Old Man of Storr Walk Guide: Isle of Skye, Scotland (2023)

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Visiting the Isle of Skye and want to do the Old Man of Storr walk? If you’re following my 7-day Scotland road trip, you may want to do one of the most famous walks on the Isle of Skye, the iconic Old Man of Storr.

Situated on the mountain top, the Old Man of Storr walk includes a short steep incline to see the best views of the island. It is just a short drive from the town of Portree and can be done as a half-day activity whilst exploring the Isle of Skye. It can even be tied in with a trip to the magical fairy pools!

In the following post, I explain everything you might need to know about the iconic Old Man of Storr walk in Scotland. If you’re worried about the walk, how to get there, or whether or not it’s for you, keep reading!

Other Scotland posts:

• Where to Find Highland Cows in Scotland Highland Cattle
• 7 Day Scotland Road Trip Route & Itinerary
• Fairy Pools Skye Walk: Everything You Need to Know
• 13 BEST Things to do in Aviemore

Old Man of Storr: A Summary

The Old Man of Storr was created by a gigantic ancient landslide. It is now one of the most photographed locations in the world and in the UK. 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 (7 miles) from the Isle of Skye’s capital.

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

You might recognise the ‘old man’ rock from photos or travel guides. It was named after the legend of a giant who resided in the mountains and the title Storr is derived from the Norse word for ‘Great Man’. 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.

Where to stay on the Isle of Skye

If you’re looking to stay on the Isle of Skye, I recommend the following accommodations:

🛏️ For budget backpackers, the best hostel on the Isle of Skye for solo and budget travellers is The Cowshed. If you’re a solo traveller on the Isle of Skye, this is the perfect place to stay to meet other backpackers and be right in the centre of the action.

🌳 Best Airbnb on the Isle of Skye: Knock View Apartments. If you’re a couple or group looking for somewhere to stay on the Isle of Skye, this apartment is perfect.

🏨 Best Hotel on the Isle of Skye: Duisdale House Hotel. If you’d rather stay in a hotel, I’d recommend this one on the Isle of Skye for great prices.

Getting around the Isle of Skye

If you can, take a car to get around the Isle of Skye. You don’t want to be spending hours waiting for public transport, and to be honest, public transport on the island isn’t reliable.

In addition to this, buses don’t run frequently (they’re usually over an hour apart) and are known to drop you off in the middle of nowhere – and nowhere near where you’re trying to get to!

Don’t have a car? We rent our cars in the UK from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! ➡ LOOK AT CAR HIRE PRICES IN THE UK NOW!

How to get to the Old Man of Storr walk on the Isle of Skye

🚗 HOW TO GET TO THE OLD MAN OF STORR WALK BY CAR

If you are driving to the Old Man of Storr, it is under a 10-minute journey from Portree. In Google Maps, you can enter the term ‘Old Man of Storr’ or ‘Trotternish Loop’, and be directed to the car park on the A855.

➡ Need to hire a car for your Scotland trip? Check out this company. We’ve hired cars from them all over the world – they’re cheap, reliable and have great customer service!

🚌 HOW TO GET TO THE OLD MAN OF STORR WALK BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Take the 57 bus from the town of Portree, on the Isle of Skye. This will take you to the starting point of the Old Man of Storr walk, and shouldn’t take longer than 15 minutes. It’s a circular looping bus, so be sure to check with the driver that you are going the right way when boarding.

Old Man of Storr opening times and prices

The Old Man of Storr is free to visit, minus parking. It is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. Just be careful if you are hiking in winter, as the terrain can become muddy and slippery.

Parking at the Old Man of Storr

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.

If you need to use the toilet, there are bathrooms at the foot of the hill. It costs around 50p to use them.

Best time to visit the Old Man of Storr on the Isle of Skye

The Old Man of Storr walk is a 365-day-year-round holiday destination, and knowing when to visit depends on your personal preferences.

☀️ If you want sunshine and blue skies, visit during the summer months of June-August. It can get crowded and busy during the summer peak time, so make sure you pre-book any accommodation.

❄️ If you’d like to experience the Old Man of Storr walk whilst it has moody weather and clouds, head there in the colder months, like November and January. You’re also likely to see snow at this time in Scotland.

🌸 Spring in Scotland usually begins in late March and is until May. Temperatures are beginning to rise and there is less rain than in the winter months. Pink blossom trees are blooming and the fields are coated in daffodils. 

🍂 Autumn temperatures in Scotland fall between September-early November. If you’re looking for those aesthetic autumnal colours, your best bet is to do the Old Man of Storr walk in autumn.

Old Man of Storr Walk: Route Description

The ascent to the Old Man of Storr

The walk is 3.8km in total, and you will gain an elevation of just over 300m, with a total height being just over 700m. Due to the rocky terrain, the Old Man of Storr walk would not be suitable for wheelchair users, buggies, or low-mobility walkers. 

The Old Man of Storr walk starts in the car park, which can be accessed via the main road from Portree to Staffin. It 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 has less of an incline and has flatter twists and turns. There are several viewing points as you ascend to the summit.

The beginning of the Old Man of Storr walk is over loose gravel and rock. There are no edges 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. If you can, allow at least 2 hours to ensure you can stop for photos and soak in the views. 

The summit and descent of the Old Man of Storr

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

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 viewpoint is just underneath the Old Man of Storr rock (this is where I stopped to admire the views). There are lots of grassy patches for you to sit and eat lunch on, and take some well-deserved photos. 

If you want to go 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!

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?

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 – taking a picnic for when you have a rest break at the summit!

For us, the Old Man of Storr 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.

Related posts: Tips for walking in the British countryside

What to Pack for the Old Man of Storr Walk

The Old Man of Storr is a relatively easy walk, so you don’t have to worry too much about packing anything in particular. However, if you’re likely to walk off the track and explore more of the area, I would recommend:

• A lightweight waterproof jacket
• Hiking boots (that won’t slip) – these are my favourites for any kind of weather
• An umbrella
• A waterproof day bag
• A waterproof phone case (which can also be used for wild swimming when it’s sunnier)
• A portable charger
• Lots of layers
• A GoPro for waterproof camera footage
• A waterproof backpack cover
• A chilly bottle to keep your water at a drinkable temperature
• A Dry Robe, as it helps to keep you warm when entering and leaving the water (even if it’s raining!)
• As well as using bug spray, we have midge repellent wristbands.

Related posts: Complete British countryside packing list

Old Man of Storr: FAQs

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

Around 1 hour and 15 minutes – with no stops. The walk is an uphill climb and uses the same path both up and down. I recommend planning for around 2 hours to stop for rests, snacks and views. 

2) 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 over people’s heads. 

Need a drone? We use this one and love it. It takes high-quality photos and videos, which we enjoy sharing on our social media channels!

3) 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(ish) and steady hike to the top. 

4) 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.

5) 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. 

6) 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. There is a safe path for the duration of the walk. The only part of the walk you may say no to is right at the top, as there are some steep and vertical rocks, but you can still get some amazing views right before this!

7) Can you see the Old Man of Storr without hiking?

Yes, but again, not from the car park. On a clear day, you can see the Old Man of Storr from locations like Portree and Loch Fada.

8) Do you need a car on the Isle of Skye?

If you can, take a car to get around the Isle of Skye. You don’t want to be spending hours waiting for public transport, and it isn’t that reliable.

Don’t have a car? We rent our cars in the UK from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! ➡ LOOK AT CAR HIRE PRICES IN THE UK NOW!

9) Do I need a SIM card to visit Scotland? 

If you’re not from the UK, it’s worth downloading an eSIM on your phone to ensure you can use it for directions and avoid roaming charges as soon as you arrive. 

ESIMs are easy to download and ready to use within a few minutes of purchasing! Plus, there are eSIMs available for the entire continent of Europe, so there’s no longer a need to hunt down free Wifi! ➡ You can check out the prices and packages for eSIMs here!

Old Man of Storr Walk: In a Nutshell

So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about the Old Man of Storr on the Isle of Skye. When you’re planning a trip to Scotland, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!

If you haven’t seen my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m currently travelling around the world with my boyfriend (read more here!), creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!

Keep an eye out for more Scotland content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!

As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!

Happy travelling 🙂

Jennie x

Other Scotland posts:

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

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