Coastal Walk of Shetland - West

The Coastal Walk of Shetland - West is 278.75 km long, so it is firmly a multi-day route rather than a weekend walk. On a route of this length, most hikers break it into well over a week of stages, and the Extra Difficult rating means progress can be slower than the distance alone suggests, especially on rough coastal ground and exposed sections.

Yes. The Coastal Walk of Shetland - West is rated Extra Difficult, which places it among the more demanding long-distance hikes in Shetland. The route length is 278.75 km, and west mainland terrain in Shetland includes exposed coastal walking, cliffs, beaches, heathery ground, and remote stretches where weather and footing can make even short sections feel serious.

The route is in the Shetland Islands on the Westside of Mainland, an area known for dramatic Atlantic-facing coastline, sea cliffs, stacks, voes, beaches, and heathery hills. Westside walking is associated with places such as Walls, Sandness, Watsness, Deepdale, Huxter, and Melby, with wide views toward Foula and a mix of crofting land and rugged shore.

Yes, public transport is practical for parts of the route. Shetland’s mainline bus network includes Service 9 to Walls in West Mainland, while Lerwick is the main transport hub and Service 6 links Lerwick with Sumburgh Airport. That makes it possible to reach Shetland by air via Sumburgh and then connect onward by bus toward the west side of Mainland.

Dogs can be taken on walks in Shetland, but control matters. Local walking guidance for Shetland says dogs should be kept on a lead, should avoid fields with livestock, and should not be taken into fields with young animals. That is especially relevant on West Mainland, where crofting land and grazing stock are common along coastal access routes.

The main hazards are exposure, rough ground, and coastal edges. Shetland walking guidance stresses checking the weather, allowing plenty of time, and taking care around croft boundaries and livestock, while West Mainland is known for cliff scenery and remote coastal stretches. On a 278.75 km Extra Difficult route, strong wind and wet ground can add a lot to the challenge.

Parking for individual sections is usually on local roads or near access points in West Mainland settlements such as Walls and Sandness, but care is needed. Shetland walking guidance says not to obstruct country roads, field entrances, or access tracks when parking. On narrow rural roads, that can mean leaving the vehicle farther away and walking in to the start of a section.