The Storr and the Old Man of Storr

A spectacular walk to a famous summit, passing through an iconic landscape. Superb views in all directions.

Terrain

Mostly good paths, with a couple of steep rocky sections and, on the descent, boggy ground.

Public Transport

Bus number 57 - 4 times a day from Portree - get off near Storr car park.

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Start

Storr car park on the left side of the A855 heading from Portree.. Map and directions.

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Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 8km/5 miles
Time: 3 - 5 hours
Ascent: 640m (Profile)
Grid Ref: NG508528

Summits Climbed

Graham: The Storr

Maps / GPS

View / Print route map
Buy Explorer 408 - Trotternish
GPS Waypoints - QUO 2
GPS Waypoints - GPX
View in 3D
Download walk to Google Earth (KMZ file)

Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

The Storr is the craggy summit atop the grand cliffs behind the famous pinnacle of the Old Man of Storr. Its ascent escapes from the busiest paths round the Old Man and offers spectacular views. Park at the Storr car park in the forested part of the road - there are normally several cars parked here, and there is more space in the lay-by The path starts through the canopied gate by the interpretative boards.

Stage 2

The excellent path winds uphill through the woodland. This section was once a quagmire but follow a series of improvement projects can now be done with dry feet. There are occasional breaks in the trees revealing views of the Isle of Raasay offshore and Applecross on the mainland beyond. After passing a marshy point the path reaches a gate (with warning signs) - go through it to reach the open moor with spectacular cliffs ahead. The Old Man can be difficult to pick out from the cliffs behind from this point. Continue up the pitched stone footpath. Ignore a branch to the left and continue on the path heading towards the right side of the Old Man.

Stage 3

When nearly at the old man, follow a fainter (but still clear) path off right diagonally up the moor towards the end of the line of cliffs. This eventually reaches a fence with a broken stile - which is awkwardly climbed instead using boulders. The view back from this section to the Old Man and the nearer Needle rock, backed by the Storr Lochs, is a classic. Over the stile, follow the path round to the left. It forks slightly as it approaches a rocky band - the left fork gives slightly the easier way up this scrambly obstacle. (If you fancy a more adventurous route to the summit from here, double back left and follow the edge of the buttresses towards the summit, with great views down the gullies. The final rockwall below the summit is bypassed to the right, where a short easy scramble leads to a grassy gap in the cliffs near the summit. Great care is needed on this route as the cliffs are dangerously unstable) Otherwise, follow the almost level path in a wide arc around Coire Scamadal. There are views up the coast northwards towards Staffin.

Stage 4

About a kilometre on, when the grass slopes to the left have become lower and free of rocks, break off from the path up these slopes to reach the escarpment ridge. Turn left along this ridge, climbing gently to reach the summit of The Storr, marked by a trig point. The views are superb. The Trotternish Ridge stretches away to the north, backed by the hills on the Isle of Harris. East are the islands of Raasay and Rona, with a spectacular array of mainland peaks beyond. To the south are the jagged Cuillin mountains and much of the rest of Skye, whilst west the flat-topped Macleod's Tables are the most prominent landmarks.

Stage 5

Follow the edge of the great cliffs (keeping a safe distance) - slightly south of west at first before turning south east after passing the head of a wide, steep scree gully. Ignore this gully and continue along the escarpment downhill. There are soon excellent views across the strange landscape of the Storr Sanctuary and the Old Man below. The escarpment then turns again to the right. Continue WSW along it (becoming less distinct) until reaching a gully where a stream descends the cliffs (make sure it is the gully with the stream as other routes may lead into difficulties). The way down the cliffs is on the near side of this stream - it is steep and stony but has no difficult obstacles.

Stage 6

Once below the cliffs, continue descending southeast, keeping fairly near the edge of the forest for most of the lower section. When the road can clearly be seen head slightly to the right to aim for a small parking area behind a gate which leads to the main road. Note that there is no longer a stile on the fence at the edge of the forest. Head north by turning left along the road for 500m to reach the car park.

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Route Profile

Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is each walkers' responsibility to check it and navigate using a map and compass.