Road · United Kingdom
Local Cycle Route B9081
A hilly 21 km road cycling route from Mid Yell, Shetland through Burravoe, Littlester and Hamnavoe, with 236 m of climbing. Most of it (20.4 km) is on main roads without a cycle lane.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides for confident riders at ease in traffic
- Distance
- 20.8 km
- Elevation gain
- 236 m
- Riding time
- 1 h 29 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 19 km
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Mid Yell
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 236 m
- 21 km
Route description
- Mid Yell
- Burravoe
- Littlester
- Hamnavoe
This route starts near Mid Yell at 1.4 km and follows the B9081 main road for almost the entire 20.8 km distance to Ulsta. The initial 3.7 km climb begins at 0.6 km, gaining 124 m at an average gradient of 3.3% to a high point of 133 m near km 4.3. After this, the route descends for about 2.5 km, dropping 77 m. Beyond the midpoint, the profile flattens with some rolling terrain, including a smaller 1.5 km climb starting at 17.7 km, gaining 42 m at 2.9% average gradient, reaching 52 m. The surface is paved for 98% of the route, mostly on the B9081 main road, which has no cycle lanes for the entire distance.
The route passes through Burravoe at 13.6 km, Littlester at 14.9 km, and Hamnavoe at 16.4 km before ending near Ulsta at 20.3 km. Amenities include a convenience store at Mid Yell (1.4 km) and fast food near Ulsta at 20.7 km, which is also a bailout point due to the ferry. There is a 19.3 km stretch between 1.4 km and 20.7 km without cafés, shops, or water. Nearby peaks include North Ward and South Ward of Reafirth around km 4, and Peerie Hill near km 10.4.
Highlights
- Climb to 133 m near km 4.3
- Burravoe at 13.6 km
- South Ward of Reafirth peak at km 4.8
- Ulsta ferry and fast food at 20.7 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 0.6 km | 3.7 km · 124 m · 3.3 % · max 5.3 % | 133 m |
| Unnamed climb | 17.7 km | 1.5 km · 42 m · 2.9 % · max 4.2 % | 52 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
This is not a cycle-track route: 98% is on main roads without a cycle lane. Riders should be comfortable sharing the road with faster traffic.
- Roads
- 98% main road · 2% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 20.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Main roads used
- B9081 (20 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 98% of the route is mapped as paved, 2% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 34% climbing · 36% descending · 29% flat
- Steep sections
- 0.6 km over 5%
- Longest descent
- 2.5 km from 4.5 km, dropping 77 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 19 km, from km 1 to 21. Along the route: 1 café or restaurant, 1 shop and 1 public toilet.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 1.4 kmHilltop Shop · convenience store · on the route
- 20.7 kmYell Eats · fast food · 190 m off route
- 20.7 kmToilets · 200 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 20.7 km — Ulsta (ferry), 160 m off route
Worth a stop
- 4.8 km — South Ward of Reafirth (peak, 186 m)
- 10.4 km — Peerie Hill (peak, 70 m)
Start and access
At the finish
- Trains and ferries
- Ulsta (160 m)
- Food and coffee
- Yell Eats (190 m)
Know before you go
- 19.3 km without café, shop or water from 1.4 to 20.7 km
- 20.4 km on main roads without cycle lanes
