Needle Rock, The Storr and The Old Man of Storr Circular Walk

Route Description for Needle Rock, The Storr and The Old Man of Storr Circular Walk

Get ready for an epic adventure when you tackle the moderately challenging Needle Rock, The Storr and The Old Man of Storr Circular Walk! The kilometres and elevation gain along this circular route in the Highlands may not seem super intense but beware of some steep and rocky sections along the way. It’s common for walkers to park at the trailhead and explore the area without following a GPS. Still, if you want to ensure you thoroughly enjoy every natural attraction along this walk, we recommend downloading the GPS before you go. Come prepared with layers of clothes to protect your skin from potentially intense winds. We suggest avoiding this adventure during super wet months due to loosening rocks; rockfalls may also happen after heavy rain!

Whenever you finally get the chance to complete this walk, you’ll never, ever forget it. Tackling the Needle Rock, The Storr and The Old Man of Storr Circular Walk mirrors stepping into a magical closet that opens up to a whole new world. Feel time stand still as you explore Old Man of Storr and Needle Rock, with a seascape painting the backdrop.

Setting out from the car park, you’ll go right and keep right at the junction to follow a wide path climbing towards a great unveiling of the Isle of Raasay and Applecross. Take a moment to snap some photos before continuing through two gates to reach moorland. Catch your first glimpse of the cliffs of Storr, attracting all eyes to the backdrop. Then, continue walking closer to look at Old Man up close!

When the elevation starts to rise, look for a path heading left. Take this path, which veers right to go to the left of Old Man. Some people opt to climb Old Man, but we say it’s best to leave this for the experts. Continue walking behind the Old Man. If it just rained, this section may be slippery. There’s also the danger of rockfalls! Descend behind Old Man, still looking out for fallen rocks sprinkled along the trail. From here, you’ll see Needle Rock standing tall in the not-so-far distance. Another nickname for Needle Rock? The Cathedral. When you’re close, you’ll notice a window near the top. En route, you’ll pass a lot of different paths—but don’t worry, all will eventually take you back to your car. However, try to stick to the GPS if you want to capture everything.

This route takes you the long way around, eventually connecting with the A855. Take care as you walk near the road back toward your car!

Old Man of Storr

The Old Man of Storr is an attractive natural wonder formed by a landslide sometime long ago. It’s safe to say that this landslide didn’t ruin anything, though! As a result, we now have magical, supernatural rock formations to admire. Fun fact: an old legend states that the Old Man of Storr was a giant that lived along Trotternish Ridge in the Isle of Skye.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take my kids on this walk?

While this is totally up to you, we suggest bringing older children on this walk with some hiking experience. The steep and rocky sections may be dangerous for little ones.

Can I bring my dog on this walk?

Yes, you can bring your dog on the Needle Rock, The Storr and The Old Man of Storr Circular Walk. Keep your dog on-leash to avoid interactions with other dogs on the walk.

Insider Hints for Needle Rock, The Storr and The Old Man of Storr Circular Walk

• You can take a bus from Portree to Old Man of Storr Car Park.
• Bring layers, as this walk can get super windy!
• If you’re looking for a shorter version of this walk, check out our Old Man of Storr Walk.