EuroVelo 12
- 53 km
- 548 m
- Moderate
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 548 m
- 53 km
Route overview
This ride suits cyclists capable of moderate climbing over 52.7 km with some fast main road sections.
EuroVelo 12, a 52.7 km point-to-point ride in Shetland from Grutness to Lerwick with 548 m climbing.
Starting near Grutness, the route passes through Sumburgh and Scatness before continuing to Toab and Dunrossness. Early climbs include a 1.4 km ascent gaining 66 m at 4.6% average gradient and a 1.5 km climb at 3.3%. The ride then proceeds via Symblisetter, Spiggie, and Scousburgh, passing several climbs including one of 2.6 km length with a 72 m gain at 2.7% and another 1.1 km at 4.3% gradient. The surface is mostly paved (99%) with a small 1% unpaved section, and the roads are mainly main roads (55%) without cycle lanes, including 10.8 km of 80 km/h or more roads. Notable roads include the A970 for 20.8 km and the B9122 for 6.4 km. The longest stretch without cafés, shops or water is 32.9 km from 16.1 km to 49 km. There are several bailout points including ferries at 1.9 km, 28.6 km and Lerwick at 52.1 km. The route finishes in Lerwick, which offers cafés, supermarkets and a ferry station. The profile varies with 24% climbing, 28% descending and 48% flat sections, with climbing mostly in the first half. The highest point is 104 m at 47.1 km. The steepest 500 m section is at 38.6 km with a 6.5% gradient. The longest descent is 2.2 km starting at 47.7 km with a drop of 91 m. Peaks near the route include The Compass at 101 m near the start, Gallow Hill at 62 m around 8 km, and Hill of Sand at 100 m near 45 km.
Highlights
- Peaks near route: The Compass, Gallow Hill, Hill of Sand
- Climbs up to 66 m gain at 4.6%
- Longest stretch without café or shop: 32.9 km
- Major roads: A970 for 20.8 km and B9122 for 6.4 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 4.7 km | 1.4 km | 66 m | 4.6 % | 6.8 % | 71 m |
| — | 15.4 km | 1.5 km | 49 m | 3.3 % | 5.7 % | 51 m |
| — | 19.3 km | 2.6 km | 72 m | 2.7 % | 4.5 % | 100 m |
| — | 24.7 km | 1.1 km | 46 m | 4.3 % | 6.7 % | 93 m |
| — | 34.7 km | 1.2 km | 48 m | 4 % | 6.1 % | 51 m |
| — | 37.6 km | 1.3 km | 55 m | 4.3 % | 6.7 % | 76 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 55% main road · 40% minor road · 4% quiet street · 1% track
- Main roads
- 28.7 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 10.8 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- A970 (21 km), B9122 (6 km), Spiggie Lane (3 km)
- Surface
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 24% climbing · 28% descending · 48% flat
- Steep sections
- 2.6 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 6.5% at 38.6 km
- Longest descent
- 2.2 km from 47.7 km, dropping 91 m
Along the way
Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 33 km, from 16 km to 49 km.
Food, water and shops
- 1.9 kmToilets · 190 m off route
- 2.5 kmSumburgh Hotel Lounge Bar · restaurant · 160 m off route
- 9.9 kmDa Craft Shed · convenience store · 80 m off route
- 9.9 kmPetrol station · 40 m off route
- 16.1 kmSpiggie Hotel · pub · on the route
- 49.5 kmSound Service Station · petrol station · on the route
- 51 kmShetland Community Bike Project · bike shop · 310 m off route
- 51.2 kmFreefield Pharmacy · pharmacy · on the route
- 51.4 kmThe Olive Tree Cafe · café · 50 m off route
- 51.4 kmToilets · 70 m off route
- 51.7 kmCo-op Food · supermarket · 40 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 1.9 km — Ferry, 190 m off route
- 28.6 km — Ferry, 450 m off route
- 52.1 km — Lerwick (ferry), 100 m off route
Worth a stop
- 0 km — End section 3/ beginning section 4 (viewpoint)
- 4.3 km — Old Scatness Broch (archaeological site)
- 8.1 km — Gallow Hill (peak, 62 m)
- 16.9 km — Scousburgh Broch (archaeological site)
- 29.9 km — Mousa Sound Viewpoint (viewpoint)
- 34.5 km — Burn of Aith Broch (archaeological site)
At the finish
- Co-op Food · supermarket · 480 m
- Lerwick · ferry · 160 m
- The Olive Tree Cafe · café · 720 m
- Skipidock Inn · café · 680 m
- Scoop Wholefoods · supermarket · 630 m
Stay after this ride
- The Shetland Hotel · hotel · 160 m from the finish
- Islesburgh House Hostel · hostel · 1.3 km from the finish
- Arisdale B&B · guest house · 1.4 km from the finish
- The Lerwick Hotel · hotel · 1.5 km from the finish
- Fort Charlotte Guesthouse · guest house · 1.3 km from the finish
Practical information
- Paved
- Point to point
- 3 h 46 min
Know before you go
- 32.9 km stretch without café, shop or water from 16.1 km
- 28.7 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 10.8 km of roads with speed 80 km/h or more
- Gravel/unpaved for 1% of route