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Dusk over the low hills of Fetlar, a road running towards a house on the skyline.
Shetland Islands

The Snap, Fetlar

A clifftop walk from Funzie on Fetlar to the Snap, a sea arch standing out of the water, past stacks and seabirds.

Welcome

The Snap is a stretch of wild coast in the south-east of Fetlar, and the walk out to it is one of the island's best.

It starts from the car park by the Loch of Funzie, where red-necked phalaropes breed from late May to late July, and drops to Funzie Bay before climbing steeply up the grassy cliffs.

Along the cliff top it passes the sharp-edged Furra Stacks, a couple of geos and the headland of Busta on the way to the Snap itself, a great natural arch rising from the sea. Fulmars, terns and skuas are all about, with the odd seal and, with luck, a passing whale. The circuit comes back by the coast to Aithbank and along the road. It is about eight kilometres and two and a half to three and a half hours, boggy and pathless in places, with stiles over every fence.

Close byFunzie BeachA small bay on the east side of Fetlar where the pebbles were squashed into rods 400 million years ago.2 min by roadSee itThe pebble beach at Funzie Bay, Fetlar, and the green cliffs beyond.
Before you go

Open at any time and free.

Two ferries from the Mainland: Toft to Ulsta in Yell, about 20 minutes, then Gutcher to Hamars Ness on Fetlar, about 25; book a car on both in summer, and fill up before, as there is no fuel on Fetlar. Start at the Loch of Funzie car park on the B9088.

Getting there
Toft to Ulsta, about 20 minutes; Gutcher to Hamars Ness, about 25.
Walk
About 8km; 2.5 to 3.5 hours.
Going
Cliff tops; boggy in places; stiles.
Where it is

Funzie, Fetlar, ZE2 9DJ.

Close byOn Fetlar.
  1. Stone circle and cairn ring in a grassy field edged by treesHaltadans Stone CircleThirty-eight stones, and two in the middle3 miles7 min by road
  2. The Gloup memorial statue on its plinth above the beach at Gloup Voe.Gloup MemorialA woman and child in stone above Gloup Voe in North Yell, for the 58 fishermen lost in the storm of July 1881.17 miles103 min by road
Directions
The pebble beach at Funzie Bay, Fetlar, and the green cliffs beyond.AttractionsFunzie Beach0.7 miles
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