Road · United Kingdom
Stage 2 of 3 · EuroVelo 12← Stage 1Stage 3 →
Ulsta to Gutcher
A hilly 30 km road cycling route from Ulsta, Shetland to Gutcher through West Yell, Windhouse and Colvister, with 262 m of climbing. Most of it (27.2 km) is on main roads without a cycle lane. The first 30 km has no café, shop or water.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides for confident riders at ease in traffic
- Distance
- 30.4 km
- Elevation gain
- 262 m
- Riding time
- 2 h 10 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 30 km
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Ulsta → Gutcher
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 262 m
- 30 km
Route description
- Ulsta
- West Yell
- Windhouse
- Colvister
- Sellafirth
- South Garth
- Gutcher
Starting from Ulsta just after the first 0.5 km, the route climbs steadily for 1.6 km gaining 53 m at an average gradient of 3.2%, passing near the Hill of Clothan, Hill of Setter and Hill of Sherin. It follows the A968 main road for 27.2 km, mostly paved (92%) but includes 0.6 km each on a track and a quiet street, with 1.8 km unmapped. The first half of the ride includes most climbing, with a 2.2 km climb from km 8.5 gaining 62 m at 2.8% average and another climb from km 16.6 over 1.9 km with 54 m gain at 2.9% average to the highest point of 76 m at km 18.5. Beyond this, the route descends towards Gutcher with the longest descent covering 2 km from km 5.9.
Places along the route include West Yell (4.1 km), Windhouse (14.6 km), Colvister (21.5 km), Sellafirth (24.9 km), Gutcher (27.8 km) and South Garth (28.4 km). There are no cafés, shops or water points on the route; Yell Eats fast food and toilets are available near the start at Ulsta, and toilets and ferry access at Gutcher provide bail-out options. Peaks such as Hill of Sandwick, Hill of Bouster, Hill of Camb and Sandwater Hill lie near the road. The route's surface and main road character support a steady, moderate effort over mainly paved surfaces.
Highlights
- Hill of Clothan near the start
- Highest point at 76 m around km 18.5
- Hill of Sandwick near km 10.4
- Ferry points at Ulsta and Gutcher
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 0 km | 1.6 km · 53 m · 3.2 % · max 5.6 % | 60 m |
| Unnamed climb | 8.5 km | 2.2 km · 62 m · 2.8 % · max 4.6 % | 76 m |
| Unnamed climb | 16.6 km | 1.9 km · 54 m · 2.9 % · max 4.6 % | 76 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
This is not a cycle-track route: 89% is on main roads without a cycle lane. Riders should be comfortable sharing the road with faster traffic.
- Roads
- 90% main road · 2% track · 2% quiet street · 6% unmapped
- Main roads
- 27.2 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Main roads used
- A968 (27 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 92% of the route is mapped as paved, 2% as unpaved and 6% has no surface data.
- Gradient
- 27% climbing · 28% descending · 45% flat
- Longest descent
- 2 km from 5.9 km, dropping 46 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 30 km, from the start. Along the route: 1 café or restaurant and 2 public toilets.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmYell Eats · fast food · 170 m off route
- 0 kmToilets · 190 m off route
- 28.1 kmToilets · on the route
Need to bail out?
- 0 km — Ulsta (ferry), 150 m off route
- 28.2 km — Gutcher (ferry), on the route
Worth a stop
- 10.4 km — Hill of Sandwick (peak, 80 m)
- 14.3 km — Windhouse Broch (archaeological site)
- 30.3 km — Norse farmstead (ruins)
Stay after this ride
- Gardiesfauld Hostel · hostel · 2.6 km from the finish
- Gardiesfauld Campsite · campsite · 2.6 km from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Trains and ferries
- Ulsta (150 m)
- Food and coffee
- Yell Eats (170 m)
At the finish
- Trains and ferries
- Belmont Ferry Terminal (60 m)
Know before you go
- 27.2 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- Longest stretch 30.3 km without café, shop or water
- 2% of route on gravel or unpaved surface
