right down a track (easy to cycle), keeping the Sands of Evie to your right. The track turns into a road at the car park and returns you to the A966 – and NCN Route 1.
Turn right and prepare for a long haul to Birsay. The Loch of Swannay provides a highlight. Go over the crossroads with the A967 and, at the shore, turn right to reach the Brough of Birsay. You will have spotted it earlier – looking like a pie with its lighthouse reminiscent of a blackbird sticking out the top. You get a great view of the Brough from the car park – and can leave the bike to cross to the island on foot if the tide is out. Return the way you came again passing the ruins of the Earl’s Palace which is also well worth a visit. Continue ahead into the village, passing over a bridge.
Just past the Birsay Tea Rooms and where the tarmac road ends continue along a track for 500 yards and then turn right at the junction with the B9056. Soon, to your right, you will see in the distance the chess piece-like Kitchener Memorial which can be reached by diverting as signed.
At the crossroads at Quoyloo turn right to reach Skara Brae which has bike racks. Leave Skara Brae turning right back onto the B9056 and along the banks of the Loch of Skaill. Turn left at the junction with the B9055 then, at the A967 turn right and immediately left to continue ahead on the B9055. The best section of the day comes next – an effortless cruise with lots of freewheeling along the increasingly narrow neck of land which separates the Lochs of Stenness and Harray.
Pause for the Ring of Brodgar then pass over the Ness of Brodgar to check out the Stones of Stenness. At a major crossroads turn left onto the A965 and continue for a mile to visit Maeshowe. (To be sure of gaining admission you must book one of the hourly tours in advance by calling 01856 761606). From Maeshowe rejoin NCN 1 for a short while and continue east along the A965 back to Finstown.
Natural attractions:
Visitor attractions:
National Cycle Network (NCN) Online Mapping
View 25,000 miles of cycle routes, including 13,000 miles of NCN, using Sustrans online mapping. You can also:
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Visit www.sustrans.org.uk/map
The Complete National Cycle Network App
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Route submitted by: Sustrans
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Key route details
- Region/Area:
The Northern Isles
- Distance:
40 miles
- Time needed:
5 / 7 hours
- Classification:
Medium
- Traffic:
Mixed
- Surface:
Tarmac
- NCN Route:
National Route 1
- Start:
Finstown
- Finish:
Finstown
- Cycle hire:
Cycle Orkney, Kirkwall
tel. 01856 875 777
Orkney Cycle Hire, Stromness
tel.01856 850 255
- Access:
Ferries
Catch ferries to Kirkwall from Aberdeen
Catch ferries to Stromness from Scrabster
- Maps and guides
-
- Links with:
National Cycle Route 1
- Weather:
-
Sun
max: 10°C min: 5°C
-
Mon
max: 11°C min: 6°C
-
Tue
max: 12°C min: 7°C
-
Wed
max: 13°C min: 8°C
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