Illustrative artwork — an impression of Isle of Skye — Quiraing & Old Man of Storr, not a literal photograph.
The Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing are the two short walks that define a visit to Skye's Trotternish peninsula — a jagged rock pinnacle on one side, a surreal landslip of towers and plateaus on the other. Neither hike takes a full day, but both are rough, muddy, and exposed to unfenced drops, so where you base yourself and how early you arrive matters more than how far you plan to walk.
Why hike here
The appeal here is contrast packed into a few hours: the Storr's broken rock pillars rising straight out of grazing land, visible from the road long before you reach the path, and then the Quiraing's tilted green plateaus and rock towers a short drive north, cut through by a path that traces the edge of the landslip itself. Both walks put you inside the view rather than looking at it from a distance — scrambling between rock towers, following a narrow trod along a plateau edge, the sea and the mainland hills laid out below. The Trotternish peninsula earned its reputation for a reason: nowhere else on Skye packs this much drama into two short, walkable routes, which is exactly why the car parks fill before most people are awake.
Getting there
Skye is reached by road, over the bridge that links it to the mainland, so most hikers arrive by car or bus rather than by air onto the island itself. The nearest airport with regular flights is Inverness, from which it's a drive of a few hours across the Highlands to Skye and on to the Trotternish peninsula. From Portree, the Storr and the Quiraing are both reached by the same road north along the coast; the car parks at each trailhead are small and fill early, so plan to arrive at first light rather than relying on finding space later in the day.
Where to stay
The realistic options, closest-to-the-trail first. Book through the official links — we don't list prices or availability because they change all the time.
Illustrative — evokes the setting, not a specific property. For example: Hotels, B&Bs, hostels and rentals in Portree, Skye’s main town
Most visitors — central for reaching the Trotternish walks.
Rooms across Skye are limited and busy; book well ahead.
Nearby-town lodgingFor example: Guesthouses, rentals and campsites nearer the Quiraing and Storr
Hikers wanting to be first at the popular parking areas.
Small car parks at the Storr and Quiraing fill early — arrive at first light.
Local lodgingPermits & rules
No permit is needed. The Old Man of Storr and Quiraing are short but rough, muddy and exposed; wear proper footwear, keep back from the unfenced drops, and arrive early because the small car parks fill fast.
Gear you'll want for this trip
Matched to the terrain and conditions here. Real products — check current price on Amazon.
Common questions
Do I need to book a hut or lodge in advance for these hikes?
No — both the Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing are day walks, not multi-day hut routes, so there's no trail accommodation to book. You choose a base instead, typically Portree or one of the smaller villages near Staffin, and complete each walk in a few hours before heading back to your room. Book your night's lodging, not a spot on the trail.
Should I stay in Portree or closer to the trailheads?
Portree is the practical choice — it's Skye's main town, has the widest range of hotels, B&Bs, hostels, and rentals, and sits roughly central to the whole Trotternish peninsula. Staying nearer Staffin puts you closer to the Storr and the Quiraing themselves, in guesthouses, rentals, or campsites, which can shave time off an early start if the car parks are your main concern.
What's the best time of year to do these walks?
Aim for April through October, when the weather and daylight are most workable for exposed, unfenced terrain like this. Outside that window, Skye's wind, rain, and shorter days make the drops around the Storr and the Quiraing considerably harder to manage safely. Whenever you go, check the forecast the night before and be ready to turn back if conditions turn.
Complete gearsets for this trip
Full curated kits built for exactly this kind of hike — what to bring, why, and links to similar gear.
Lodging details are compiled from official parks, refuge associations and reservation systems and can change without notice. We publish no prices, availability or ratings — always confirm current information on the official site before booking or setting out. Product links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you; prices and availability are shown on Amazon. See our affiliate disclosure.