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Schottland: Glenfinnan Bridge

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Photo ofSchottland: Glenfinnan Bridge Photo ofSchottland: Glenfinnan Bridge Photo ofSchottland: Glenfinnan Bridge

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Trail stats

Distance
3.89 mi
Elevation gain
528 ft
Technical difficulty
Easy
Elevation loss
528 ft
Max elevation
385 ft
TrailRank 
52
Min elevation
46 ft
Trail type
Loop
Moving time
one hour 42 minutes
Time
3 hours 56 minutes
Coordinates
1110
Uploaded
April 27, 2023
Recorded
April 2023
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near Gleann Fhionnainn, Scotland (United Kingdom)

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Trail photos

Photo ofSchottland: Glenfinnan Bridge Photo ofSchottland: Glenfinnan Bridge Photo ofSchottland: Glenfinnan Bridge

Itinerary description

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This walk takes in the main attractions around Glenfinnan: the famous 'Harry Potter' steam train viaduct, the Glenfinnan memorial, Glenfinnan station on the West Highland Railway and Loch Shiel. Inquire beforehand about the passage times of the steam trains. Westbound and eastbound trains pass Glenfinnan station in quick succession.
I park in the designated lot by the visitor center and then walk to a lookout point behind the bridge. After the steam train crosses the bridge, I walk the Glennfinnan trail to the station. There is a restaurant in an old railway carriage and a museum.

Waypoints

PictographCar park Altitude 39 ft
Photo ofParkplatz Woodland Walk and Viewpoints

Parkplatz Woodland Walk and Viewpoints

If you live in Ford William, all you have to do is say the two words "What time does it leave?" and the answer will be 10:20 am. one asks in Ford William. "When is?" you get the answer: 10:45 a.m. Everyone at Ford William knows what that means: 10:20am is the steam train's departure for Malik and 10:45am is the time the train crosses the Glennfinnan Bridge. I park the car in the designated parking lot at the Visitor Center on a rainy day.

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Photo ofInfotafel

Infotafel

PictographRiver Altitude 26 ft
Photo ofFluss

Fluss

PictographBridge Altitude 49 ft
Photo ofUnterhalb der Brücke Photo ofUnterhalb der Brücke

Unterhalb der Brücke

The Glenfinnan Viaduct is an impressive 380m long bridge supported by 21 arches and narrow piers. About them runs the rail link from Fort William to Mallaig. The Jakobite train rushes over the viaduct at full steam every day at around 11:00 a.m. and around 3:00 p.m. Train lovers, tourists and Harry Potter fans sit in the seven carriages of the "Hogwarts Express". You have to book months in advance to get a place.

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PictographBridge Altitude 190 ft
Photo ofGlenfinnanbrücke

Glenfinnanbrücke

Exactly at 10:45 a.m. the steam train (Jacobite Steam Train) travels from Fort William to Mallaig on the Glennfinnan Bridge, which is known worldwide for the Hogwart Express. Steam trains were reintroduced in 1984. The train usually passes the bridge at the following times: morning drive: 10:58 a.m. onwards 3:00 p.m. back afternoon drive: 3:20 p.m. onwards 7:30 p.m. back The times are of course approximate, it is best to be there fifteen minutes in advance and secure a photo spot.

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PictographLake Altitude 108 ft
Photo ofBrücke und Blick auf Loch Shiel

Brücke und Blick auf Loch Shiel

Photo ofInformationstafel und Brücke über den Fluss Finnan Photo ofInformationstafel und Brücke über den Fluss Finnan

Informationstafel und Brücke über den Fluss Finnan

The railway line opened in 1901 and with it the Glenfinnan Viaduct. It was built from 1897 to 1898 by Robert McAlpine, who - revolutionary at the time! – only used concrete as a building material. It was considered such a technical marvel that the designer was knighted by King George V - and also nicknamed "Concrete Bob" by the people.

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PictographPanorama Altitude 194 ft
Photo ofAussichtspunkt

Aussichtspunkt

PictographWaypoint Altitude 217 ft
Photo ofDer weitere Weg verläuft teilweise über Holzbohlen.

Der weitere Weg verläuft teilweise über Holzbohlen.

PictographPanorama Altitude 246 ft
Photo ofBlick zum Loch Shiel und Glenfinnan Monument

Blick zum Loch Shiel und Glenfinnan Monument

PictographLake Altitude 276 ft
Photo ofLoch Shiel Viewpoint

Loch Shiel Viewpoint

PictographWaypoint Altitude 305 ft
Photo ofWeg oberhalb des Loch Shield zur Glennfinnan-Bahnstation

Weg oberhalb des Loch Shield zur Glennfinnan-Bahnstation

PictographTrain stop Altitude 220 ft
Photo ofInfotafel am Glenfinnan Bahnhof

Infotafel am Glenfinnan Bahnhof

PictographProvisioning Altitude 210 ft
Photo ofEssen im „Dining Car“ Photo ofEssen im „Dining Car“

Essen im „Dining Car“

PictographMuseum Altitude 210 ft
Photo ofGlenfinnan Station Museum Photo ofGlenfinnan Station Museum Photo ofGlenfinnan Station Museum

Glenfinnan Station Museum

PictographOvernight Altitude 128 ft
Photo ofBack Track Bothies Photo ofBack Track Bothies

Back Track Bothies

A trio of bespoke, lovingly handcrafted eco-retreats with a wood-fired Swedish bath for stargazing, nestled in the wild and scenic heart of the historic West Highlands. Beautifully situated in the picturesque rural hamlet of Glenfinnan, the Back Track Bothies were built in partnership with the local community. Each eco-friendly bothie was built from Douglas fir wood by a craftsman whose workshop is just 20 minutes away, while the stone and metal work was carried out by local experts. Meanwhile the friendly family owners were busy hammering stones, preparing the sheep's wool insulation and installing the turf roofs! Because Glenfinnan is steeped in history, the three bothies were named in honor of the MacDonalds of Clanranald, Keppoch and Glenaladale, all of whom supported Bonnie Prince Charlie in the 1745 Jacobite Rising.

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PictographFlora Altitude 66 ft
Photo ofRhododendronblüte Ende April

Rhododendronblüte Ende April

PictographLake Altitude 49 ft
Photo ofAm Ufer des Loch Shield

Am Ufer des Loch Shield

PictographWaypoint Altitude 26 ft
Photo ofGlenfinnan Monument

Glenfinnan Monument

PictographWaypoint Altitude 46 ft
Photo ofPfad zum River Callup Photo ofPfad zum River Callup

Pfad zum River Callup

Unfortunately, the butterfly and pinewood trail (1.3 km) is expected to be closed until September 2023 due to forestry work. A pity!

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PictographMonument Altitude 16 ft
Photo ofGlenfinnan Monument Photo ofGlenfinnan Monument

Glenfinnan Monument

Commemorates Bonnie Prince Charlie's daring venture to elevate the exiled Stuarts to the throne of Great Britain and Ireland after all. He rallied Highland Jacobites around his standard on 19 August 1745 on the shores of Loch Shiel to start a rebellion for the Stuarts. After the decisive Battle of Culloden in the following year, however, he had to flee Scotland in a hurry. But anyone who thinks that the figure on the high column is Prince Charlie will be disappointed: due to a misunderstanding, the stonemason knocked a completely unknown Highlander out of the rock.

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PictographLake Altitude 16 ft
Photo ofLoch Shield

Loch Shield

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