Breck of Newgord, Hagdales Nest, Smoity Knowe and Berry Knowe Loop

This medium-grade loop on the west side of Unst packs a lot into roughly 9 km / 5.6 miles, with about 400 m / 1,312 ft of ascent spread across open moor, coastal edges, low hills and exposed headlands. The route lies near Westing on Unst, Shetland, with the start most closely associated with the Westing/Newgord area off the A968, south-west of Baltasound rather than a formal trailhead with major facilities. The terrain is characteristically Shetland: springy peat, rough grass, heather, wet ground, short steep pulls onto knowes, and sections where the line of travel is more obvious on the map than on the ground. Expect a walk that feels remote and airy rather than technically difficult, but one that still demands sound judgment in wind, mist and rain. (unstwaw.weebly.com)

The outing begins by heading out from the lane beyond Newgord toward the Breck of Newgord, then out onto open ground above the coast near Collaster. From there the route works around the coast and inland high points associated with Hagdales Ness, Smoity Knowe and Berry Knowe, linking moorland and cliff-top country in a compact circuit. Even though the overall distance is modest, progress can be slower than the numbers suggest because of boggy patches, uneven footing and the need to pick careful lines across pathless sections. A reasonable planning estimate for many walkers is around 3 to 4 hours, longer in poor visibility or if you stop often for views and wildlife. (unstwaw.weebly.com)

Terrain and route character

The first part is usually the easiest underfoot, following a lane and then a track before the route opens onto moorland. Once beyond the more obvious access line, the walk becomes much more typical of Unst hill and coast walking: faint trods, peat hags, damp hollows and broad grassy rises. The ascent is not concentrated in one single climb; instead, it tends to come in repeated undulations as you move between coastal shelves and rounded high points. That makes the route feel more strenuous than a simple 9 km / 5.6 mile figure might imply. (unstwaw.weebly.com)

The coastal sections are among the highlights. Around the west-facing side near Collaster and Hagdales Ness, the land drops toward the Atlantic in a mixture of rocky shore, low cliffs and geos. In calm weather this is a superb place for wide sea views; in strong winds it becomes a place to treat every edge with respect. Cornices are not the issue here so much as slick grass, hidden soft margins and gusts that can be fierce even on relatively low ground. If cloud drops, the rounded knowes inland can also make navigation surprisingly awkward because features blend together. For route-finding, carrying and checking the route on HiiKER is the most practical way to stay oriented between the named tops and coastal turns. (unstwaw.weebly.com)

Landmarks, scenery and what to notice

One of the most distinctive early landmarks is the Breck of Newgord, a broad upland shoulder with expansive views northward over the Wick of Collaster toward Hagdales Ness and the offshore skerries and headlands beyond. This stretch gives a strong sense of Unst’s openness: long horizons, treeless moor, sea on multiple sides, and a landscape shaped as much by weather and grazing as by relief. (commons.wikimedia.org)

As the loop reaches the coast, look out for inlets and erosional features such as the Bogligarths Geo area mentioned in local walking notes, along with burns dropping toward the shore and lochans set back from the cliff line. Inland, Berry Knowe and Smoity Knowe provide the higher ground of the circuit, giving broader views across Valla Field, Westing and the surrounding Atlantic-facing coast. These are not dramatic mountain summits, but they are excellent viewpoints in clear weather and help reveal the structure of the route. (unstwaw.weebly.com)

Wildlife can be one of the biggest rewards here. Unst is well known for seabirds, breeding waders and coastal birdlife, and on a route like this you may encounter skuas, gulls, oystercatchers, cur