Marwick Head Group Walks | Join a Walk
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Elevation
86m
282 ft
Prominence
35m
Coordinates
59.1063, -3.3525
HY226251
OS Map
6
Explorer: 463
The area features stunning sea cliffs, and while there isn't a traditional summit cairn, the panoramic views create a perfect natural lookout.
Marwick Head is primarily composed of Old Red Sandstone, formed around 400 million years ago. This gives the cliffs their distinctive colourful appearance and provides a rich habitat for wildlife.
From Marwick Head, you can see the dramatic cliffs, the distant Orkney mainland, and on clear days, the towering silhouette of Hoy and its iconic Old Man.
The name Marwick is believed to derive from Old Norse, meaning ‘sheltered bay’—a fitting name for this scenic spot.
The area is significant for its wildlife, particularly seabird colonies, and has historical sites nearby, including ancient tombs.
A scenic coastal route that encompasses stunning views of the cliffs and the sea, with paths well marked for ease.
Parking is available at the Marwick Head car park, which is a few minutes’ walk from the cliff edges.
Regular buses run from Kirkwall to nearby towns, with the closest stop a short walk from the trailhead.
There are no facilities at the head itself, but Dounby has cafes and small shops where you can grab supplies.
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Some common questions about the hills answered
Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Marwick Head through the maps
Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Marwick Head search or of course create your own walk for Marwick Head
Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.
If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Marwick Head.
There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.
Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.
Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Marwick Head here
We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible
Grid Ref: HY226251
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