The Isle of Skye was hands down my favorite trip to Scotland (so far at least — and we’ve visited Scotland 3 times already!). The whole isle is full of outdoor activities, including scenic hikes, viewpoints, swimming holes, and even a few beaches. Of the many activities on the Isle of Skye, the Old Man of Storr is one of the main hikes recommended. We visited the Isle of Skye at the beginning of March and fit this hike into our 3-day itinerary on the Isle of Skye.
What is the Old Man of Storr?
The Old Man of Storr is a rock formation on the Isle of Skye, renowned for its pinnacle that towers over the Trotternish Ridge. This hike is one of Skye’s most popular. It has stunning views of the surrounding landscapes, including the Sound of Raasay and the Cuillin mountains. This iconic landmark, formed through a process of ancient volcanic activity and subsequent erosion, is part of a landscape characterized by steep cliffs and bizarre rock formations.
According to local legend, the Old Man of Storr was once a giant who lived in the Trotternish Ridge area with his wife. The couple cherished the land, and when the giant died, his grieving wife buried him. His thumb, sticking out of the ground, is said to be the famous rock formation that is Old Man of Storr today.
Hiking distance: 2.4 miles (3.8 km)
Hiking length: 1.5-2 hours
Hiking difficulty: medium-hard
My experience hiking the Old Man of Storr
The hike to the Old Man of Storr typically takes about 1.5 – 2 hours round trip. If you take no breaks at all, the hike takes only about 45 minutes, but trust that you will be taking breaks. The trail is approximately 2.4 miles (3.8 kilometers) long, with an elevation gain of about 920 feet. While this hike is much shorter than the Quiraing, I found it to be a lot more difficult mostly due to how steep it was. I was surprised at the continued steepness, especially at the beginning! To see Old Man of Storr in the flesh is worth it though, and I recommend hiking at sunrise to get the absolute best views of Old Man of Storr.
The trail to Old Man of Storr is pretty clear, and we hiked up to the Old Man of Storr viewpoint, which I highly recommend doing. You get a fantastic view of the surrounding landscape and the Old Man of Storr. We spent about 20 minutes taking photos at the viewpoint before beginning our descent back to the car park.
How to get there
Like most places in the Isle of Skye, you’ll have to drive to the Old Man of Storr. If you’re staying in Portree, the drive is about 15 minutes north of Portree. It was super easy to get there, and the car park was large compared to other parking situations on the isle. You can find the exact car park here.
Parking for Old Man of Storr costs £6 per car for up to 6 hours’ stay and £7 for up to 12 hours. You can pay via coins or card. If you’re visiting during the summer months, I recommend getting to the parking lot early to secure a parking spot. The lot has 140 spots, which is actually quite large, but given that this is the most popular hike in the Isle of Skye, it’s better to show up earlier rather than later. After your hike, be sure to visit Storr View Coffee across the street from the car park!
Helpful tips for your hike
What to wear
What you wear to hike the Quiraing largely depends on what season you are visiting the Isle of Skye during. There are some nonnegotiables, though, regardless of season.
- Hiking shoes or sneakers with solid grip — you do NOT want to do this hike in sandals. I have these hiking boots from Sorrel that I love.
- Comfortable, lightweight clothing that you can sweat in
- Layers — especially if you are hiking during the transitional months. Your hike may start off chilly, but 30 minutes into it you will start to get hot! I wore this Outdoor Voices pullover that was perfect for the chillier weather.
- Raincoat — no matter where you go in Scotland, you should prepare for some rain!
What to pack
Below I’ve listed a few things you shouldn’t forget on your hike.
- Water bottle (don’t forget to fill it) — there aren’t any water stops before, during, or after the hike. Make sure you fill your water bottle before leaving home for this hike!
- Sunscreen
- Midge spray — this is only needed for the summer months, but trust you won’t want to forget this
- Camera — if you don’t already know, the views during this hike are incredible. What a shame it would be if you forgot your camera! If you’re looking for a digital camera, I use the Sony a6000, a great beginner-friendly travel camera. You can also find this camera used for under $300, which I recommend doing.
Best times to hike Old Man of Storr
I recommend hiking Old Man of Storr to catch the sunrise. 1) You’ll most likely beat the crowds, which means you’ll be able to find parking more easily. 2) The view of the sunrise while hiking Old Man of Storr is phenomenal. We were blessed with clear skies that morning, and we were able to see the many colors of a proper Isle of Skye sunrise. The photo above is the view from the first 20 minutes of the hike, so we weren’t even at Old Man of Storr yet! However, if you wanted the ultimate view, you could time your hike so that you get to the Old Man of Storr viewpoint in time to catch the sunrise (or sunset, if you can find parking).
Should you hike the Quiraing or the Old Man of Storr?
The two most popular hikes on the Isle of Skye are Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing. Both hikes are incredible in their own right. If you can, you should make time for both in your Isle of Skye itinerary. You can read my experience hiking the Quiraing here.
If you can only do one of these hikes, I would recommend Old Man of Storr over the Quiraing. I enjoyed hiking the Quiraing more, but Old Man of Storr is so symbolic that you can’t not do it. I feel like if you do one hike on the Isle of Skye, the Old Man of Storr is a must-do for that reason alone.
[…] of Skye. If you’re looking for guides to other popular hikes on the Isle of Skye, check out my guide to Hiking the Old Man of Storr and my guide to Hiking the […]