The best running trails in Shetland

Shetland offers a diverse network of over 40 running routes. These include a mix of easy, moderate, and more challenging trails, ensuring options for various fitness levels.

Yes, Shetland has several easy running routes perfect for beginners or families. An excellent option is the Meal Beach and Hamnavoe Circular, which is an easy 2.8-mile (4.5 km) trail offering scenic coastal views.

The running trails in Shetland vary significantly in length. You can find shorter loops like the Meal Beach and Hamnavoe Circular at 2.8 miles (4.5 km), up to longer, more challenging runs such as the Sandvoe to Uyea loop, which spans over 10 miles (17.4 km).

Many running trails in Shetland, particularly coastal paths and open moorland, are dog-friendly. However, it's always recommended to keep dogs on a leash, especially near livestock or nesting birds, and to clean up after them. Always check local signage for any specific restrictions.

Yes, many of Shetland's running routes are circular, allowing you to start and finish at the same point. The Meal Beach and Hamnavoe Circular and the Fair Isle loop are good examples of circular options.

Shetland's running trails are renowned for their dramatic and scenic views. You can expect rugged coastlines, expansive sea views, open moorland, and unique geological formations. Routes like the Stenness to Eshaness Coastal Trail offer breathtaking cliffside vistas.

Many running routes in Shetland pass by or are near significant landmarks. For instance, the Eshaness area, featured in the Stenness to Eshaness Coastal Trail, is close to the Esha Ness Lighthouse and the geological marvels of the Holes of Scraada. Other notable sights include St Ninian's Tombolo Beach and the View of Hermaness Cliffs and Sea Stacks.

The komoot community highly rates Shetland's running routes, with an average score of 5.0 stars. Runners frequently praise the stunning coastal scenery, the sense of wildness and solitude, and the unique geological features found along the trails. The variety of terrain, from gentle paths to more challenging climbs, is also a highlight.

While specific public transport links to every trailhead can vary, many popular running routes in Shetland are accessible by road, and informal parking is often available near trailheads, especially for coastal paths. For routes closer to towns like Lerwick, such as the Lerwick Community Gardens loop from Scalloway, public transport options might be more readily available.

The best time for running in Shetland is generally from late spring to early autumn (May to September) when the weather is milder, and daylight hours are long. Summers offer the 'simmer dim' with extended daylight. However, Shetland's weather can be unpredictable year-round, so always be prepared for changing conditions, including wind and rain.

Many of Shetland's coastal and moorland running routes offer excellent opportunities for wildlife spotting. Keep an eye out for seabirds like puffins (especially in summer), gannets, and fulmars along the cliffs. You might also spot seals in the waters below or even otters if you're lucky and observant near the coastlines.