The Old Man of Storr – Up to the Pinnacles
About 2.4 miles on foot.
The Old Man of Storr is the tall basalt pinnacle on the ridge above the road from Portree to Staffin, and the path up to it is one of the most popular walks on Skye.
It's a steep climb of about two hours there and back, with Loch Leathan and the Sound of Raasay opening out below you as you go. It suits anyone fit, in good boots, on a clear morning.
- Time
- About two hours there and back; an hour and a half for a fit walker, longer with time among the pinnacles.
- The path
- The car park, the toilets and the view of the Old Man on the skyline are on the level. The path up is steep throughout, hard gravel and rough stone steps, rougher near the top.
- Where to start
- Highland Council pay and display car park on the A855: £6 up to 6 hours, £8 up to 12, charged 8am to 8pm every day; cash, card or the Ringo app. About 140 spaces; it cannot be booked. Never on the peat verges: if it is full, come back later.
- Set off
- Early in the day or after mid-afternoon in season, when the car park is quieter; from November to February on the path by 1pm.
- When to go
- All year in daylight and dry, clear weather; about two hours there and back.
- Dogs
- On a lead the whole way: sheep roam free up to the rocks. The main path goes through gates, with no stiles. Carry water for the dog.
- Children
- Steep and exposed; keep away from the ground right under the cliffs and the Old Man, which is unstable.
- Before you set out
- Free toilets with baby changing and a RADAR-key accessible toilet at the car park. In summer a kiosk across the road sells takeaway drinks and snacks; in winter tea and coffee are sold inside the Storr Centre. The top of the path is muddy after rain, rocks can fall near the cliffs, and after a frost the upper path turns icy.
The walk
The walk starts at the Highland Council car park on the A855, about seven miles north of Portree. It's pay and display from 8am to 8pm every day, £6 for up to six hours, by cash, card or the Ringo app, and it holds about 140 cars. Never park on the soft peat verges: if it's full, come back later. There are free toilets with baby changing by the car park, and in winter tea and coffee are sold inside the Storr Centre; in summer a kiosk across the road sells takeaway drinks and snacks.
The path climbs steeply on hard gravel and rough stone steps to the foot of the Old Man, a 55-metre basalt pinnacle, a little under 4 km there and back. The Storr's own guide says to allow at least two hours, though a fit walker does it in an hour and a half. The top of the path is muddy after rain and rocks can fall near the cliffs, so keep to the path, and mist can come down fast. Wear boots and carry waterproofs and water.
Dogs stay on a lead the whole way, for the sheep. From November to February start up by 1pm to be down before dark, and after a frost the upper path turns icy.
If it rains
Leave the climb for a dry, clear spell: after rain the top of the path is muddy and slippery, and in mist the pinnacles disappear. On a wet morning the Old Man is often seen best from the car park, between showers.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
For further reading, before you go.