KYQ4: An Storr and Hartaval

Saturday 15 May 2021

An Storr and Hartaval

An Storr from the Sanctuary

Thursday 13 May 2021

Ascent: 971 metres

Distance: 13 kilometres

Time: 3 hours 5 minutes

An Storr 719m 1hr 14mins

Hartaval 668m 1hr 46mins

Gregor had wanted to run the Trotternish ridge but after running 50 kilometres in the past 3 days plus two coastal walks and an ascent of the Quiraing, he was understandably reluctant to start too soon. We dropped him by the Quiraing for him to start a run of the ridge from north to south at 11 a.m. Aileen and I travelled on through Staffin to the newly constructed Storr car park. It is limited to vehicles of restricted height which meant that the cavalcade of motor homes had to park along the roadside. An extra lane had been created to accommodate these ships of the North Coast 500. I had decided to climb the Storr first and then Hartaval before returning to the Sanctuary which is the area hosting the Old Man of Storr and other features of this remarkable landscape. Aileen was keen to explore the Sanctuary and have a picnic lunch before we returned.

The new path to the Sanctuary through the old forestry plantation that had been felled was steep with a well-constructed staircase. There were dozens of tourists making their way up and down. From the Sanctuary a narrow path winds its way to the north cutting under the cliffs at an easy gradient before reaching the end of the cliffs when it is possible to climb the grassy slopes and then turn and ascend the final climb of 200 metres to the summit of An Storr, a vast short grassy slope in complete contrast to the cliffs below.

I had made good time and after a chat with a Liverpool supporter, I began the long descent to the Bealach a' Chuirn between the two hills. I arrived at the Hartaval summit just after Gregor so we had 5 minutes for some food and drink before he began the run over to the Storr. Despite at least a couple of hundred or so who had walked to the Sanctuary, I had only met 3 people other than Gregor on the Storr or Hartaval. I dropped back down to the bealach and then made a rising traverse to regain the path back to the Sanctuary. The sun had joined us and we all met up on a sun-soaked slope above the Sanctuary. Aileen was ecstatic about the place and we all enjoyed some time exploring the Sanctuary before returning to the car.

Feeling pleased with the outing we drove to Portree and spotted a pub with outside tables. For the first time since last summer, we stopped for a pint and treated ourselves to a late pub lunch. The fish was fresh and the perfect way to celebrate a taste of the Trotternish ridge or in Gregor's case to make a complete meal of it.