Marilyn · Orkney & Shetland
Ronas Hill
Ronas Hill is the highest point of Shetland at 450m, a great red-granite dome rising above the moors of northwest Mainland. The summit feels genuinely Arctic, with stone-stripe patterning, fellfield vegetation and one of the most northerly NTS-cared-for chambered cairns in Britain.
Quick facts
- Height
- 450m/ 1476ft
- Grid ref
- HU 30503 83477
- Dogs
- Dogs on lead required near livestockDog-friendly guide ↗
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Standard route
blanket bog 50% · rocky summit 30% · heather moorland 20%
From the masts at Collafirth Hill (reached by a tarmac service road) the walk follows pathless open moor west and north over Mid Field and Roga Field to the summit. Around 8km return with 200m net ascent in 3-4 hours — straightforward in clear weather only.
Terrain
Granite gravel and fellfield on the upper hill, peat hags and bog cotton lower down. The ground is comparatively dry by Shetland standards but featureless and rocky in places.
In winter
Snow can lie surprisingly long given the latitude. The exposure to Atlantic gales is the bigger hazard — winds over 70mph are routine in winter. Save for calm spells.
Best time of year
Getting there
- Glasgow14h 7m
- Edinburgh13h 42m
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 1, OS Landranger 3, OS Explorer 469N
Mobile signal: Poor. Remote north Shetland mainland; limited coverage.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 03:35
- Sunset
- 22:37
- Civil dawn
- 01:29
- Civil dusk
- 00:44
NOAA Solar Calculator · 16 June 2026
Ronas Hill — common questions
- How hard is Ronas Hill?
- Ronas Hill is rated 3/5 (moderately challenging) on the OutdoorSCOT scale. Terrain: Granite gravel and fellfield on the upper hill, peat hags and bog cotton lower down.
- When is the best time to climb Ronas Hill?
- The standard good-weather months for Ronas Hill are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October. Outside those months, expect winter conditions on the high ground — full mountain kit, navigation skills, and a check of the SAIS avalanche forecast for the relevant region.
- Can I bring my dog up Ronas Hill?
- 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 Ronas Hill?
- Poor. Remote north Shetland mainland; limited coverage.
- How do I get the ferry to Ronas Hill?
- 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 Ronas Hill safe in winter?
- Snow can lie surprisingly long given the latitude. The exposure to Atlantic gales is the bigger hazard — winds over 70mph are routine in winter. Save for calm spells.
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