Da Sneck Ida Smaalie, Foula

Summary

Da Sneck Ida Smaalie is a spectacular crack in the great western cliffs of Foula, formed by a landslide. It is a fine objective for this out-and-back walk through Da Daal - a prominent glen dividing Foula's great rounded hills. There are options to extend the walk into a longer circuit by ascending Da Noup.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Path up Da Daal is boggy in some places, and very indistinct in parts - requiring some navigation. Good grassy ground nearer to Da Sneck.

Getting there

Start

Foula airstrip.

Public Transport

Foula is served by both air and ferry links from mainland Shetland. Only the air service allows a day visit if not planning to stay on the island overnight, with varying amounts of time between flights on different days. Advance booking is needed as the flights are often full.

Start Grid Ref

HT970376

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 5km / 3 miles
Time: 1.5 - 2.5 hours
Ascent: 110m (Profile)

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Explorer 467 - Shetland - Mainland Central

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

The walk begins from Foula airstrip, where there is a small waiting room and toilets. Begin by heading along the access road and soon reaching a T junction with the main island road; cross here and head for the Baxter Chapel seen almost opposite - it is still a working chapel but also has a room acting as a visitor centre for the island, full of information and photographs about Foula.

Stage 2

After visiting the chapel, aim southwest - almost parallel to the road - to reach a circular stone enclosure. This is a fine excample of a planticrub - common throughout Shetland, they were once fertilised and used to shelter and grow kale on otherwise infertile land. From the planticrub an old path heads southwest, but it is initially very boggy and indistinct before becoming clearer. It emerges on a broader but fading path near Braidfit, marked by stones along either side (the boggy section could be avoided by using the road to reach Braidit).

Stage 3

Follow this old path northwards and then northwest into Da Daal, the broad valley which divides Foula's main hills. The path is clear in places but almost completely vanished in others, but keeps to the north side of Da Daal throughout.

Stage 4

The going becomes rougher underfoot for a time, but then improves to grassier ground near the top of Da Daal. Continue across the flatter grassy ground towards the west coast of Foula, keeping at the bottom of the steep slopes climbing to the right.

Stage 5

Da Sneck Ida Smaalie is found as you near the coast. A narrow and very deep rock cleft formed by a landslide, it splits the cliffs almost to their base. You can walk along the flat grassy ground on either side of Da Sneck, but do not attempt to enter it and keep safely back.

Stage 6

Keep a look out for puffins which nest in burrows in the grassy ground above the cliffs. From here the coast rises dramatically to the peak of Da Noup to the south; from here it is possible to extend the route into a longer circuit by ascending Da Noup and continuing as described in the later stages of our Complete Foula route.

Stage 7

For the route we describe here, though, simply retrace your steps back down Da Daal to return the same way back to the airstrip.

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