Ulsta to Gutcher
- 30 km
- 262 m
- Easy
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 262 m
- 30 km
Route overview
Suitable for riders able to manage 30 km with 262 m of climbing on mainly paved roads.
Stage 2 of 3 of the EuroVelo 12: 30.4 km from Ulsta to Gutcher with 262 m of climbing, on the signed route.
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 | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 0 km | 1.6 km | 53 m | 3.2 % | 5.6 % | 60 m |
| — | 8.5 km | 2.2 km | 62 m | 2.8 % | 4.6 % | 76 m |
| — | 16.6 km | 1.9 km | 54 m | 2.9 % | 4.6 % | 76 m |
What this ride is like
- 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 throughout
- Gradient
- 27% climbing · 28% descending · 45% flat
- Longest descent
- 2 km from 5.9 km, dropping 46 m
Along the way
Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 30 km, from 0 km to 30 km.
Food, water and shops
- 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)
At the start
- Ulsta · ferry · 150 m
- Yell Eats · fast food · 170 m
At the finish
- Belmont Ferry Terminal · ferry · 60 m
Stay after this ride
- Gardiesfauld Hostel · hostel · 2.6 km from the finish
- Gardiesfauld Campsite · campsite · 2.6 km from the finish
Practical information
- Paved
- Point to point
- 2 h 10 min
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