Ord Hill is a forested ridge on the Black Isle, just across the Kessock Bridge and overlooking Inverness. There are two waymarked routes; one a fairly level circuit around the hill, the second this ascent to the vitrified fort on the summit.
Summary
Good waymarked forest paths and tracks; some ascent is involved.
Terrain
Forest car park on north side of A9 by North Kessock
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1. The walk begins from the car park on the north side of the A9 by North Kessock; it is only accessible from the southbound carriageway. There are public toilets here; the path begins from the signpost ('Ord Hill circular') pointing left at the end of the car park beyond the toilets. Go straight ahead at two junctions with other paths to reach a gate marking the entrance to Ordhill Forest and orienteering course. Pass through this and follow the path as it turns to the right.
2. Follow the path round the side of the hill. Soon a junction is reached and a path heads off left up a flight of steps, marked by a post with a blue and red stripe. The walk heads up this path, though you could continue ahead for a few paces first for a view of Inverness. Ascend the steps, and when a track is reached go straight across up another flight of steps (signed 'To Viewpoint' and waymarked red and blue). The path now heads up through the trees to reach another junction. Our route goes straight ahead, but first it is well worth turning right and making a short detour to the viewpoint with its bench and superb views of Kessock Bridge, Inverness and the Beauly Firth.
3. After marking the detour return to the path junction and this time continue uphill following the red waymarkers between the tall Scots pines. At a junction, keep to the main path which leaves the straight line through the trees and bears right. Soon a bench is passed; further on, at another junction, turn right steeply uphill. The tumbledown stones here are part of the remains of the vitrified fort. Vitrified forts dating back to the iron age are common in the area; the stonework has been heated or burned to such a temperature that the rocks have melted together. How precisely or why this was done is unclear. The fort covered a large area of the summit of the hill but today is mostly lost in the trees. The highest point is however marked by a stone cairn. It is possible to continue beyond the cairn making a short circuit around what would have been the extent of the fort before returning.
4. Return from the cairn the way you came but this time keep right at the first junction. Cross over a track and then bear right at another junction, all still following the red waymarker posts. Descend a few steps to reach a bigger track, and head straight ahead along this. Soon a small car park is reached with an information board giving details of both a blue waymarked walk around the hill and our own red route up it. Turn left from the car park, signed for North Kessock, and continue on a track.
5. Pass through a gate and continue ahead until reaching a junction where you crossed the track (and headed uphill to the left) earlier in the walk. Fork off the track to the right here, following a path heading downhill back the way you came from the first car park. Turn right further down to retrace your steps to the start..
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