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Glenfinnan viaduct and monument roundtrip 5.5 km

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Photo ofGlenfinnan viaduct and monument roundtrip 5.5 km Photo ofGlenfinnan viaduct and monument roundtrip 5.5 km Photo ofGlenfinnan viaduct and monument roundtrip 5.5 km

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Trail stats

Distance
3.4 mi
Elevation gain
449 ft
Technical difficulty
Moderate
Elevation loss
449 ft
Max elevation
345 ft
TrailRank 
85 4.5
Min elevation
35 ft
Trail type
Loop
Time
2 hours 45 minutes
Coordinates
745
Uploaded
September 23, 2018
Recorded
July 2018
  • Rating

  •   4.5 2 Reviews

near Glenfinnan, Scotland (United Kingdom)

Viewed 9706 times, downloaded 311 times

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Photo ofGlenfinnan viaduct and monument roundtrip 5.5 km Photo ofGlenfinnan viaduct and monument roundtrip 5.5 km Photo ofGlenfinnan viaduct and monument roundtrip 5.5 km

Itinerary description

This hike takes in the main sights around Glenfinnan: the famous ‘Harry Potter’ steam train viaduct, the Glenfinnan monument, the Glenfinnan station on the West Highland Railway, and Loch Shiel. The walk starts at Glenfinnan station. You could arrive here by train, or by car. There is limited parking at the station. More parking can be found at the bottom of the station road, on the road near the Glenfinnan monument, and across from the Glenfinnan Pier Road. A lot of people walk along the Glenfinnan Viaduct Trail to obtain the best position for making a picture of the viaduct while the Jacobite steam train is passing. Enquire on the time the steam trains pass. Westbound and eastbound trains pass shortly after each other as they pass on Glenfinnan station. You can find something to eat and drink at Glenfinnan station, and at the National Trust visitor centre across from the Glenfinnan monument.
The hike starts on the parking at the station across from the Glenfinnan dining car (a railway car converted to a restaurant). You first walk onto the station to get an impression of the steam train station. You can also visit the signal box, where you can simulate operating the signals and switches (not sure about the opening times). After your visit to the station you start off on the Glenfinnan viaduct trail past the dining car. The trail takes you into the wood below the railway, passes through a tunnel, and climbs above the railway for a great view towards Loch Shiel and the Glenfinnan monument. The trail continues towards the viaduct, and the views of the viaduct get better the closer you approach. When the trains are about to arrive, people collect along this trail to get the best view of the steam train on the viaduct. We continued until we got to an asphalt lane below the viaduct. Here you cross the river Finna, and walk up the hill on the other side of the viaduct. You can get here to the railway track, but access is forbidden. From a viewpoint close by we waited for the steam train to arrive (from Fort William). After the train had passed we went down to the asphalt lane and walked along the river to the A830 main road. You walk along the main road to the visitor centre, and cross the road towards the Glenfinnan monument (commemorating the start of the Jacobite rising when Prince Charles Edward Stuart raised his standard here). You walk to the shore of Loch Shiel, and then back to the visitor centre (close to the road is another boardwalk nature trail you could do adding a bit more than 1 km). You walk back along the A830, cross the river Finna and turn left on the Glenfinnan Pier Road. On the right side you pass St. Mary & St. Finnan Church, and on the left side you get close to Loch Shiel again. You follow this road until it turns left, and then go straight on back to the A830 and then walk up back to the station.

Waypoints

Photo ofBelow viaduct Photo ofBelow viaduct Photo ofBelow viaduct

Below viaduct

Here the path gets below the viaduct

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Glenfinnan Monument

Here is the Glenfinnan Monument. You can go up the monument; this requires tickets from the visitor centre.

Photo ofGlenfinnan Pier Road Photo ofGlenfinnan Pier Road

Glenfinnan Pier Road

Here starts the Glenfinnan Pier Road, towards the lake. You follow this road past the church and another Loch Shiel access.

PictographTrain stop Altitude 0 ft
Photo ofGlenfinnan Station Photo ofGlenfinnan Station Photo ofGlenfinnan Station

Glenfinnan Station

Glenfinnan station

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Photo ofLakeside Loch Shiel Photo ofLakeside Loch Shiel Photo ofLakeside Loch Shiel

Lakeside Loch Shiel

Here you get to the shore of Loch Shiel

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No access to railway

Here the path ends at the railway. A gate and a sign prevent access.

PictographRiver Altitude 0 ft
Photo ofRiver Finna Photo ofRiver Finna Photo ofRiver Finna

River Finna

Here you cross river Finna just below the viaduct

Photo ofSignal Box Photo ofSignal Box Photo ofSignal Box

Signal Box

The Signal Box is open for the public (at least it was during our visit). You can get information on how signals and switches are and were operated.

Photo ofStart Glenfinnan Viaduct Trail Photo ofStart Glenfinnan Viaduct Trail Photo ofStart Glenfinnan Viaduct Trail

Start Glenfinnan Viaduct Trail

Here the Glenfinnan Viaduct Trail starts.

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Viewpoint east of viaduct

Viewpoint east of viaduct. Most people view the viaduct from the other side.

PictographPanorama Altitude 0 ft
Photo ofViewpoint Trail Photo ofViewpoint Trail Photo ofViewpoint Trail

Viewpoint Trail

Viewpoint on the trail towards Loch Shiel and the Glenfinnan Monument

PictographPanorama Altitude 0 ft
Photo ofViewpoint west of viaduct Photo ofViewpoint west of viaduct Photo ofViewpoint west of viaduct

Viewpoint west of viaduct

Most people go to viewpoints west of the viaduct

Comments  (4)

  • Photo of Cpeet tracker
    Cpeet tracker Jul 8, 2022

    I have followed this trail  verified  View more

    Bedankt voor de route tip. Wij hebben de trein vanuit de westview gezien, helaas regende het wel. In de ochtend rijdt de trein alleen vanuit Fort William en die is om 10.45am te zien

  • Photo of Tjaart Molenkamp
    Tjaart Molenkamp Jul 8, 2022

    Graag gedaan, Cpeet tracker. Jammer van de regen, maar hopelijk wel genoten... En bedankt voor de review!

  • Rafael Corrado Jul 28, 2022

    I have followed this trail  View more

    Just great.

  • Photo of Tjaart Molenkamp
    Tjaart Molenkamp Aug 3, 2022

    That sums it up pretty well, Rafael! Thanks for the review.

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