An epic landscape.....The Storr

Hill: The Storr (The steep high cliff)

Type: Fiona

Height: 719m

Final walking day on Skye for me and I wanted a memorable walk so one thats been on my list for yonks was The Storr and Hartaval.

Cloud shroud

After clouds lift

Along with Gordon and Liz we parked at an already very busy car park and from here the views up to this amazing rock formation were already amazing, could hardly wait until we got closer.

It is fair to say that including Ben Nevis I have never seen so many people concentrated on such a short section of a walk. It was interesting seeing all the varying ages & fitness levels. No wonder a medical response team parked at the bottom I am sure they get regular calls. The mixture of accents and nationalities also enticing. Thankfully most of these would only be going to the Old Man of Storr and not further on.

It was a very good stone stepped track and it was steep so I was blowing a bit. The magnificent natural rock architecture was out of this world.

Finally we left the masses alone, a few no doubt wondering where we were heady off over a style onto a muddy track.

Trotternish path rising left to right

A short section of light scrambling and then the Trotternish trail was a black line against the green landscape. 

The route is a huge U bend but along the first section there were magnificent views over Rhona and onwards to the mainland and the big peaks of Torridon.

At the U bend we stopped for a break just as the clouds were lowering themselves enough to cover the top.

Top peaking out behind top with the two walkers on it

The trek to the top is mainly over grassy slopes with some erosion but is a gentle ascent. Out of the gloom I spotted a cairn over to our left, we had veared too far right but not in any danger. 

Liz & Gordon brighten up the summit

Redirected ourselves and reached the true top, another well built cairn/trig, very similar to the structure I saw yesterday on Meall na Suiramach.

It cleared briefly to give us some views but another huge deep cloud was making it’s way towards us. As such Hartaval was abandoned, we didn’t fancy the 200m descent and reascent potentially in cloud. 

Red Cuillin on left and Black on right

So we made our way down the grassy slopes towards the gully we had to find. At first I thought it was further away but Gordon rightly thought otherwise and we reached the correct gully to descend from.

From the top it was still a long way down and looks slightly intimidating. It did need full concentration but although rocky and pathless at times it was reasonably straightforward. A ring ouzel flew across us, my first of the year. It did pose but I was not quick enough to get the camera working whilst balancing on steep stony section.

Boulder debris

Finally to finish a wettish grassy final section where time was taken to discuss the boulder field from all the collapses from these cliffs. A few sheep were caught out by these no doubt.

Then onto the road section and back to the car.

A top ramble in excellent company. With regularity the views were outstanding. Only disappointment was the cloudy summit and missing out on Hartaval.

Ascent: 639m

Distance: 8.6km

Time: 4.28

Wildlife: Ring Ouzel; Skylark; Meadow Pipit; Feral Pigeon; Orange tip(m); Small White;