This circular walk begins at the sandy beach of Inganess Bay, follwoing a path by the Burn of Wideford to head inland before returning via minor roads.
Bog Factor
Grassy footpath - wet in places; tarmac roads on final section.
Car park at Inganess Bay.
The route passes within 2km walk of the centre of Kirkwall, or can be joined from the Deerness bus along the A960.
HY475086
The walk begins from the car park at Inganess Bay - also known as the Sand of Wideford. The beach has white sand and is popular with locals for wild swimming.
The rusting hulk of the former blockship Juniata is visible offshore. Leave the car park path from the far left side (with your back to the bay), following a grassy path and passing through a gate. The route now follows a path beside with burn, with a small loch on the right being a great place for birds.
The path - which is often wet - eventually reaches some boardwalks and then crosses the burn via a footbridge. The route passes through a kissing gate and reaches the road. Take the path off on the far side, almost opposite.
The path now leads through a belt of native woodland of hawthorn, rowan and alder - rare on Orkney. There are more boardwalks, and the trees are left behind; the path crosses a couple of stiles and through another section of woodland. Eventually the path crosses another stile to reach a grassy lane; go left very briefly here, then right (across a very boggy section) to pick up the path which continues, still to the left of the burn.
There's several more sections of boardwalk as the path keeps on straight ahead, eventually crossing another stile. Keep straight ahead until the path meets a wider route; turn right along this. The path leads through more bushes and passes to the right of Caldwell Cottage. Continue until a minor road is reached, then turn right along this to reach the A960. Turn left - taking care as this section can be busy - and take the first turning on the right. Follow this quieter road to a T-junction and then turn right to follow the road back to the car park behind the bay.
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