The Storr - ascent

Summary

Whilst the Old Man of Storr is justly famous and celebrated, only a tiny proportion of those visiting it choose to make the ascent to the dramatic summit above it. This spectacular walk leads through the iconic landscape of the Sanctuary before heading on up to the summit, giving superb views in all directions.

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Grade

Bog Factor

4.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Mostly on hillwalking paths, with a couple of steep rocky/scrambly sections; boggy moorland with pathless stretches to finish.

Getting there

Start

Storr car park on the left side of the A855 heading from Portree towards Staffin.

Public Transport

Bus from Portree - get off near Storr car park.

Start Grid Ref

NG508528

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 8km / 5 miles
Time: 3.5 - 4.5 hours
Ascent: 640m (Profile)

Summits Climbed

Fiona: The Storr

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Explorer 408 - Trotternish

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Walk Description

User reports (22)

Stage 1

The Storr is the craggy summit atop the grand cliffs behind the famous pinnacle of the Old Man of Storr. Making the ascent takes you up above the initial busy paths round the Old Man of Storr and offers spectacular views. Park at the Storr car park (parking charge); there are toilets, shop and seasonal coffee kiosk. The path starts through the gate at the top of the car park.

Photo shows the Storr and Old Man from the Storr lochs

Stage 2

The wide path winds uphill through an area intended to regenerate with native woodland. Keep ahead/slightly right when the path forks although it doesn't really matter as both join up later. There are views of the Isle of Raasay offshore and Applecross on the mainland beyond. The path passes through two gates to eventually reach the open moor with the spectacular cliffs of the Storr up ahead.

Stage 3

The Old Man can be difficult to pick out from the cliffs behind from this point. Continue up the main footpath, ignoring a smaller path off left and climbing ever upwards towards the right side of the Old Man. Continue up between the Old Man (on your left) and the Cathedral Rock (on your right), then turn right onto a path that passes above the Cathedral Rock, which is pierced by a couple of 'window' holes.

Stage 4

This eventually reaches a fence with a stile in a dip. The view back from here to the Old Man and the Cathedral rock, backed by the Storr Lochs, is a classic, seen even better by detouring to the right as you approach to view it from the top of a small crag popular with sunrise photographers.

Stage 5

Once over the stile, follow the path round to the left. It forks as it approaches a rocky band - the left fork gives slightly the easier way up this scrambly obstacle. Above this the going is much easier; follow the almost level path in a wide arc around Coire Scamadal. There are views up the coast northwards towards Staffin. About a kilometre on, when the grass slopes to the left have become lower and free of rocks, a small cairn marks a spot to turn sharp left up the grass to gain the broad north ridge of the Storr.

Stage 6

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 7

Follow the edge of the great cliffs (keeping a safe distance); it's necessary to pass around the rim of a wide, very steep scree gully at first. Beyond the gully continue along the escarpment, which heads gently 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.

Stage 8

Continue WSW along it (becoming less distinct) until reaching a gully where a burn descends the cliffs; make sure it is the gully with the burn as any other routes may lead into difficulties. There's a well-worn but very rough path.

Stage 9

The way down the cliffs is on the near side of this stream - it is steep and stony but has no difficult obstacles. Once below the cliffs, continue descending SE, keeping fairly near the edge of the felled forest for most of the lower section. When the road can clearly be seen ahead 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 felled forest so don't take the old route to your left to reach the road. Once at the road, cross and head north by turning left to follow a verge path for 500m to reach the Storr car park.

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