Visiting The Whaligoe Steps

If you only have time for a handful of stops along the NC500, the Whaligoe Steps deserve a spot on the list. This winding staircase of 365 stone steps is tucked into a cliff on the east coast, and it was one of the first places we visited on our trip. It was also one of my favourites on the entire route, which is saying a lot on a road that is packed with castles, beaches, and dramatic Highland scenery.

Part of what makes it so good is how easy it is. There’s free parking, it's a short walk, and it has a view that will make it clear why so many visitors flock to this road trip route every year. In this guide, I’ll cover where to park, how to get to the best viewpoint, whether you should actually walk down the steps, and what to see next, so you can plan this stop with confidence.

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Last updated 2026-11-01

Quick Summary

Rugged coastal cliffs topped with green grass meet a gray-blue sea beneath a cloudy sky, creating a quiet, windswept landscape.

The Whaligoe Steps are a winding staircase of 365 stone steps built into a cliff on the east coast of the NC500.

They’re a low-effort stop with big views, and one of my favourites on the whole route.

Time needed: 20 minutes to an hour
Parking: Free, but the lot is small and fits only about 10 vehicles
Best for: Photos of the cliffs, the waterfall, and the staircase itself
Best viewpoint: The outcrop across the water, about a 5 to 10 minute walk from the trail fork
Best weather: Sunny if you can manage it, since the steps and waterfall look best with some sun
Heads up: The trail gets muddy and runs along a cliff edge, so wear good shoes and take it slow

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Parking and Getting There

The parking lot is just off the main road, so there's no long detour down a winding single-track road required. You can park here for free, and it's just a short walk over to the trailhead.

It's quite a small lot, with room for only about 10 vehicles. We arrived early in the day in the middle of September, and there was only one other car there. If you're visiting midday in August, you may need to wait for someone to head out, but the wait shouldn't be long because most people don't spend more than an hour here.

Why The Steps Are Worth The Stop

A tall waterfall plunges down a rugged, mossy rock cliff into a pool, with a small stone building on the ridge beneath a bright, cloudy sky.

So why was a set of stone steps a highlight of my trip? Because these aren't just any stone steps. This is a whimsical, winding staircase that snakes down the side of a massive cliff toward the sea below.

The view from the outcrop across the water would be worth the stop even without the steps. The cliff stretches out along the coastline, just begging to have its photo taken, and a powerful waterfall crashes off the edge and into the sea right beside the staircase, which adds pure drama.

You can also walk down the steps for a view of the cliffs across the other side of the water, and it is a fun walk through history as you can imagine the fishermen heading down at the start of their long day, or the fishwives hauling leftover catch up the steep 365 steps.

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What Are The Whaligoe Steps

A rugged coastal cliff with green grass atop sheer rock faces, stone paths winding down to a dark cove under a bright, cloud-streaked sky.

A tall waterfall plunges down a rugged, mossy canyon cliff into a dark pool, sending mist into the sunlight beneath a clear blue sky.

These are not really ancient steps, but that doesn't take away from their 'cool factor'. The 365 steps were originally built in the 1700s by a local landowner who funded the staircase himself after engineers dismissed the inlet as an unsuitable harbour.

It was originally used for herring fishing. Fishermen would bring the catch in at the bottom of the cliff, and on the small outcrop the fishwives would gut and salt the catch before shipping it out. They then carried any leftovers back out of the inlet up the stairs on their back.

Herring fishing faded after the World Wars, and volunteers have kept the steps open ever since. One local woman, Etta Juhle, famously cleared a huge landslide off the staircase over a single winter using only a small shovel and bucket. A small monument at the top honours her efforts.

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What To Do At The Whaligoe Steps

You have two options here: walk down the steps, or walk out to the outcrop across the water and look at the steps. For me, walking along the outcrop and looking over at the steps was better than walking down them.

Walking down the steps is kind of an iconic thing to do, but it's more of something to do in order to say that you did it. The views and experience for me were better from the other side, looking over at the steps and waterfall.

Walking To The Viewpoint

A lone person in a dark jacket stands on a grassy coastal cliff, looking across the sea toward rugged, green-topped cliffs beneath a cloudy sky. The scene feels calm and reflective.

To get to the viewpoint, head down toward the steps from the parking lot. You'll pass by someone's house, but there is a clearly marked trail, so just stick to it. The trail forks almost immediately. Go left for the steps and right for the viewpoint.

It's a short walk to the viewpoint, only about 5 to 10 minutes depending on how muddy it is. It had rained the day before we arrived, so the path was a muddy mess that slowed us down a lot. A fence runs along the path that you can use to keep from slipping around, but the path also follows the edge of a cliff, so take it slow and be careful.

You'll see the steps within the first few minutes of the trail, but the best view is further out on the cliff, where you can see the cliffs stretching into the distance and, most importantly, the waterfall.

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Walking Down The Steps

Steep stone steps wind down a lush, moss-covered coastal cliff to grassy ruins beside a rocky shore, evoking a quiet, rugged sense of history.

A lone hiker descends stone steps toward a quiet sea inlet, with rugged cliffs and green grass under an overcast sky, creating a calm, windswept mood.

We did the viewpoint first for photos, then headed back to the fork and went down the steps. It was neat to see them up close, and the staircase isn't actually very tall, so getting back up isn't too much of a grind. Still, I definitely think looking across at the steps was way more fun than walking them.

How Long To Spend At The Whaligoe Steps

Depending on how quickly you get your photos and whether you take a trip down the steps yourself, this stop can take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour. It's an easy one to fit in without throwing off the rest of your day.

Are the Whaligoe Steps Worth It?

I would say on a sunny day you absolutely cannot skip this stop. On a rainy or windy day, they are still well worth a visit, but are not quite as special.

This is one of the 5 or so stops along the NC500 that I would say are an absolute must-see for any visitor. It is free, low effort, and the steps are equally as impressive as the surrounding cliffs.

What To Do After The Whaligoe Steps?

If you're taking the NC500 counterclockwise and heading north after visiting the steps, the next stop is probably going to be Wick. This is one of the bigger and more developed cities along the route, so it makes for a great place to stop for lunch and/or a place to load up on supplies.

Also in the area near Wick, make sure to check out Old Keiss Castle and Castle Sinclair Girnigoe.

If you're taking the NC500 clockwise and heading south after your visit to the steps, the next main stop is Dunrobin Castle. This is one of the most well-maintained castles along the NC500 and charges visitors 16 pounds per person to enter. The castle interior is transformed into a kind of museum; the castle grounds and gardens are massive and stunning, and the twice-a-day falcon demonstration is worth planning your visit around. For more information about visiting Dunrobin Castle, check out our dedicated guide.

Where To Stay Near The Whaligoe Steps

There are a few small communities closer to the steps, but the best accommodation options can be found a 10-minute drive north in Wick.

Wick is a decent-sized city with lots of food options and lots of bigger stores if you need to resupply on any road trip essentials.

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Final Thoughts

The Whaligoe Steps give you a lot while asking for very little. They’re free, they only take 20 minutes to an hour, and the combination of the cliffs, the waterfall, and that whimsical staircase makes for some of the best photos on the whole NC500. My advice is to head out to the outcrop across the water first, since that’s where you get the best view, and then decide whether you want to walk down the steps for the experience. Try to line it up with some sun if you can, wear shoes that can handle mud, and take your time along the cliff edge.

If you’re still piecing together your NC500 itinerary, this is just one of the highlights along the way. Check out our comprehensive guide to the 21 stops along the NC500 for everything you need to plan the perfect route, including what to see, where to stop, and how to make the most of your time on the road.

FAQ

Are the Whaligoe Steps worth visiting?

Yes. The Whaligoe Steps are free, low effort, and one of the 5 or so stops along the NC500 we think nobody should skip. They look best on a sunny day, but they are still worth a visit in rain or wind. The combination of the cliffs, the waterfall, and the winding staircase makes for some of the best photos on the route.

How many steps are there at Whaligoe Steps?

There are 365 stone steps built into the cliff. They were built in the 1700s by a local landowner who funded the staircase himself and were used for herring fishing. Fishermen brought the catch in at the bottom of the cliff, and the fishwives gutted and salted it before carrying leftovers back up the stairs.

Is there parking at the Whaligoe Steps?

Yes, parking is free, but the lot is small and fits only about 10 vehicles. It is just off the main road, so you do not need to drive down a long single track road. We visited early in the day in mid-September and there was only one other car. In August you may need to wait briefly for a spot, since most visitors stay under an hour.

How long should you spend at the Whaligoe Steps?

Plan on 20 minutes to an hour, depending on how long you spend taking photos and whether you walk down the steps. It is an easy stop to fit into the day without throwing off the rest of your itinerary.

Where is the best viewpoint for the Whaligoe Steps?

The best view is from the outcrop across the water, about a 5 to 10 minute walk from the parking lot. The trail forks almost immediately after the parking lot: go right for the viewpoint and left for the steps. From the outcrop you can see the staircase, the cliffs stretching along the coast, and the waterfall. The trail runs along a cliff edge and gets muddy, so wear good shoes and take it slow.

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