A walk · Glenfinnan

Glenfinnan – A Walk to the Viaduct Viewpoint

About 2.5 miles on foot.

The Glenfinnan Viaduct carries the West Highland Line across the head of a glen on twenty-one concrete arches, a hundred feet above the River Finnan.

A short trail runs under the arches, climbs to a viewpoint that looks along the curve of them, and carries on across the hillside to Glenfinnan Station and its small museum. It's about 4 km, an easy hour or so with one short, steep climb.

Time: An hour to an hour and a half: about 4 km round by the foot of the arches, the viaduct viewpoint and Glenfinnan Station. A short walk with one steep climb.
The path: Flat and firm to the foot of the arches; the climb to the viewpoint is steep, with steps.
Where to start: Two pay car parks side by side on the A830 beside the visitor centre, the National Trust for Scotland's and the community's; neither can be booked. The Glenfinnan Station Museum's small car park at the foot of the station approach asks a donation. No parking on the verges or in passing places; the car park at the top of the station approach is for ScotRail and disabled parking only.
Set off: From November to January, start by 1.30pm to be back in daylight.
When to go: All year in daylight. From November to January start by 1.30pm. The Jacobite steam train's 2026 season ends on Friday 23 October.
Dogs: On a lead: the railway is unfenced in places and sheep and deer graze the hill.
Children: A short walk children enjoy; hold hands on the steps and keep everyone off the railway.
Toilets: At the visitor centre beside the car parks, when it is open.
Before you set out: The Jacobite steam train's 2026 season ends on Friday 23 October; ScotRail's trains cross all year. Never go onto the railway.

The walk

Glenfinnan has two car parks side by side on the A830, beside the visitor centre, and both charge. Neither can be booked and parking is limited, so never leave the car on the verges or in a passing place. The Glenfinnan Station Museum has a small car park of its own at the foot of the station approach, where it asks for a donation. The other way to arrive is by train, since ScotRail stops at Glenfinnan all year. The Viaduct Trail is the museum's own path, linking the station, the viaduct and the shore of Loch Shiel. The round is about 4 km and takes an hour to an hour and a half.

The way to the foot of the arches is flat and firm. The climb from there to the viewpoint is short and steep, with steps that are slippery when wet. From the viewpoint you look along the curve of the arches, and a second viewpoint further on looks down Loch Shiel to the Glenfinnan Monument. The viaduct was built in concrete by Sir Robert McAlpine, known as Concrete Bob, and the line to Mallaig opened on 1 April 1901. The Jacobite steam train crosses in its season, which in 2026 ends on Friday 23 October. Until then it goes over at about 10.45am and comes back at about 3.10pm, though the times shift, so check West Coast Railways' timetable.

ScotRail's trains cross all year. Never go onto the railway, and keep dogs on a lead. The museum's Dining Car, at the station, serves snacks and light lunches from Tuesday to Saturday. In winter, ring 07979 417115 before you count on it. The visitor centre by the car parks has toilets and a café. From November to January, start by 1.30pm.

If it rains

It's a short walk and the path under the arches is firm, so it goes in a shower. The steps to the viewpoint are slippery when wet, and in low cloud there's little to see from the top.

Before you go

Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
The nearest of ours is Glenhurich Lodge, 10 miles away. Sleeps 11.

Find out more

For further reading, before you go.