Collafirth Hill, Mid Field and Ronas Hill Loop

This roughly 12 km / 7.5 mile loop on Shetland’s North Mainland gives a fine introduction to the stark, open character of Ronas Hill country: broad moorland, stony uplands, scattered lochans, and one of the most expansive viewpoints in the islands. With around 400 m / 1,312 ft of ascent and a medium difficulty rating, it is best suited to hikers who are comfortable on rough, often pathless ground and who are prepared for fast-changing weather. The usual starting point is the track end by the radio masts on Collafirth Hill, above Collafirth near North Roe, reached from the unmarked access track off the A970 west of the Bay of Collafirth. (shetland.org)

The route begins high already, which removes some of the lower climbing, but it still feels serious because the terrain is exposed almost from the outset. From the parking area near the masts, the ground trends out across bare, rocky upland toward Mid Field before the final rise to Ronas Hill, the highest point in Shetland at about 450 m / 1,476 ft. Even on a loop of only around 12 km, progress can be slower than the distance suggests because the surface is uneven, wet in places, and frequently without a strongly defined trail. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

What the route feels like

The opening section from Collafirth Hill is a gradual crossing of exposed hill ground rather than a sheltered valley walk. Expect a mixture of short turf, peat, stone, and frost-shattered granite underfoot. The approach to Mid Field is broad and open, with little in the way of cover, and in mist the landscape can become featureless surprisingly quickly. This is the kind of terrain where steady pacing matters more than speed, especially if the ground is saturated or the wind is strong. For navigation, HiiKER is the most useful tool to have ready before setting out. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

From Mid Field, the route continues toward Ronas Hill itself. This is the most memorable part of the walk, with the land becoming more dramatic and more distinctly arctic in character. The summit area is wide rather than sharply peaked, and the top is marked by a trig point within a stone wind shelter. On clear days, the views are immense, stretching across much of Shetland, with Yell Sound, Ronas Voe, and distant coastal outlines all coming into view. (walkhighlands.co.uk)

If your loop variation drops away from the summit shoulder before curving back toward the start, expect a rough descent with intermittent wet ground and lochans nearby. Some route lines in this area pass a small loch on the descent from Mid Field before reascending toward Ronas Hill or circling back across the plateau. Because several informal variations exist, it is worth checking the exact line in advance rather than expecting waymarking on the ground. (alltrails.com)

Terrain, weather and things to watch for

This landscape is famous for feeling much bigger than the map suggests. The upper slopes and plateau are composed of red granite and granophyre, with extensive frost-broken stone and periglacial features created by repeated freezing and thawing. NatureScot and Shetland sources describe the summit climate as comparable to much higher Scottish mountains, which helps explain why the ground can feel severe and exposed despite the modest elevation. (shetland.org)

The main hazards are exposure, wind, low cloud, wet peat, and route-finding difficulty. There may be little or no shelter for long stretches, and visibility can collapse quickly. After rain, sections can be boggy, and the stony ground can be awkward underfoot even when dry. The access track to the start is also uneven and not maintained, so drivers should approach it slowly and avoid assuming it is suitable for larger vehicles. (shetland.org)

Midges can also be an issue in calmer, damper conditions, especially in summer and