Da Sneug - Da Easy Way, Foula

Summary

This unique walk is the easiest route to the highest summit on Foula - one of our most remote inhabited islands. Da Sneug is bare and windswept, but the climb up the sculpted ridge to the top reveals superb views over the whole island. Perhaps equally memorable will be the Great Skuas; known locally as Bonxies, these huge pirates of the seas feed largely by stealing from other birds. They nest in huge numbers here, and during the nesting season dive-bomb any walkers who come near; at such times it is well worth holding a stick or walking pole above your head to help fend them off.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Open hill ridge with grass and mosses. In good conditions this is a straightforward hillwalk, although there is no path or markings; in poor conditions it is exceptionally exposed to the wind.

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

Foula airstrip. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 6.75km / 4.25 miles
Time: 2.5 - 3.5 hours
Ascent: 419m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: HT970376

Summits Climbed

Sub 2000: Da Sneug

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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 - the ridge you are going to ascend is seen directly ahead. The road soon reaches 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, head up the start of the ridge to the NW; there is no path. The route is dotted with circular stone enclosures called planticrubs - these were once fertilised and used to shelter and grow kale on otherwise infertile land. Continue up the ridge of Bodlifield, aiming for the first summit - Hamnafield.

Stage 3

Once at the top of Hamnafield the largest part of the ascent is done, and the graceful sculpted ridge can be seen curving round to your final objective - Da Sneug. Descend slightly before continuing over Tounafield. If you are walking in summertime, by this point you are likely to have come under Bonxie attack!

Stage 4

After a very slight descent the final climb of around 70m or so begins, with steep slopes to your right. Before reaching the summit a group of placed stones called The Brethren are passed - these may date back to prehistoric times.

Stage 5

The summit of Da Sneug ('da' is simply dialect for 'the') is a short distance beyond, marked by a large cairn and a trig point. The view - as you'd expect - encompasses the whole of Foula, with Shetland's Westside and Papa Stour also visible on a clear day.

Stage 6

The easiest return walk is back the way you came, returning along and down the ridge to return to the airstrip. If you have time and don't mind a rough tussocky descent, you could descend southwards from the bealach below Tounafield into Da Daal, joining the faint path through this glen to visit Da Sneck Ida Smaalie and then returning on the path through Da Daal and the minor road back to the airstrip.