Wick of Housabister, Hill of Neap, Loch of Stavaness and East Hill of Bellister Loop

This easy loop explores a quiet corner of North Nesting on Shetland Mainland, linking low moorland, lochs, open hill ground and a rugged stretch of coast. At roughly 13 km / 8.1 miles with only about 100 m / 330 ft of ascent, it is more of a long, undulating outing than a strenuous hill walk, but the exposed setting means it can still feel serious in wind, rain or mist. The route is best thought of as a mixture of minor road, rough pasture, peatland and pathless sections, so even with modest elevation it rewards careful planning and steady footing.

The start is most sensibly described as being near Neap, reached by the side road from Brettabister in Nesting, Shetland Mainland, rather than at a formal trailhead. Neap lies at the end of the road that runs out through Housabister and Kirkabister from Brettabister. (shetland.org) If you are arriving by car, the usual approach is from Lerwick via the A970 and then the B9075 (the Nesting Loop) toward Brettabister, before following the side road east toward Neap. Parking is typically informal and limited, so it is worth keeping gateways, passing places and croft access completely clear. Public transport is possible in principle via Shetland’s bus network to the Nesting area, but services are designed around local travel rather than visitor access and may require a connection or a walk from the nearest served point, so checking current ZetTrans or Shetland bus information before setting out is important. (shetland.org)

The character of the walk changes as it goes. Early on, the ground around Wick of Housabister and the road end near Neap feels coastal and open, with broad views over inlets, skerries and the North Sea. From there the loop turns inland over gentler terrain toward the Hill of Neap, then past the Loch of Stavaness, before curving across to the East Hill of Bellister and back. None of these rises are especially high, but they give enough lift for wide views across the intricate, fjord-like landscape that this part of Shetland is known for. The terrain is often springy underfoot, with wet patches, peat hags and rough grass, so waterproof footwear is a better choice than lightweight road shoes even in dry weather.

Terrain and route-finding

Although the difficulty is easy overall, this is not necessarily a manicured waymarked circuit. Expect stretches where the line on the ground is faint or absent, especially across moorland between the named features. In clear weather the navigation is usually straightforward because the hills, lochs and coastline provide strong handrails, but in low cloud the landscape can become deceptively uniform. A downloaded route on HiiKER is useful here, especially where the loop leaves obvious tracks and crosses open ground.

The ascent is spread gently through the day rather than concentrated in one climb. The Hill of Neap is likely to be the first noticeably raised section, but gradients remain mild. The East Hill of Bellister gives another small rise later in the route and often feels more exposed than steep. Because the total climb is only around 100 m / 330 ft, most walkers will find the main challenge comes from surface conditions and weather rather than fitness.

Wet ground is one of the main things to prepare for. Around lochs and flatter moorland, peat can hold water for long periods, and after rain some sections may become boggy. Gaiters can be useful in shoulder seasons. Wind is the other major factor: this is an open coastal part of Shetland, and even a calm-looking forecast elsewhere can feel much sharper here.

Landmarks, scenery and wildlife

The route’s named features give a good sense of what to expect. A wick in Shetland place-names usually indicates a bay or inlet, so the Wick of Housabister section brings a maritime feel early in the walk, with indented shoreline and views across the water. The inland sections around the Loch of Stavaness add a quieter contrast: still water, moorland margins and a more spacious, open feel. The East Hill of Bellister then provides a final elevated viewpoint over the surrounding crofting landscape and coast.

This part of Nesting is well known for wildlife.