Old Man of Storr Walk Guide: Isle of Skye, Scotland

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Visiting the Isle of Skye and want to do the Old Man of Storr walk? You’re in the right place! I’m here to explain all the ins and outs of the Old Man of Storr walk.

If you’re following my 7 day Scotland road trip, you’ll come across one of the most famous walks on the Isle of Skye, the iconic Old Man of Storr.

It’s a natural phenomenon visible from the nearby roads, and one that draws in hundreds of tourists every year.

It’s a bit of a hike, but wow, the views are so worth it at the end!

Protruding on the mountain top, the best views from the Old Man of Storr include a steep walk up a hill (but don’t worry, I’ll explain all of this in time).

Our first time at the top of the Old Man of Storr was incredible – we couldn’t believe the views. We even took a picnic to enjoy it on the side of the mountain to really soak it all in.

So, in this post, I explain exactly how to get to the Old Man of Storr, what to look out for, why and when to visit, and just how hard (or easy) the Old Man of Storr actually is. Let’s begin!

🗺️ When we were travelling Scotland, we used Take The Slow Road by Martin Dorey to help us decide on our next destination. If you’re looking for more recommendations of Scottish wonders, I also recommend this Scotland guide.

Old Man of Storr Walk

Visiting Scotland? Check out my other guides here!

• Isle of Skye Guide: Best Things to do on Isle of Skye, Scotland
• Where to Find Highland Cows in Scotland: Highland Cattle
• 7 Day Scotland Road Trip Route & Itinerary (2022)
• 13 BEST Things to do in Aviemore (+ Travel Guide!)

If you’re still booking flights, I recommend checking lastminute.com for the latest deals. Recently, we were able to save £50 on our flights just by booking through Last Minute!

What is the Old Man of Storr?

The Old Man of Storr was created by a gigantic ancient landslide, which has made it one of the most photographed locations in the world.

It is a large rock on the Trotternish Ridge, reaching 719m high. If you’re travelling from Portree, it is around a 10-minute drive and 7 miles from the Isle of Skye’s capital.

The crazy geological features of the Old Man of Storr have formed thousands of years ago, due to a landslide.

Over time, the rock features were shaped and worn down by weather and harsh conditions, leaving the protruding man’s face we see today.

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Why is it called the Old Man of Storr?

You might recognise it in the pictures on TV or travel guides.

Named after the legend of a giant who resided in the mountains, the title Storr is derived from the Norse word for ‘Great Man’, and if you look closely, the rock outlines resemble the face of an old man.

If you’re one to believe in legendary tales, it is believed the giant who lived in the Trotternish Ridge was buried with only his thumb protruding from the ground, creating the landscape we know today as the Old Man of Storr.

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What to Pack for the Old Man of Storr Walk

The Old Man of Storr walk is relatively easy, and will only take a couple of hours to complete.

However, it is a mountain top, so here are my suggestions.

• You don’t necessarily need hiking boots, but I wore mine on the walk. It made the walk a lot easier and I was much more stable, plus they helped me with other walks around the island. You can buy my favourites here.

• Make sure you pack water in an insulated water bottle. I use this Chilly one, which keeps my water freezing cold for over 24 hours! There aren’t any shops near the Old Man of Storr, so it’s really important to be prepared.

• A portable power bank. Don’t get caught short and lose your phone battery whilst hiking! If you’re solo travelling, you’re going to rely on it to get you from A to B.

• Well, it’s a little more advanced, but if you want to take high-quality photos, make sure you invest in a good camera. This doesn’t have to be thousands of pounds, and our favourite is the Canon EOS 6D Mark II.

• I use my Insta Mini 11 to take photos on all of my trips. As they print instantly, they’re perfect for making a scrapbook and writing in all your favourite and funniest memories. I’ve even got my boyfriend joining in on it now too!

• If you’re going to be doing the Old Man of Storr walk in the rain, I’d recommend getting a Syncwire Waterproof Case. I’ve had mine for a few years and I’m able to swim underwater, take photos and videos and keep my belongings safe when I’m in the water or rain!

Is the Old Man of Storr walk easy?

The Old Man of Storr walk starts in the car park. Access the car park via the main road from Portree to Staffin.

The Old Man of Storr walk is accessible all year round, but you may not want to do it in icy or slippery conditions, as it still has some fairly steep areas. 

As you begin the Old Man of Storr walk, bear left as you ascend. This is a much easier walk than bearing right (you’ll descend this way) as it is way less steep and has flatter twists and turns. 

The beginning of the Old Man of Storr walk is over loose gravel and rock.

There are no dangerous paths or sheer drops. 

You will continue to climb around grassy terrains, pebbles and a number of stopping points. 

It is a fairly strenuous climb but anyone with average fitness can complete it.

I would allow at least 2 hours to ensure you can stop for lots of photos and soak in the views. 

When you’re on the final climb, you will be met by a few hundred steps leading up to the Old Man of Storr. These are easy to climb, but they can get muddy and slippery from the rain. 

As you begin your descent on the Old Man of Storr walk, take the opposite path to which you ascended (if you went up left, come back down left).

It’s a steeper route but will take you way less time and get you back to the ground in 30 minutes. 

How long does the Old Man of Storr walk take?

This really depends on how fast you’d like to walk and how long you want to spend doing it.

For us, it took around 50 minutes to reach the top, and 40 minutes to walk back down.

We could have done this much slower, taking photos and stopping for breaks en route.

If you choose to do the circular walk without stopping, you can complete it in 2 hours.

I’d advise doing the same as us – take a picnic for when you have a rest break at the top!

🌎 Travelling for the first time? You’re in the right place! Check out my essential travel kit for EVERY type of trip, big or small!

Can I do the Old Man of Storr walk if I am afraid of heights?

Yes. There are no sheer drops or edges, and it is a suitable walk for anyone afraid of heights.

As someone who has always suffered from acrophobia, this is something I google every time I’m about to do a hike. It’s a huge hindrance for me and my travels!

However, the Old Man of Storr was isn’t scary at all.

There are no edges or drops, and it’s a safe path the entire way up. The only bit I said no to was the steep rocks right at the top, but you can get some amazing views before then anyway!

🗺️ My Scotland must-have: Well, it’s a little more advanced, but if you want to take high-quality photos, make sure you invest in a good camera. This doesn’t have to be thousands of pounds, and our favourite is the Canon EOS 6D Mark II.

Old Man of Storr Parking & Toilets

If you’re driving to the Old Man of Storr, there’s a large car park at the bottom of the hill. It has plenty of parking and will cost around £3 for the day.

If you have a campervan, you may need to park along the road, as the car park has a 2m height barrier. However, there’s enough parking and you shouldn’t struggle to get a space.

If you need to use the toilet whilst on the walk, the are toilets at the foot of the hill. They charge around 50p to use, but it’s good to know they’re there!

🗺️ My Scotland must-have: Don’t forget an additional memory card and hard drive for saving your photos on the road!

Old Man of Storr Walk: The Details

As the Old Man of Storr is one of the most photographed locations on the island, it gets busy!

We shared our Old Man of Storr walk with hundreds of other tourists. If we did it again, we’d have arrived early in the morning. 

The walk is 3.8km in total, and you will gain an elevation of just over 300m.

Due to the rocky terrain, the Old Man of Storr walk would not be suitable for wheelchair users, buggies, or low-mobility walkers. 

There are several stopping points along the ascent.

Some people only choose to ascend a quarter or half the way, and to be honest, they all give a pretty good view.

You can choose how high you wish to climb on the Old Man of Storr walk, but of course, the higher you go, the more scrambling you’ll have to do. 

The main stopping point is just underneath the Old Man rock. There are lots of grassy patches for you to sit and eat lunch on, and get those well-deserved photos. 

If you fancy going a bit higher, you can scramble over some slippery (and I repeat, slippery!) rocks to a higher peak.

I don’t think it’s necessary to go any higher, but Tom had a bit of an extra climb and said it was fun. It’s up to you!

Are drones allowed on the Old Man of Storr walk?

Drones are allowed on the Old Man of Storr walk. However, we saw quite a few tourists getting annoyed by the buzzing of the propellers.

If you’re using a drone, just be respectful and try not to fly it around others or over people’s heads. 

Need a drone? We’ve used this one for years and LOVE it!

Old Man of Storr: FAQs

How long does it take to climb the Old Man of Storr?

On average, around 1 hour and 15 minutes (with no stops).

The walk is an uphill climb and uses the same path both up and down (with small differences).

I would recommend planning for around 2 hours to stop for rests, snacks and views. 

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How hard is it to climb the Old Man of Storr?

Anyone with average fitness can climb the Old Man of Storr.

It is a constant uphill climb, but there are many resting points for breaks. It is a slow and steady slog to the top. 

Can you climb the Old Man of Storr? 

The actual Old Man of Storr itself (the protruding rock) can only be climbed with the right equipment.

There are no laws prohibiting this, but it’s a busy area! I would assume climbers would want to find quieter spots!

Can you see the Old Man of Storr from the road?

Yes, but not from the car park due to its angle.

The Old Man of Storr can be viewed from ground level in a few different locations. 

🗺️ My world travel must-have: Whilst out during the day, I use a tote bag to hold my belongings like my camera, notebook, purse and Microfibre towel. It’s easier to pack away than a big beach bag, and can be neatly tucked away when you don’t need it!

Other Sights to see on the Isle of Skye

If you’re visiting Scotland on a road trip, or just on holiday to the Isle of Skye, make sure you check out some of the other epic things to do!

From the fairy pools to Kilt rock, to spotting highland cows and eating fresh fish in Portree, the Isle of Skye has a lot to offer.

I’ve written a guide with the best things to do on the Isle of Skye, which you can check out here!

Old Man of Storr Walk: In a Nutshell

So, there you have it!

All the details about this wonderful walk on the Isle of Skye, and now you should be prepared and ready to go!

As always, if you have a question about the Old Man of Storr walk, let me know on Instagram or in the comments below.

Happy travelling!

Jennie 😀 x

CHECK OUT MY OTHER SCOTLAND POSTS!

I planned an EPIC 7 day route around Scotland, you can read it here!

• Where to Find Highland Cows in Scotland: Highland Cattle
• Isle of Skye Guide: Best Things to do on Isle of Skye, Scotland
• 13 BEST Things to do in Aviemore (+ Travel Guide!)
• Fairy Pools Skye Walk: Everything You Need to Know (2022)

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