Old Man of Storr Hike on the Isle of Skye: Everything You Need to Know

It is no secret that the Isle of Skye is one of the most beautiful areas in Scotland. With its lush green landscape, rocky coastline, lighthouses, waterfalls, and castles, it is easy to see why the Isle of Skye is on every bucket list.

The Old Man of Storr is one of the most beautiful hikes on the Isle of Skye, offering stunning views. It was at the top of my bucket list when I visited Scotland, and it did not disappoint. I fell in love with hiking the Old Man of Storr, so I know you will love it!

Although you can see the Old Man of Storr from the parking lot and roadside viewpoints, the best way to experience it is by hiking. If you want to add the hike to your itinerary, you are in the right place! This guide has everything you need to know about the Old Man of Storr hike.

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Old Man of Storr Hike Overview

Old Man of Storr Hike Length and Difficulty

The Old Man of Storr hike is 3.4 miles round trip with about 1,100 feet of elevation gain. The elevation gain is consistent with minimal flat sections, but the trail is not overly steep. The trail is also well-maintained, making it easy to follow and hike.

The entire trail offers beautiful views, with the best being near the Old Man of Storr and at the end viewpoint overlooking the area. I recommend hiking to both to experience everything the Old Man of Storr hike offers!

Old Man of Storr Hike Parking

The Old Man of Storr hike parking lot is off A855 about seven miles north of Portree. Although the parking lot is one of the bigger parking areas on the Isle of Skye, it fills up quickly because it is a popular hike. I recommend hiking to the Old Man of Storr first thing in the morning.

I arrived at the trailhead around 9 AM and easily found a spot. But when we were done the hike around 11 AM, the parking lot was full, and the traffic getting into the area was pretty bad. Getting to the trailhead early allows you to easily find a parking spot and enjoy the hike with fewer crowds.

Best Time to Hike to the Old Man of Storr

Although you can hike to the Old Man of Storr year-round, I recommend enjoying it in the warmer months. The Isle of the Skye is known to be wet, with about 265 days a year of rain, and the wettest seasons tend to be autumn and winter.

April, May, and June tend to be the driest months, and we visited in May because it is usually dry and has fewer crowds. It only rained one day during our week in Scotland, and we had beautiful sunny weather for the two days we were on the Isle of Skye, allowing us to enjoy the Old Man of Storr hike without rain!

What to Pack for the Hike

Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!

Old Man of Storr Hike Guide

**Always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in and throw away your trash properly.

The Old Man of Storr hike is one of the most popular hikes on the Isle of Skye, for good reason! The views are absolutely stunning overlooking the surrounding mountains and ocean. I quickly fell in love with the hike because its views are unmatched!

The trailhead to the Old Man of Storr is along A855 about seven miles north of Portree. From the parking lot, the trail goes through a gate before quickly beginning to gain elevation. As soon as you pass the gate, the trail comes to a junction. I recommend continuing right to take the shortest trail to the Old Man of Storr.

Once you begin the ascend to the Old Man of Storr, you get stunning views of the towering mountains in the distance. The views help distract you from the elevation gain, which is nice!

The trail continues to climb gradually until it reaches another trail junction. The trail to the right leads to the final viewpoint, Storr Lookout Point, and the left travels to the Old Man of Storr. I went to the final viewpoint first, but since that has the best views, I recommend turning left at the trail junction.

This section of the trail is the steepest, gaining almost 500 feet in about 0.3 miles. But once you are at the top, you get an up-close and personal view of the Old Man of Storr and surrounding rock formations. I recommend hiking to all the viewpoints in this area because they are worth it! I spent quite a bit of time exploring this area near the Old Man of Storr.

Once you enjoy the views, you can continue along the trail around the Old Man of Storr to the main trail. The final stretch of the trail towards the Storr Lookout Point offers beautiful views overlooking the ocean.

Once you reach the final viewpoint along the Old Man of Storr hike, you will see why I think it has the best views! The Storr Lookout Point has 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains and a stunning view of the Old Man of Storr. It quickly became my favorite spot along the trail, so I know you will love it!

Once you are finished enjoying the views and eating a quick snack, you will follow the trail back the way you came towards the Old Man of Storr. Once at the trail junction, you stay to the left to continue on the other side of the Old Man of Storr to get more up-close and personal views.

The descent flew by for me because the ocean views were distracting me. They are stunning, so make sure to stop and enjoy them at the few viewpoints along the descent.

The trail comes to another junction, and you can hike it in either direction because it loops back near the gate at the trailhead. Since the trail to the right is a bit longer, I stayed to the left to continue the descent to the parking lot.

Once you hike to the Old Man of Storr, you will quickly see why it is one of the most beautiful trails on the Isle of Skye! The views will take your breath away.

If you want to make the Old Man of Storr Hike longer:

The Storr Loop - 4.7 miles round trip: If you want to make the Old Man of Storr hike longer, you can continue to the Storr and make it a big loop.
Old Man of Storr, Needle, and the Storr Loop - 5.3 miles round trip: If you want a longer hike, you can extend the above loop by a half mile.

If you want to add the Old Man of Storr hike to your Isle of Skye itinerary, you are in the right place! This guide has everything you need to know about the Old Man of Storr hike.