Whaligoe Steps

At Whaligoe, near Lybster, a steep stone stairway descends from the cliffs to a sheltered inlet once used by fishing boats. The roughly 365 steps lead to a natural landing with coastal views and a clear look at Elephant Rock. The route is a rewarding stop for walkers interested in the area’s fishing past, but it calls for steady footing: there are no handrails, and the stones can be slippery when wet. Seabirds and other wildlife may be spotted along the coast.

The route down to the inlet

The Whaligoe Steps descend from the cliff top to a natural platform beside a sheltered inlet. The stairway has roughly 365 hand-made stone steps. At the bottom, small fishing boats once landed their catch, and the landing gives you a closer view of the inlet and the surrounding coast.

The descent is steep and exposed in places. There are no handrails, and wet stones can make the footing uncertain, so take care and choose your conditions. The return climb is strenuous for some walkers. There are places to stop and catch your breath on the way back up.

Fishing history and coastal wildlife

The steps are tied to the fishing work once carried out at Whaligoe. Local stories tell of women carrying baskets of fish up the steep route. The stairway and landing offer a way to see the setting behind those accounts, with the cliffs and inlet close at hand.

Elephant Rock is visible from the area, and the coast can be explored on foot. Some paths are narrow and run beside steep drops, so keep to routes you are comfortable with. Seabirds, including puffins and guillemots, have been spotted here, along with rabbits. Livestock may also be present, so pay attention to signs about dogs.