EuroVelo 12
- 88 km
- 607 m
- Hard
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 607 m
- 88 km
Route overview
Cyclists suited to a moderate distance ride with 600 m climbing.
EuroVelo 12, an 88 km ride in the Orkney Islands from Stromness to Kirkwall with 607 m of climbing.
Starting near Stromness at km 1.3, the route heads through Clouston, Stenness, Hestwall, Aith, Quoyloo, and Birsay before continuing past Swannay, Evie, Tingwall, and the Norseman Village. It then passes Harray, Bimbister, Tuskerbister, Kirbister, Hobbister, Greenigoe, Foveran, and ends at Kirkwall at 87.7 km. The ride features four main climbs: a 2.6 km section from 20.5 km gaining 80 m at 3.1% average gradient, a 2.9 km climb at 29.8 km gaining 57 m at 2%, a 1.7 km climb at 56.5 km gaining 50 m at 3.1%, and a 2.9 km climb at 78.5 km gaining 62 m at 2.1%.
Highlights
- Peaks near road: Vestra Fiold at 129 m (23.6 km)
- Longest climb 2.9 km at 3.1%
- Route passes archaeological site Thing-Voll Broch (48.4 km)
- Highest point at 107 m near 58.9 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 20.5 km | 2.6 km | 80 m | 3.1 % | 4.1 % | 86 m |
| — | 29.8 km | 2.9 km | 57 m | 2 % | 2.4 % | 75 m |
| — | 56.5 km | 1.7 km | 50 m | 3.1 % | 5.4 % | 66 m |
| — | 78.5 km | 2.9 km | 62 m | 2.1 % | 3.9 % | 83 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 62% main road · 32% minor road · 5% quiet street · 1% path
- Main roads
- 54.1 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 10.8 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- A966 (16 km), B9056 (11 km), A964 (9 km), A965 (8 km)
- Surface
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 16% climbing · 18% descending · 66% flat
- Steep sections
- 0.8 km over 5%
- Longest descent
- 4.1 km from 59.6 km, dropping 80 m
Along the way
Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 21 km, from 23 km to 44 km.
Food, water and shops
- 0.1 kmDrinking water · on the route
- 1.1 kmOrkney Cycle Hire · bike rental · on the route
- 1.4 kmW H B Sutherland Pharmacy · pharmacy · on the route
- 1.9 kmToilets · on the route
- 2.1 kmNorth End Garage · petrol station · 30 m off route
- 8.6 kmPetrol station · 60 m off route
- 8.7 kmConvenience store · 60 m off route
- 8.7 kmToilets · 70 m off route
- 19.9 kmSkara Brae Cafe · café · 240 m off route
- 20.3 kmToilets · on the route
- 22.5 kmIsbister Bros · petrol station · on the route
- 43.7 kmEviedale Bakehouse · bakery · on the route
- 48.5 kmToilets · 240 m off route
- 63.2 kmThe Junction · café · 90 m off route
- 87.4 kmLidl · supermarket · 130 m off route
- 87.6 kmTop Up Tap · drinking water · 140 m off route
- 87.6 kmCycle Orkney · bike shop · 40 m off route
- 87.8 kmToilets · on the route
Need to bail out?
- 1.6 km — Stromness Ferry Terminal (ferry), 80 m off route
- 48.5 km — Tingwall Ferry Office (ferry), 250 m off route
- 87.8 km — Ferry, 270 m off route
Worth a stop
- 1.3 km — Fitzroy Fisheries Barometer (attraction)
- 5.1 km — Deepdale standing stone (Prehistoric) (archaeological site)
- 10.1 km — Watch Stone (Orkney) (archaeological site)
- 13.1 km — Ring of Bookan (archaeological site)
- 29.8 km — Barony Mills (attraction)
- 48.4 km — Thing-Voll Broch (archaeological site)
At the start
- Orkney Cycle Hire · bike rental · 930 m
At the finish
- Argo's Bakery · bakery · 110 m
- St Magnus Cafe · café · 130 m
- Cycle Orkney · bike shop · 160 m
- Indian Garden · restaurant · 140 m
- Cafelolz · café · 150 m
Stay after this ride
- Albert Hotel · hotel · 160 m from the finish
- Orkney Hotel · hotel · 290 m from the finish
- Ayre Hotel · hotel · 200 m from the finish
- Peedie Hostel · hostel · 220 m from the finish
- St Ola Hotel · hotel · 250 m from the finish
Practical information
- Paved
- Point to point
- 6 h 19 min
Know before you go
- No café, shop or water for 21 km between 22.5 and 43.7 km
- 54 km on main roads without a cycle lane
- 10.8 km on roads with posted limits of 80 km/h or more
- 1 km of gravel or unpaved surface