This short walk visits the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct and has excellent views of Loch Shiel; the going however is steep and boggy.
Summary
The path climbing above the viaduct and down to the station is rough and very boggy in places; the rest of the route is on easy tracks.
Terrain
Glenfinnan car park on north side of the bridge
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1. Turn off the A830(T) road onto a track just west of the bridge over the river at Glenfinnan, immediately opposite the minor road down to the Glenfinnan House hotel; there is car parking immediately on the right. The walk begins along the tarred track. Ignore the turn off to the right and continue, passing a barn, towards the viaduct which looms every larger ahead.
2. Once at the very foot of the viaduct, a track goes off to the right; turn left here directly opposite the track. There is a clear path, marked by plain wooden posts, but it is very boggy. Follow this path steeply uphill, keeping beside the viaduct. As the path approaches the trees, it turns right at the last moment and passes under the railway, and then through a gate on the far side. The next section is very boggy, but the path leads a little away from the railway before bearing left, parallel to the track, and begin to traverse across the hillside.
3. There are excellent views, both back to the viaduct, down to the Glenfinnan Monument and along Loch Shiel. The track climbs a little higher but generally continues across the hillside - it is clear to follow. At one point it crests a grassy knoll which makes a particularly fine viewpoint. Once the railway carriages parked by Glenfinnan Station come into view, the path turns left and heads back downhill towards the railway, passing through a tunnel underneath which isn't seen until the last moment.
4. Shortly after passing through the tunnel, the path forks; go right, heading across a little bridge and along a section of path constructed out of old railway sleepers. Ignore another path going off downhill to the left, and follow the path as it climbs the steps to Glenfinnan Station, emerging next to the sleeping car (this is a hostel). Turn left from the station and follow the lane down to the main road.
5. Turn right along the pavement of the A830 for a short distance, before turning sharp left - shortly before reaching the hotel - down a track past several houses. When the track ends at the last house, continue ahead on the well-made path that starts between two metal handrails. The path continues downhill before emerging on a tarmac road at a t-junction; turn left here. The road passes close to the wonderfully located Glenfinnan House Hotel, and further on comes close to the shores of beautiful Loch Shiel before emerging on the A830 once more, opposite the start of the walk.
6. If you haven't already visited the Glenfinnan monument, it's worth doing so before returning to your car. Turn right along the pavement across the bridge, and then turn right at the next gate onto a track leading into a field. Cross the third of the strangely numerous wooden bridges to pass round the back of the small graveyard (this avoids the boggy direct route) to reach the monument. This was built to commemorate Bonnie Prince Charlie unfurling his standard at the start of the Jacobite rebellion, and enjoys a fantastic position at the head of Loch Shiel. There is a National Trust visitor centre over to the left by the road that tells the story; the ticket also enables you to climb to the top of the monument.
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