Ord Hill
Drink in the view at Ord Hill
Some folk reckon this is the best viewpoint in Inverness. Trails wander through open, mixed forest, with wonderful views over the Moray and Beauly Firths. The sunset over Craig Phadrig can be spectacular!
You can find the tumbled remains of an Iron Age hill fort here too. People living here would have been the nearest neighbours to the fort on Craig Phadrig: the two settlements must have dominated the land and sea around them.
Our guide to the Forests of Inverness (PDF 4MB) will help you explore Ord Hill and other woods around the city while the guide to the forests of the Far North will help you explore more forest trails in Sutherland.
Life's essentials
There are toilets and places to eat in Inverness.
Walking trails
Ord Hill Circular
A wonderful circuit of Ord Hill with spectacular views over Inverness and the Moray Firth.
Mostly wide, firm gravel surface. Long moderate slopes with some steeper sections. Section of uneven earth and gravel path with some steps and exposed tree roots up to viewpoint.
2 ¼ miles / 3.8 km Allow 1½ hours
Fort Trail
Walk up through the rich, mossy forest to reach the jumbled rocks of the Iron Age fort on top of Ord Hill.
Uneven earth and gravel paths, with some narrow, rocky and muddy sections. Long fairly steep slopes and some steps.
1 ½ miles / 2.5 km Allow 1 hour
How to get here
Coming from Inverness, cross the Kessock Bridge northbound on the A9 and take the second exit, signposted for Kilmuir and Drumsmittal. Follow signs for Kilmuir and Drumsmittal through the roundabout, under the A9 and onto a single track road. After ¼ mile (400 metres) turn right at the signpost for Kilmuir. The car park entrance is signposted to the right off this road. The car park is at grid reference NH 654 488.
There is another car park, run by Highland Council, off the southbound carriageway of the A9 just north of the Kessock Bridge. Access to the forest from here is on steep, rough paths.
Using SatNav?
IV1 3ZG is the postcode for Kilmuir. Coming from the A9 you will pass the forest entrance on the way.
Nearby places
Find another hill fort at Craig Phadrig, just across the Beauly Firth. On the Black Isle, you can hunt for dragonflies at Monadh Mor, or make a wish at Munlochy Clootie Well.
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