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. And one of the most popular things to do is to hike the Old Man of Storr.

The Old Man of Storr is one of the most beautiful hikes on the Isle of Skye, offering stunning 360-degree views. It was at the top of my bucket list when we visited Scotland, and it did not disappoint. We fell in love with hiking the Old Man of Storr, so I know you will enjoy the hike!

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. The up-close views of the Old Man of Storr are stunning, and the views of the surrounding landscapes will take your breath away.

If you want to add the hike to your itinerary, you are in the right place! I created this guide to have everything you need to know about the Old Man of Storr hike.

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How to Get to the Old Man of Storr

Luckily, there are a few ways you can get to the Old Man of Storr trailhead. You can drive yourself, take the bus, or join a tour. I will dive into each so you can get a better idea of what works best for your trip!

By Car

The Old Man of Storr hike parking lot is off the 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, and I recommend arriving first thing in the morning.

We 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. Trust me, having a quieter trail is so nice!

By Bus

If you do not have a car, you can take a bus from Portree to the trailhead. Stagecoach 57A travels between Portree and Flodigarry, and one of its stops is the Old Man of Storr trailhead.

It also stops at Lealt Falls, Brothers Point, and Mealt Falls. The bus is a great way to see a few of the must-see attractions on the eastern side of the Isle of Skye if you do not have a car.

Since many people take the bus to the Old Man of Storr, I recommend catching an early bus. Trust me, it is really nice to enjoy the hike with fewer crowds!

By Tour

You can also go on a tour around the Isle of Skye. Most tours include the Old Man of Storr Hike, but I still recommend reviewing each itinerary to ensure you book the correct one.

Old Man of Storr Hike Overview

The Old Man of Storr hike is one of the most iconic hikes in Scotland, and it quickly became one of our favorites!

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.

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

Old Man of Storr Hiking Stats

Length: 3.4 miles (5.5 km) round trip
Elevation gain: 1,200 feet (366 meters)
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Best time to hike: Summer and Fall
Facilities: The parking lot has restrooms.
Food: You can purchase coffee, tea, snacks, and baked goods at Storr View Coffee (open seasonally).

Old Man of Storr Trail Map

What You Should Pack for the Hike

Scotland is known for its rainy and moody days, and the Highlands are no different. The weather is unpredictable, making it crucial to pack the appropriate gear.

The Isle of Skye has moody weather, 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.

We visited in May because it is usually dry and has fewer crowds, and it only rained one day during our week in Scotland. But the weather still changed quickly, so we were glad we had warm layers and a rain jacket packed!

You should have hiking boots, moisture-wicking clothes, a rain jacket, and a hiking backpack with food and plenty of water.

How to Hike the Old Man of Storr Loop

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

I created this guide to go over step by step what to expect when you hike the Old Man of Storr Loop.

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

Old Man of Storr Trailhead to the Trail Junction

The trailhead to the Old Man of Storr is along the A855, about seven miles north of Portree. From the parking lot, you will follow the trail through a gate to begin the hike.

Soon after 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, but you can go either way since they both lead to the same spot.

Once you begin the ascent 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!

Soon enough, you will receive 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. Since the final viewpoint has the best views, I recommend turning left at the trail junction to hike to the Old Man of Storr first.

The Trail Junction to the Old Man of STorr

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 the surrounding rock formations.

I recommend hiking to all the viewpoints in this area because they are worth it! We spent quite a bit of time exploring this area near the Old Man of Storr.

the Old Man of Storr to Storr Lookout Point

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, 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!

Storr Lookout Point to the Trailhead

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.

At the trail junction, you will stay to the left to continue on the other side of the Old Man of Storr to get more up-close and personal views. We loved this section because the rock formations were stunning, and it was fun to see the Old Man of Storr up close!

After that, 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.

You will then arrive at another junction, and you can hike it in either direction because both loop 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.

Longer Trails Near the Old Man of Storr

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.

Old Man of Storr Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Old Man of Storr hike worth it?

The Old Man of Storr hike is absolutely worth it! It is one of the most popular hikes on the Isle of Skye because the views are breathtaking.

Although you can see the Old Man of Storr from the road, the best way to experience it is by hiking. Trust me, the views of the surrounding rock formations, ocean, and mountains are worth the effort!

How difficult is the Old Man of Storr hike?

The Old Man of Storr hike is moderately difficult. The trail is 3.4 miles (5.5 km) round trip with 1,200 feet (366 meters) of elevation gain.

The trail gradually gains elevation with only a few steep sections. It is also well-maintained with stairs to help on the steeper sections.

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

The average time to hike the Old Man of Storr is about 2 hours. It took us just under 2 hours, including stopping at every viewpoint for photos.

What is the best time to hike 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 Skye is rainy, 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 when we visited in May, it only rained once during our week in Scotland. We had beautiful weather for the two days we were on the Isle of Skye, allowing us to enjoy the Old Man of Storr hike without rain!

If you want to add the Old Man of Storr to your Isle of Skye itinerary, you are in the right place! I created this guide to have everything you need to know about hiking to the Old Man of Storr.