Sandness Hill and Deepdale cliffs, Netherdale

Summary

Sandness Hill is the highest summit on Shetland's westside, and offers superb views over the sea and surrounding islands. It is the coastal cliffs, however, that are its greatest attraction, as seen on the approach during this superb circuit.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Rough and grassy clifftop walking, boggy in places, with very steep descent to Deep Dale. Return over hills is peat-hagged.

Public Transport

None to start.

Start

Road junction at Dale of Walls. Open in Google Maps.

Hillwalking in Winter

Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. All route descriptions and difficulties given here are for summer conditions. See our Winter Skills page for basic information on the essential skills, techniques and knowledge needed for winter hillwalking.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 10.75km / 6.75 miles
Time (summer conditions): 3.5 - 5 hours
Ascent: 442m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: HU180524

Summits Climbed

Sub 2000: Sandness Hill

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (1)

Stage 1

There is plenty of space to park where the Netherdale road turns off at Dale of Walls. Head along the tarmac road towards Netherdale, but then fork left onto a track that leads down towards the Voe of Dale; when the track swings left, fork right again onto a smaller track down to the back of the bay.

Stage 2

Cross the pebbly shore and then head up the far side, passing through a gap in a fence. Once through the gap bear left to begin the walk along the coastline. Make a gently rising traverse across the pathless but easy slopes. Soon there is a view down to the Clett - a blocky stack. From here continue uphill above increasingly impressive cliffs.

Stage 3

You can bypass the furthest part of the Mu Ness peninsula to rejoin the clifftops on its northern side. There are now stunning views looking ahead along the coast to the dramatic stacks, arches and cliffs of Weinnia Ness. When a fence is reached follow this briefly to the right to reach and cross a stile. You can then aim slightly downhill towards a junction of fences where there is another stile - unseen from a distance. There is some boggy going on this section. Cross this stile, and then another further on, where the landscape becomes unenclosed once more.

Stage 4

After rounding the cliffs of Sel Ayre you can cut across grassy slopes, crossing a small burn, until above Deepdale - with stunning views down to the Bay of Deepdale. The final descent to the Deepdale Burn is very steep - make sure you have headed far enough inland, and then use one of the grassy gullies, taking great care.

Stage 5

Cross the burn at the bottom, and then head uphill - steeply at first - soon with even better views back down to Deepdale Bay. Continue round the cliffs of Banks Head until opposite the top of Ramna Vord.

Stage 6

Now leave the coastline, heading over Ramna Vord and continuing over the windswept moorland towards Sandness Hill. The very prominent cairn proves not to be the summit, where is further on - past more cairns - at a trig point and final more tumbledown cairn. The views are extensive, with the whole of Papa Stour well seen over Sandness, and Foula prominent if the weather is clear.

Stage 7

The route back to the start over the hills looks extremely peat-hagged from here, but the ground does largely dry out in the summer months. Head south at first, then more SW - crossing one treacherous bit of bog around a burn - to continue over Dale Hill.

Stage 8

Head over Blouk Field, continuing SW and eventually reaching a gate in a fence. Pass through this, then aim in the direction of the bendy road seen heading towards Walls. This should bring you to two stiles to cross the next fences. Continue downhill - bearing a little away from the fence on your right - to reach another stile. Cross this and head down to yet another stile, then aim half left down towards the burn. Cross a stile and head up by the burn to reach a footbridge. Cross and then bear right, soon heading up to reach the tarmac road. Turn right along this briefly to return to the start.

Route Profile

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