The best walks and hikes around Papa Westray Marine Protected Area

Yes, Papa Westray offers several family-friendly options. The terrain is generally gentle, and the quiet roads can be used to create shorter, safer walks for children. For an easy outing, consider the Scenic Coastal Section – Noltland Castle loop from Pierowall, which is a relatively short walk with minimal elevation gain, making it manageable for younger hikers.

Yes, it's possible to walk around the entire island. A coastal footpath circuits Papa Westray, covering a distance of about 12 miles (19 km). This makes for a fantastic full-day hike, allowing you to experience the island's varied scenery, from the dramatic cliffs in the north to the sandy bays on the east coast.

The island is well-suited for circular walks. You can combine sections of the coastal path with the island's quiet inland roads to create loops of various lengths. For a moderate circular hike with excellent coastal views, the Noup Head loop from Noltland Castle — Orkney Islands is a great option that takes you along the impressive sea cliffs.

Late spring and summer are the best times for wildlife enthusiasts. During these months, the cliffs at the RSPB North Hill Nature Reserve are bustling with nesting seabirds, including puffins, guillemots, and razorbills. This period also offers the best chance to see the rare Scottish primrose in bloom on the maritime heath.

The RSPB North Hill Nature Reserve at the northern tip of the island is the prime location for birdwatching. The cliffs here, particularly Fowl Craig, are home to large colonies of seabirds. A former coastguard lookout on the reserve now serves as a convenient bird hide, offering shelter and excellent viewing opportunities.

Yes, seals are a common sight along the coast of Papa Westray. They can often be seen hauled out on the rocks and outer reefs, especially at low tide. Keep a lookout in the rocky bays and along the shores as you follow the coastal footpaths.

During the summer months, the RSPB warden offers guided walks of the North Hill Nature Reserve, which are fantastic for learning about the local birdlife and flora. Additionally, the Papay Ranger provides comprehensive tours of the island, covering its history, geology, and wildlife.

The terrain is quite varied. You'll encounter gentle, grassy paths, long sandy beaches perfect for a stroll, and quiet, single-track roads. The northern part of the island, around the North Hill reserve, features more rugged coastal paths along dramatic cliffs, which can be rougher underfoot.

Absolutely. A hike on Papa Westray is a walk through history. The Knap of Howar loop from Pierowall takes you directly past the incredible Neolithic farmstead, which is older than Skara Brae. You can also easily walk to the 12th-century St Boniface Kirk and the historic pilgrimage site at St Tredwell's Loch.

The area is highly rated by the komoot community. Hikers often praise the stunning and dramatic coastal scenery, the abundance of wildlife, and the profound sense of peace and tranquility. The opportunity to walk past ancient historical sites like the Knap of Howar is also a frequently mentioned highlight.

Yes, as the island is a Marine Protected Area and home to the RSPB North Hill reserve, it's crucial to be mindful of wildlife. Always stick to the marked paths, especially during the bird breeding season (spring and summer), to avoid disturbing ground-nesting birds. Do not approach seals or other marine life, and be sure to take all your litter home with you.

While the island is small and best explored on foot, you can find small parking areas near key sites. For example, there is parking available near The Gloup on Mainland, which serves as a starting point for some popular circular walks in the wider Orkney area. On Papa Westray itself, parking is informal, often just a space at a road end or near a ferry terminal.