Rackwick Bay
A remote bay on Hoy's west coast, enclosed by towering red cliffs. Boulder beaches and grassy valleys make it one of Orkney's most dramatic landscapes, and it is the starting point for the Old Man of Hoy trail.
Rackwick Bay is flanked by cliffs rising hundreds of meters on Hoy. The bay is covered with huge pebbles worn smooth by the waves, and the valley holds abandoned farmhouses and a hikers' bothy. This is the starting point for the Old Man of Hoy trail, and you can also walk into the bay from Moness along the valley, about 9 km. A Neolithic valley path nearby leads to the Dwarfie Stane, a carved monolith. There are no shops here, so bring your own food and water.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Old Man of Hoy
- Dwarfie Stane
- Stromness Museum
- Stromness
- Pier Arts Centre
- Yesnaby
- Unstan Chambered Cairn
- Skara Brae