Hiking the Old Man of Storr
ISLE OF SKYE GUIDE
The Isle of Skye, situated off the west coast of Scotland, is full of rugged landscapes, natural beauty, and outstanding hikes.
One natural phenomenon that can’t be missed is the Old Man of Storr.
The “Old Man” is a large pinnacle of rock that stands around 50 meters high and is visible for miles around. One of the most iconic and impressive views, not only on the island but the whole of Scotland. Hiking to the Old Man of Storr gives you magnificent, panoramic views of the surrounding mainland and ancient landslip below.
Reaching the top of this famous walk, witnessing the sunrise over the water, and watching the sky turn various shades of pinks and oranges is by far a highlight from our trips to this magnificent Island.
So here is everything you need to know to plan your hike up to the Old Man of Storr.
Read our article “12 REASONS TO ADD STUNNING SCOTLAND TO YOUR BUCKET LIST” for more information on why you should visit and what there is to see and do! From dramatic landscapes to wonderful waterfalls.
WHERE TO START / THE ROUTE
The Old Man of Storr is situated in the north of the Island in the Trotternish area.
The hike begins at the car park below which is right on the main road and impossible to miss.
The entrance to the pathway is through a large gate which is beside a map. You can see this gate from the car park. For the first quarter of the route, there are 2 options of pathway to take. To the left is a longer, yet steady climb that zig-zags up the hill, and to the right is a quicker, steeper climb. Both options re-join higher up the slope. Both routes start as gravel paths and are easy to follow.
We personally prefer to take the left-hand path going upwards and the right-hand path to come down.
If you take the quickest route there and back (2.75 miles, 4.5km) the hike should take you approximately 45 minutes to an hour each way.
Once the 2 paths have joined up it’s a clear route to the top of the Storr, with some steep and uneven steps nearer the top. As you continue uphill the ‘Old Man’ is on the far right side and ahead of you are other rock formations.
Don’t forget on your walk to look behind you at the landscape. From high up, you can look out to sea to the Islands of Raasay and Rona and then beyond to the mainland on a clear day.
For the best view of The Storr, once you’ve reached the rock formation at the top, continue on the pathway along the ridge to the right. This leads to a higher level and from here you’ll see that iconic Old Man of Storr view. This view is truly one to remember!
We’d suggest bringing a big bottle of water and a flask with a hot drink. Sit down, relax and take in the breathtaking view in-front of you.
WHEN TO VISIT
Tourists
The peak season for tourism in Scotland is in the warmer summer months of June, July and August. From reading online reviews, from these months especially, the popular locations on Skye get heavily visited with crowds of people and overflowing cars from designated parking. This can diminish your experience.
We prefer to visit the Isle of Skye in winter. Every time we’ve visited this time of year we’ve felt like we’ve had the whole place to ourselves.
Read our article “8 REASONS TO VISIT SCOTLAND IN WINTER” to find out why we think Winter is the best time of year to visit Scotland.
Weather
The highest average temperature on the Isle of Skye is 16°C in July and the lowest is 7°C in January.
If you’re not a fan of rain then avoid January as this is the wettest month of the year, with May being the driest.
So, in general, the best weather is when tourism is at its peak. So decide on what you prefer; colder weather but less busy or warmer weather but more people. Either way, even on a warm day the highest point on the route can be very cold and windy. But we’ll talk about this more below.
HOW TO GET THERE
By Car: Just a 15-minute drive from the town of Portree, it’s a very easy drive and there’s plenty of parking in the main car park that sits just off of the main road, the A855.
By Bus: There is a regular bus that leaves from the town of Portree which drops you directly at the car park.
Companies like GOSKYE provide day tours (which depart from Portree) to all of the popular hot spots, including the Old Man of Storr. Head to this VisitScotland page for more details on public transport to get to the Island itself.
If possible then we’d suggest traveling by car, then you beat the buses and can go early for sunrise.
➜ Get Your Guide provide tours including transfers from nearby cities and towns
WHAT TO WEAR
This may seem like a silly subject to talk about but the amount of hikers we see that aren’t wearing practical clothing is surprising. You can definitely hike anywhere in Scotland wearing your white Nikes and jeans but it may turn into a cold and soggy experience.
Wearing practical gear completely enhances your experience and it can turn cold weather and bad conditions into an enjoyable time. And from our experience in Scotland, whatever time of year you visit, you can experience all 4 seasons in a day. Heck, you can experience all 4 seasons in about 20 minutes. Especially up the Old Man of Storr.
So don’t let the weather in the car park fool you. Because the weather when you get to the top can be and will be completely different.
A trusty pair of thermal trousers, a good pair of waterproof hiking boots, and a waterproof and windproof jacket are a must. Our favourite brands for practical clothing are Acai (they do incredible sustainable women’s outdoor clothing), Fjallraven for waterproof trekking trousers, Uniqlo for their heat tech range, and Patagonia... for basically everything they make.
RESPONSIBLE HIKING
Here are some basic tips/rules on how to hike responsibly and safely.
During this hike especially you’ll come across gates. These are designed to keep deer out of certain areas so make sure you shut the gates behind you.
Leave no trace but your footprints: this means leaving no waste, food, equipment, or general rubbish out in the landscape.
Leave places as you found them. For example, don't lift stones from the ground and place them elsewhere.
If you encounter animals leave them be, not startling or disturbing them.
If the car park is full, be considerate of where you park. Don’t block roads or make it dangerous for other cars to pass.
OTHER PLACES TO EXPLORE NEARBY
Head to our article “ISLE OF SKYE- OUR TOP 7 PLACES TO VISIT” for our suggestions of places to visit including waterfalls, hikes, and other dramatic landscapes.
Only a 15-minute drive from the Old Man of Storr is Mealt Falls. Dramatically free-falling off the 60-meter high cliff into the water below, the sheer sound of this waterfall is just as dramatic as the view it provides. The Sound of Raasay is part of a larger body of water called The Minch which connects to the Atlantic Ocean. This means Mealt Falls is one of just a small number of waterfalls in the world that falls right into the ocean, making this waterfall extra special.
20 minutes from the Storr is The Quiraing. Just like the Old Man of Storr, this location is well worth an early start to watch the sunrise. You can hike around the entire Quiraing which is about 4.5 miles. You don’t have to hike far though to get an amazing view of the dramatic topography of the island.
Further away on the Western side of the Island, but worth the drive, is Neist Point Lighthouse. One of the most iconic lighthouses in Scotland, sitting on cliffs that wind away from the mainland, providing a stunning landscape.
Where we’ve stayed
➜ Here are lots of hotel options on the Isle of Skye
If you’re relying on public transport or going on a tour then we’d suggest staying in the town of Portree as this is where the buses and tours depart from.
£: If you’re visiting Skye for a short stay and you want somewhere cheap and cheerful then try a private room from this Airbnb host. If you’re going to be out exploring all day and just need a place to rest your head then these rooms are perfect. Also, they’re situated within walking distance of all of the restaurants and shops in the town of Portree.
££: If you’re staying for more than a few days and want somewhere cosy with a fire then try this little cottage called ‘The Croft’ in Staffin.
Please comment below if you’ve been to Skye and the Old Man of Storr! We’d love to hear your suggestions of other places to visit on the Isle of Skye too!
