Shetland Geopark Trails
Unst has a rich Geopark history and is an island of two halves. The Western side is made from rocks from the former North America.
The rocks on the Eastern side are oceanic crust.
A fantastic example of these two types of rock is at Norwick Beach. An information board there shows you what to look for.
For more information, look at the Shetland Amenity Trust website section on “The Ophiolite Trail” where you will see more detailed information on the Trails below:-
https://www.shetlandamenity.org/trails-and-exhibits
(Shetland Geopark information packs on "The Ophiolite Trail" are also available from the Unst Heritage Centre, priced £2.50.)
Trail 1
The ideal place to start your journey of exploration is at the Unst Heritage Centre, down the road from the Saxavord Resort. There is an exhibition which explains in detail the Unst geological story.
Outside the centre is a "Geowall" which shows a cross section of the geology of the Island of Unst.
Trail 2
Norwick/Hermaness/Keen of Hamar. Allow a full day by car or bike and foot.
This trail explores the difference between oceanic and continental rocks of Unst.
Trail 3.
Hagdale and the Heogs. Allow 2 hours by car or bike and foot.
This trail explores the lower layers of the ophiolite and the remains of the 19th century chromite mining industry at the Hagdale Quarry.
Trail 4.
Sobul and Watlee Burn. Allow 3 hours by car or bike and foot.
This trail takes you to the gabbro and the collision zone where the ocean crust meets the continental.
Trail 5.
Ham Ness, Muness. Allow 2 hours by car or bike and foot.
This trail takes you to areas where you can see "sheeted dykes" topped with "pillow lavas".
FETLAR
Trail 6.
Funzie to Staves Geo. Allow 3 hours by car or bike and foot.
This trail takes you to another point of contact: this time, the base of the upper nappe - a second wave of the ophiolite.
Unst has a rich Geopark history and is an island of two halves. The Western side is made from rocks from the former North America.
The rocks on the Eastern side are oceanic crust.
A fantastic example of these two types of rock is at Norwick Beach. An information board there shows you what to look for.
For more information, look at the Shetland Amenity Trust website section on “The Ophiolite Trail” where you will see more detailed information on the Trails below:-
https://www.shetlandamenity.org/trails-and-exhibits
(Shetland Geopark information packs on "The Ophiolite Trail" are also available from the Unst Heritage Centre, priced £2.50.)
Trail 1
The ideal place to start your journey of exploration is at the Unst Heritage Centre, down the road from the Saxavord Resort. There is an exhibition which explains in detail the Unst geological story.
Outside the centre is a "Geowall" which shows a cross section of the geology of the Island of Unst.
Trail 2
Norwick/Hermaness/Keen of Hamar. Allow a full day by car or bike and foot.
This trail explores the difference between oceanic and continental rocks of Unst.
Trail 3.
Hagdale and the Heogs. Allow 2 hours by car or bike and foot.
This trail explores the lower layers of the ophiolite and the remains of the 19th century chromite mining industry at the Hagdale Quarry.
Trail 4.
Sobul and Watlee Burn. Allow 3 hours by car or bike and foot.
This trail takes you to the gabbro and the collision zone where the ocean crust meets the continental.
Trail 5.
Ham Ness, Muness. Allow 2 hours by car or bike and foot.
This trail takes you to areas where you can see "sheeted dykes" topped with "pillow lavas".
FETLAR
Trail 6.
Funzie to Staves Geo. Allow 3 hours by car or bike and foot.
This trail takes you to another point of contact: this time, the base of the upper nappe - a second wave of the ophiolite.