Orkneyfinella Saga 4 - Wideford Hill... by car

[denfinella]

After a day exploring the northwest part of Orkney Mainland, we headed back towards Kirkwall with a detour to climb Wideford Hill, a sub-2000' Marilyn. Except there's a road right to the very top, complete with car park... so getting to the summit involves a steep drive followed by a walk of about... ten metres!

Fortunately, there's more to Wideford Hill than its summit - we were also planning to visit Wideford Hill Chambered Cairn, which would strangely consist of a walk downhill from the start point at the summit.

Good views of Kirkwall from a windy summit, as the wind shook the car:

The path to the chambered cairn starts from a small car park on a hairpin bend just below the summit, initially climbing before descending, quite steeply, to the cairn. The path was a little muddy but nothing serious, which was fortunate as we were wearing trainers. The path traverses the western flank of Wideford Hill with views over the Bay of Firth:

A little longer than expected after leaving the car, we reached the cairn. The passage in the photo below is the original entrance:

Fortunately there's now an easier entrance, via ladder from a trapdoor above:

Inside, low tunnels lead off into various side chambers, which we explored - getting muddy in the process. A torch in a box by the entrance is helpfully provided by Historic Scotland - without which the side chambers would be pitch black.

One of the strangest hills I've been able to turn blue on the walkhighlands map...!

Rainbow over Kirkwall in the evening

Orkney 2015
Afternoon: Birsay & Brough: http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=55744
Next day: Noup Head, Westray: http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=55859

[weaselmaster]

Cheaty way to claim a hill!
I have done the same however
I remember this as quite a good chambered cairn.
Did you visit the one along the road at Finstown - Cuween Cairn? It's a beauty

[denfinella]

Cheaty yes... but I say unusual to get the opportunity to cheat I wonder if there are any other hills (listed ones, anyway) that have a public road right to the top?

The cairn was very interesting, and quite a long ladder into it. However, it was muddy despite the access hatch, and the passages to the other chambers were so low that you had to put knees into the muck...

No, we didn't get around to Cuween cairn - next time!