Discover the wild coastlines, dramatic cliffs, and unique island landscapes of the Shetland Islands with this handpicked selection of 15 short walks, designed to reveal the very best of Britain’s remote northern outpost. From the puffin-filled headlands of Sumburgh and the sweeping sands of St Ninian’s Isle to ancient brochs, wind-scoured moorland, and the bustling harbour town of Lerwick, every walk in this guidebook celebrates Shetland’s untamed beauty, rich wildlife, and sense of adventure. Whether you’re new to walking, exploring with family, or simply keen to experience a taste of island life, these easy-to-moderate circular and out-and-back routes promise unforgettable days out across Mainland, Bressay, West Burra, Muckle Roe, and Unst.

• Each of the 15 Shetland walks features clear, easy-to-follow route descriptions and Ordnance Survey mapping, with practical information on facilities, public toilets, refreshments, parking, and route highlights to help you plan and enjoy your trip, from windswept clifftops to tranquil voes and white-sand beaches.
• All routes are designed for easy access and can be completed in a few hours, with gentle gradients and no challenging terrain, perfect for families, casual walkers, and anyone seeking the freedom of Shetland’s open spaces.
• Discover the islands’ classic walks: Sumburgh Head and Jarlshof, St Ninian’s Isle, Lerwick’s historic town trail, the Broch of Culswick, Eshaness, and Hermaness, as well as hidden gems like Kettla Ness, Staneydale Temple, and the beaches of Bannaminn.
• Start your adventures from Lerwick or Scalloway, both offering a wide range of places to stay, from campsites and hostels to cosy böds, B&Bs, and hotels, or venture further afield to explore the islands’ remote corners, linked by scenic drives, bridges, and regular ferries.
• Practical travel options make Shetland surprisingly accessible, with overnight ferries from Aberdeen, direct flights from Scottish cities to Sumburgh, and a reliable bus and inter-island ferry network. Car hire is available in Lerwick and at the airport for reaching more outlying walks.

Part of Cicerone’s trusted Short Walks series, this guide brings together everything you need for a memorable exploration of Shetland’s extraordinary landscapes and natural wonders. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or an island regular, this book is your key to discovering the wild spirit, rich history, and awe-inspiring scenery of the Shetland Isles, one short walk at a time.

15 Short Walks on the Shetland Islands: Quick Facts

Location: Shetland Islands, Scotland, UK (including Mainland, Bressay, West Burra, Muckle Roe, Unst) 
Total walks: 15 selected short walks 
Typical duration: 1–3 hours each 
Distance per walk: 2–9km (see guide for details) 
Walk type: Easy day walks on circular or out-and-back routes 
Difficulty: Easy to moderate; short climbs, no challenging terrain 
Navigation: Ordnance Survey mapping, numbered points tied to clear route descriptions, GPX files available to download 
Highlights: Sumburgh Head and Jarlshof, St Ninian’s Isle, Lerwick, Bressay’s Ward, Kettla Ness, Culswick Broch, Staneydale Temple, Sandness Hill, Eshaness, Hermaness, and more 
Best season: Walkable all year round, enjoy seabirds and wildflowers in summer, dramatic seas in winter, and ever-changing island skies

Author Highlight

"Shetland is packed with amazing things to see. Probably the most immediately obvious, whether you arrive by sea or by air, is the stunning coastline. Here there are massive sea cliffs, deep voes, sheltered bays, islands, skerries, and some of the finest white-sand beaches in the world. Adding colour and excitement to the coast is the wildlife. Shetland’s shores are home to some of the world’s most important seabird colonies, and in the summer months, it is impossible to go to any sea cliff here and not see birds. Puffins, fulmars, guillemots, black guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and gannets fill the skies and the rocky ledges, and shingle beaches hold huge numbers of Arctic and common terns." 

- Graham Uney, author of 15 Short Walks on the Shetland Islands

Using this guide 
Route summary table 
Map key  
Introduction 
Walking on Shetland 
Special things to see 
Bases and places to stay 
Getting there and around 

The walks
Walk 1. Lerwick town trail 
Walk 2.  Bressay: The Ward of Bressay 
Walk 3. West Burra: Kettla Ness 
Walk 4.  St Ninian’s Isle 
Walk 5.  Scat Ness and the Ness of Burgi 
Walk 6.  Sumburgh Head and Jarlshof 
Walk 7.  Drongi Field from Westerwick 
Walk 8.  The Broch of Culswick 
Walk 9.  Staneydale Temple 
Walk 10. Sandness Hill from Huxter 
Walk 11. Muckle Roe and the Hole of Hellier 
Walk 12. Grind of the Navir and Eshaness 
Walk 13. Ronas Hill from Collafirth Hill 
Walk 14. Unst: Framgord 
Walk 15. Unst: Hermaness 

Useful information 

Seasons

Most people visit between spring and mid-summer, as that is when the seabirds can be seen. The coastal scenery is particularly spectacular during winter storms, and January is when the great fire festival, Up Helly-Aa, takes place.

Centres

Lerwick, Scalloway, Hoswick, Bigton, Bixter, Walls, Voe, Brae, Baltasound

Difficulty

The walks in this book are mostly easy to follow on good paths, but there are sections which are pathless, and occasionally boggy, especially after rain. None of the clifftop walks have fences or barriers so care is needed.

Must See

The ancient settlement at Jarlshof; puffins and other seabirds galore at Hermaness and Sumburgh; spectacular seacliffs on most walks; the beautiful sand tombolo to St Ninian’s Isle; scores of remote islands to explore

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