How hard is Da Sneug [The Sneug]?

We grade Da Sneug [The Sneug] at 3/5, which puts it in moderately challenging territory. Underfoot: Wet peat moor on the approach gives way to steep grass and broken rock.

What is Da Sneug [The Sneug]'s prominence?

Da Sneug [The Sneug]'s prominence is its full height — 418m — because it is the highest point of its landmass, with no higher ground connected to it. That drop is what qualifies it as a Marilyn — a hill with at least 150m of descent on every side.

When is the best time to climb Da Sneug [The Sneug]?

March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Da Sneug [The Sneug]. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.

Is Da Sneug [The Sneug] dog-friendly?

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.

By Gary

Photo: Mike Pennington / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Marilyn · Orkney & Shetland

Da Sneug [The Sneug]

Da Sneug is the highest point of Foula, the remote inhabited island lying 20 miles west of Shetland Mainland. At 418m it rises in dramatic sea cliffs above the Atlantic — among the highest in Britain — and the experience of walking it feels closer to a sub-Arctic expedition than a hillwalk.

Quick facts

Height: 418m/ 1371ft
Prominence: 418 m
Difficulty: 3 / 5Strenuous
Grid ref: HT 94784 39499
Dogs: Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗

Height and prominence cross-checked against the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY).

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Standard route

heather moorland 50% · rocky slopes 35% · grass slopes 15%

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Elevation profile coming with the GPX track

From Ham, the island's landing point, a track and then pathless slopes climb west through peat moor onto the high ground. The summit is reached after about 5km of rising ground; full traverse including The Kame cliffs takes 4-5 hours.

Terrain

Wet peat moor on the approach gives way to steep grass and broken rock. Cliffs on the western and northern aspects are unfenced and lethal — give them a wide berth in wind.

In winter

Foula is rarely visited in winter as the ferry runs to summer schedules only. Conditions are essentially perpetual gale, with severe wind chill on any cliffline.

Outside the SAIS network. No Scottish Avalanche Information Service forecast covers Da Sneug [The Sneug]. SAIS forecasts six areas only — Northern and Southern Cairngorms, Creag Meagaidh, Lochaber, Glencoe and Torridon — and this hill is outside all of them, so there is no avalanche forecast to read for it. No MWIS mountain forecast covers this area either. In winter, work from a local weather forecast, judge snow stability from first principles, and treat any cornice or wind-loaded slope with extra caution.

Best time of year

Best OK Avoid

Getting there

Glasgow12h 24m
Edinburgh11h 12m

Ferry access

Aberdeen → Lerwick (Shetland)

Crossing time720 min
Summer sailingsDaily overnight sailing (Apr–Oct)
Winter sailingsDaily overnight sailing (Nov–Mar)
Book ahead14 days

A 12-hour overnight sailing — book a cabin berth. Plan a multi-day Shetland trip; the island is large and the journey is substantial. Flights from Aberdeen/Edinburgh are a faster alternative.

Book on ferry operator ↗

OS maps: OS Landranger 4, OS Explorer 467W

Mobile signal: Poor. Remote Foula island; no reliable coverage.

Current conditions

Daylight Today

14h 28mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 06:33
Sunset: 19:35
Civil dawn: 05:50
Civil dusk: 20:18

NOAA Solar Calculator · 14 September 2026

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Da Sneug [The Sneug] — common questions

How hard is Da Sneug [The Sneug]?: We grade Da Sneug [The Sneug] at 3/5, which puts it in moderately challenging territory. Underfoot: Wet peat moor on the approach gives way to steep grass and broken rock.
What is Da Sneug [The Sneug]'s prominence?: Da Sneug [The Sneug]'s prominence is its full height — 418m — because it is the highest point of its landmass, with no higher ground connected to it. That drop is what qualifies it as a Marilyn — a hill with at least 150m of descent on every side.
When is the best time to climb Da Sneug [The Sneug]?: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October give the most reliable conditions on Da Sneug [The Sneug]. Beyond that window the high ground turns wintry: carry full mountain kit, be confident navigating, and check the SAIS avalanche forecast for the area.
Is Da Sneug [The Sneug] dog-friendly?: Yes, but dogs must be kept on a lead — there is livestock or ground-nesting bird interest on the route.
Is there mobile signal on Da Sneug [The Sneug]?: Poor. Remote Foula island; no reliable coverage.
How do I get the ferry to Da Sneug [The Sneug]?: Aberdeen → Lerwick (Shetland). Daily overnight sailing (Apr–Oct) in summer; Daily overnight sailing (Nov–Mar) in winter. Book at least 14 days ahead. A 12-hour overnight sailing — book a cabin berth. Plan a multi-day Shetland trip; the island is large and the journey is substantial. Flights from Aberdeen/Edinburgh are a faster alternative.
Is Da Sneug [The Sneug] safe in winter?: Foula is rarely visited in winter as the ferry runs to summer schedules only. Conditions are essentially perpetual gale, with severe wind chill on any cliffline.

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