Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), drawn by Global Adventurer.
The walk
The walk starts from the reserve car park at the end of the B9086 on the northern tip of Unst, where there are toilets. A gravel path and then a long boardwalk climb across open moorland, where great skuas nest, to the sea cliffs on the west coast. From the top of the boardwalk the path turns north along the clifftops, above the gannets and puffins of the seabird colonies, towards the rocks of Muckle Flugga and its lighthouse. It then bends inland, climbs Hermaness Hill by boardwalk and comes down across the moor to join the outward path near the start.
It is 7.8 km round with 254 m of ascent; allow about 2½ hours. The grade is Moderate: NatureScot rates the circuit strenuous and allows 3½ hours, for the boggy and uneven ground, the long flight of steps and the steep sections along the coast and up Hermaness Hill.
The cliffs are high and the edge is not protected: keep back from it and take care on the steep sea-facing slopes. NatureScot says the great skuas, known as bonxies, are notorious for dive-bombing anyone who steps too close to their nests. The reserve asks you to keep dogs on a lead, to keep to the paths so as not to disturb birds or damage the fragile peat, and to follow requests on any notices you see; if a notice asks walkers to keep to part of the route in the breeding season, follow it. NatureScot gives mid-May to mid-July as the best time to visit.
From Lerwick it is the A970 north to Voe, the A968 to Toft for the ferry to Yell, then across Yell to the ferry to Unst and 16 km north through Baltasound; turn onto the B9086 just before Haroldswick. NatureScot says a bus runs from Lerwick to Baltasound, 9 km from the reserve, but you cannot get back to Lerwick the same day by public transport. OpenStreetMap lists the car park as free. There is no station in Shetland.
Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.
Good to know
- Hermaness National Nature Reserve, run by NatureScot, stands at the most northerly point of the UK and has more than 100,000 breeding seabirds.
- Muckle Flugga, the rock with the lighthouse, lies just off the north end of the reserve and is seen from the cliff tops on this walk.
- Great skuas, called bonxies in Shetland, nest on the moor and are notorious for dive-bombing anyone who steps too close to their nests.
- Gannets breed on the cliffs until September, and the boardwalk is there to protect the peat from erosion.
Summits on the way
- Hermaness Hill 200 m · passed close by
Getting there
Start: Hermaness NNR car park, Unst · Free parking. 60.81245, -0.87664
Directions to the start
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Hermaness NNR car park: Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line is drawn along OpenStreetMap paths and the figures are worked out from it; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.