Ward Hill, Fair Isle

Summary

Ward Hill is the highest summit on isolated Fair Isle, one of Britain's most remote communities. This short ascent from the airfield follows a track close to the summit, but returning above some spectacular coastal cliffs. Ward Hill could just be the start of a much longer traverse around the island - see our complete Fair Isle walk.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Good track then a path to the summit. Return is pathless above dramatic exposed clifftops - care needed.

Getting there

Start

Fair Isle airstrip.

Public Transport

Fair Isle 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 essential as flights are busy in the summer season.

Start Grid Ref

HZ210720

Open in Google Maps

Walk Statistics

Distance: 4.25km / 2.75 miles
Time: 2 - 3 hours
Ascent: 204m (Profile)

Summits Climbed

Sub 2000: Ward Hill (Fair Isle)

Mapping and GPS

ROUTE MAP
View detailed map of walk

OS Paper map
Explorer 466 - Shetland - Mainland South

Get our App FREE
Full GPS mapping &
descriptions when offline

Export GPX

Export KMZ

Open on Big Map showing all our routes

Want to sponsor this route?

Walk Description

User reports (2)

Stage 1

The walk begins from the Fair Isle airstrip, where there is a small waiting room. Wait for any planes to depart, check there is nothing incoming and then begin by heading across the runway to a track on the far side, seen heading uphill towards the telecommunications masts.

Stage 2

The ascent is straightforward and can be accomplished quickly, but take a good look back for a view over most of the island, stretching away to the lighthouse and Malcolm's Point in the south.

Stage 3

The track ends at a series of old concrete huts near the base of the large telecoms mast. From here take a fainter path that heads steeply uphill for the final stretch towards the true summit.

Stage 4

It's fortunate that the summit of Ward Hill itself is well away from the masts - but sadly the summit is strewn with the scattered remains of an old RAF radar base. The highest point on Fair Isle is more fittingly marked by a trig point, surrounded by a cairn made out of some of the concrete remains. The views, though, are spectacular, with seemingly endless sea stretching out in all directions. Sumburgh Head at the southern tip of Shetland's mainland is visible in clear weather, as is the lighthouse on North Ronaldsay which is the most northerly of the Orkney islands.

Stage 5

The quickest return is to retrace your steps, but doesn't do Ward Hill's spectacular cliff scenery justice. Instead aim south over pathless ground to reach the wild cliffs of the west coast. Keep safely back from the edge and pass around a deep geo, giving views of some of the gannet colonies far, far below. Cut across the next headland before descending to pass round another geo.

Stage 6

There is a short climb up to Burrashield before the route leads past two more geos with spectacular coastal scenery, including arches and stacks. At the second of these a substantial drystone wall leads inland; unless intent on a much longer walk, turn left to follow the near side of this wall. After 300m an enclosure juts out from this wall; from here aim ENE towards the end of Fair Isle's airstrip. Before reaching the runway bear right to join the access road, then turn left up this to return to the air terminal building.

Route Profile

Where to stay

Report error

Let us know if you've found an error in our route, or if it needs updating.

Write walk report

Share your story and photos from this route.
£150 of Highlander Outdoor gear to win every month.

Can you help support walkhighlands?

This website and app are run by 'Walkhighlands for All' - a not-for-profit set up to serve walkers' needs.
We rely on the generosity of our users - can you help?