All-terrain wheelchair routes in Shetland

Distance: 4.5km return; Time: 1.5 hours; Rating: Moderate

Follow the gravel track up a steady incline to the windfarm and enjoy spectacular views of the Tingwall Valley and Central Mainland.

The Burradale Windfarm is located north of Lerwick and sits at the top of a hill to make the most of Shetland’s windy conditions. The elevated position offers excellent views across the Central Mainland and Tingwall Valley to the west, and Lerwick Harbour to the east.

1. The route starts at the appropriately named Windy Grind (the turning is on the left-hand side heading north (just past the Shetland Golf Course entrance).
2. It’s a linear route following the track up the hill to Burradale and the windfarm – one of the most productive in the UK, thanks to Shetland’s ever-reliable wind.
3. This route is classed as moderate, with long moderate slopes along a mostly firm compacted gravel access track. The track is wide, with uneven sections and some minor potholes which can fill with rain. The roadway includes wide gates with spring bolt opening.
4. The uphill section is worth the effort as you approach the wind turbines, the elevated position offers excellent views.

Distance: 4.5km return; Time: 1.5 hours; Rating: Moderate

An easy to access route on the souther edge of Lerwick with views over Clickimin Loch and broch and onwards to Bressay.

This route follows a trail which links the Hoofields area of Lerwick and Sandy Loch Drive, at the south end of the town. It can be tackled in either direction so can be started at either end.

1. This is a linear route between Hoofields and Sandy Loch Drive, with some excellent views over the town, its harbour and the isle of Bressay.
2. There is on street parking at either end of the trail and both start points can be reached using local bus services.
3. Classed as moderate, the track is firm in most places and is a wide gravel path with some sections that are uneven and can become muddy in wet weather.
4. Cunningham Way is part of the Core Path CPPLO5 and can be linked to a longer circular route through and around Lerwick.

Distance: 1.5km return; Time: 30 minutes; Rating: Moderate

Follow the coastal path from Virkie to the longest beach in Shetland - keep an eye out for wildlife and hardy surfers!

Starting in Virkie near Sumburgh Airport this route follows an access path to Quendale Beach, a glorious stretch of golden sand and dunes. It’s the longest beach in Shetland making it popular with dog walkers, while in the water you may see surfers trying to catch a wave rolling in off the Atlantic.

1. Parking can be found at the start of the route, just past Ninian Drive in Virkie.
2. From there follow the coastal access path, which is a moderate long slope down to the beach.
3. The track is mostly compacted gravel, which although it is wide does have some uneven sections.
4. The beach can be accessed by a wide gate, but the sand can be soft.
5. At Sumburgh Airport, a short drive from the start of the route, there is a changing places toilet.

Distance: 3km return; Time: 1.5 hours; Rating: Moderate/Strenuous

Ascend the gravel path leading to a memorial stone commemorating a wartime plane crash. Look to the east to marvel at the Iron Age Mousa Broch.

The “Mosquito” referred to is not an insect, but rather a military aircraft. The end point is a stone of remembrance, marking the point where an RAF de Havilland Mosquito crashed into Royl Field on the Clift Hills on 22^nd November 1944. The aircraft was returning from a mission to drop target markers on U-Boat pens at Trondheim in occupied Norway. The aircraft was low on fuel when it crashed into the hillside.

Note: Only the gravel path part of this route is wheelchair accessible with the final stretch being across peatland.

1. Parking can be found at the start of this route on a layby on the A970 at Swinister, just past the southern junction to Sandwick.
2. The route starts off moderate, but the path deteriorates before the memorial.
3. Following the track from the start, ascend a moderate long slope along mostly firm compacted gravel.
4. This section of the track is wide, with some uneven grass sections.
5. The views from the track section of the route looking east to the island of Mousa and its famous broch are fantastic.
6. Approaching the memorial stone, the path deteriorates and is more strenuous, impassable for wheeling. However, the last stretch is worth the effort for the reward of excellent views and feelings of wilderness.