Easily one of the most beautiful railway bridges in the world, let alone the UK, the Glenfinnan Viaduct has skyrocketed to the top of many travel bucket lists since appearing in the Harry Potter films. The setting is even more spectacular when the Jacobite Steam Train (a.k.a. the Harry Potter train or the Hogwarts Express) passes over the viaduct. Between April and October, it does so 4 times daily (twice in each direction) – so most try to time their visit with a train passing. The increase in popularity has some obvious drawbacks such as having to share the experience with many others and having to arrive early enough to secure a parking spot. Below we present our Glenfinnan Viaduct and Jacobite Steam Train Travel Guide to help you plan your visit to this iconic attraction in the Scottish Highlands, as it makes a great stop on your way to or from the Isle of Skye, or is a great day trip option from either Glen Coe (and Fort William) or Oban.
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You might also be interested in these pages:
Top Things to See and Do in Glen Coe
Best Hikes and Walks in Glen Coe
Top Things to See and Do on Skye
Skye’s Best Hiking and Walking Trails
Orientation – How to Get to the Glennfinnan Viaduct?
The Glenfinnan Viaduct is located near the small village of Glenfinnan in the western Scottish Highlands, along the A830 road that connects Fort William and Mallaig (also known as the Road to the Isles), from which ferries depart to the Isle of Skye (clicking the map below will open Google Maps).
Glennfinnan is roughly a 25-minute drive from Fort William, a 1h30 min drive from Oban, a 2-hour drive from Inverness, and a 3-hour from either Glasgow or Edinburgh.
For advice and tips on how to drive in Scotland, check out our Scotland Roadtrip Driving Guide.
If you haven’t booked your rental vehicle yet, we highly recommend using Discover Cars to get the best rates on your rental in Scotland.
The area is far easier to visit if you have your own vehicle If you are based in Fort William, Glenfinnan can also be reached easily by public bus, otherwise, your best option is probably to join an organized tour from either Edinburgh or Inverness.
Glenfinnan History
The Glenfinnan Viaduct is a railway viaduct on the West Highland Line overlooking the Glenfinnan Monument (erected in 1814 and dedicated to the Highlanders who fought in support of the Jacobite rising of 1745) and the waters of Loch Shiel. The viaduct was built between 1897 and 1901 and was designed by Robert McAlpine, nicknamed “Concrete Bob” for his innovative use of mass concrete. It has 21 semicircular spans of 50 feet (15 m), is the longest concrete railway bridge in Scotland at 416 yards (380 m), and crosses the River Finnan at a height of 100 feet (30 m).
The line is used by passenger trains operated by ScotRail between Glasgow and Mallaig, and in the summer, West Coast Railways operates The Jacobite steam train (“the Hogwarts Express”) along the line.
Before appearing in the Harry Potter movies, the viaduct attracted less than 50,000 visitors per year (40,000 in 2005). Since then, the number of visitors has exploded and in 2023 it surpassed 500,000 in that year alone. This number is an issue, as the visitor center was designed to accommodate only up to 100,000 visitors a year, which has resulted in increased pressure upon the small Glenfinnan rural community (population of 150), as well as its facilities and parking infrastructure.
Glenfinnan Visiting Tips & Jacobite Train Schedule
Arrival to Glenfinnan
The first and most important tip if want to time your arrival with the passing of the Jacobite Steam Train (aka the Hogwarts Express): arrive early. If you are travelling during the summer peak season, we highly recommend arriving at least 45-60 min before the train is scheduled to pass over the viaduct (and that might not even guarantee you a spot in the parking lot). We had to reschedule our visit to Glenfinnan as our first attempt failed: we arrived at the car park about 30 minutes before the scheduled train passing (mid-September, 2023), and the car park had just filled up, even though they had recently built a new and enlarged car park in 2021. So we had to turn around (like many other vehicles) and come back another time. There is a small amount of overflow parking available by the nearby St Finnans Church and some more at a few laybys on the road, but these are not guaranteed as they sometimes fill up before the car park does. Please take care to only park in designated spots and do not obstruct roads and entrances as this is an important and busy road for local traffic.
The main Car Park is located just off the main road, about a 10-minute walk to the main viaduct viewpoint.
If you want to be sure to get a parking space by arriving really but aren’t sure how to pass the time before the train’s passing, we suggest the following activities:
- Head to the Glenfinnan monument and walk along the shores of the beautiful Loch Shiel.
- Walk up to the Glennfinnan viewpoint, a short 5-minute uphill walk from the Glenfinnan Visitor Center. From Here you’ll enjoy beautiful views of both Loch Shiel and the Glenfinnan Viaduct.
- Hike the short Glenfinnan viaduct loop trail – in reverse. The trail is described in greater detail below, but you do it in a clockwise direction (instead of the suggested counter-clockwise direction) since the viaduct viewpoint is nearer to the end of the trail in that direction.
- Visit Saint Mary & Saint Finnan Church – is a beautiful building and one of the most historic sites in the Glenfinnan area and, because it sits so high up relative to Loch Sheiel, you can enjoy beautiful views of the loch and the surrounding mountains from there.
Jacobite Steam Train Schedule
The Jacobite Steam Train passes over the Glennviaduct 4 times per day from early May until late September. In April and October, the train only passes twice per day. Here’s the 2024 full schedule (though be sure to consult the official website for potential scheduling changes). The westbound train will typically pass over the viaduct 30-35 minutes after departing from Fort William, and the eastbound train will typically pass over the viaduct 60-65 minutes after departing from Mallaig.
Best Glenfinnan Viaduct Viewpoints
The view of the train passing over the viaduct is most scenic and popular from the western side and therefore you want to time your arrival with the train departing Fort William. It will usually pass over the viaduct 30-35 minutes after departing Fort Williams. The ideal viewpoint is roughly around this area, but as you will realize when you get there, there are several good spots from which to choose if you arrive early enough, otherwise, you might just end up with whatever spot is left. It takes most people about 10 min to walk to the viewpoint area along a trail that will take you under and then around the viaduct to a slightly higher elevation.
If getting the perfect train shot is important to you, you’ll want to scope out the hillside in advance of the train passing over. And be ready for when it does pass, as even though the train slows down as it passes over the viaduct, the moment is very short-lived!
If you are interested in either seeing the train from a different perspective or would prefer to be in a less crowded area, you can also consider viewing the viaduct from the eastern viewpoint, for which it’s best to time your arrival with trains departing from Mallaig, which typically pass over the viaduct 60-65 minutes after departing Mallaig.
Best time to visit: we highly recommend shoulder season (May, June, September and early October). The weather will be pleasant, it won’t be as crowded as during the peak summer months, and you will be outside the peak midge period (those pesky highland “mosquitoes”). Be sure to check the midge forecast beforehand. They could make your life miserable while waiting for the train to pass if you didn’t bring repellant.
Glenfinnan hiking Trail
If hiking is not your thing, you can easily follow the main route from the parking lot to the western viewpoint and return the same way. You can follow the GPS map with All Trails, and the quick in-and-out route is only 2.3 km long.
If however you want to hike a little or want to enjoy a little more of the beautiful surrounding scenery, there is a loop trail option that is about 4km in length total.
Distance: 3.9 km
Route Type: Loop
Elevation gain: 72m (cumulative elevation gain: 89m)
AllTrails rating: (4.5, 579 ratings (2023))
Duration: 1h (excluding time waiting for train)
The loop option provides you with two additional benefits (aside from the longer and scenic trail):
- You can enjoy beautiful views of Loch Shiel from several viewpoints along the trail.
- If Walking the trail at a decent pace after the train passes by the viewpoint, you can catch up to the steam train while it is briefly stopped at the Glenfinnan train station.
Not an AllTrails member yet? We highly recommend signing up for either their free or paid membership plans. The free plan allows you to find new trails and plan routes but it can only be used while hiking if you have access to mobile data. The paid membership plan (AllTrails+) allows you to download trail maps for offline use and provides live progress updates and off-route notifications.
If you are still uncertain – you should know that the All Trails mobile application was voted the 2023 iPhone App of the Year by Apple.
How to Ride the Jacobite Steam Train
If you want to experience the Jacobite Steam Train (aka the Hogwarts Express) in a more up-close and personal manner, know that you can also ride the train across the Glenfinnan Viaduct! If that’s something that is of interest to you, you’ll have to buy the tickets well in advance as they tend to sell out months ahead of time.
Know that riding the train is almost a full-day affair (assuming you want to return to your starting point, most probably Fort William). The train ride each way between Fort William and Mallaig takes just over two hours, and there is roughly a 1h45 gap between your arrival in Mallaig and the departure time for the return leg back to Fort William. Alternatively, you could also spend the night in Mallaig and return to Fort Williams the following day.
Nearby Attractions and Activities
Go Hiking in Glencoe
Beautifully nestled in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, Glen Coe is a true paradise for hikers, hill walkers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Some of our favorite hiking trails include the Lost Valley, the Old Military Road and the Devil’s Staircase. For more information on visiting these beautiful hiking trails in this stunning highland area of Scotland, check out our Guide on the Best Hiking Trails in Glen Coe.
Hiking Packing List
All Trails subscription – This comes in really handy for areas with little or no cell reception, as the annual subscription allows you to download trail maps for offline use.
External Battery – If you are using your phone to track your progress along the trail or to help with navigation, you certainly don’t want your phone to die on you. That’s especially true in the unlikely event that you might get hurt or need assistance.
Hiking poles – These can be particularly useful in steep trails or muddy/boggy trail conditions.
If you are not an avid hiker, Glen Coe can still be very much enjoyed from the comfort of your own vehicle, with a few photo stops along the way. For more information on the best viewpoints and photo stops, check out our Guide on the Top Things to See and Do in Glen Coe.
Visit the Otherworldy Isle of Skye
Visiting Skye was the main attraction for us when we decided to travel to Scotland. Although we loved our time spent elsewhere in the country, there was something magical about being in Skye, an island filled with dramatic and otherworldly landscapes. From epic hikes like the Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing, to the beautiful waterfalls of the Fairy Pools and Talisker Bay, there’s something for everybody on sky. It’s also just a great place to just drive around (not unlike Glen Coe) and enjoy the scenery. It’s also home to one of our favourite whisky distillery’s, Talisker – it’s a great place to visit for a tasting and tour of the facility.
For more information, check out our Guide on the Top Things to See and Do on the Isle of Skye.
Take a stroll along Caol Beach and visit Neptune’s Staircase
This is a beautiful and pleasant walk along Lock Linnhe, where you’ll encounter the impressive Coprach Shipwreck. After turning inland, following the Caledonian Canal, you’ll eventually reach a flight of eight locks known as Neptune’s Staircase.
Visit the Gateway to the Isles and The Seafood Capital of Scotland, Oban
Oban is a beautiful and charming coastal town, and sadly many do not give it the time it deserves using it primarily as a launching pad for visiting some of the nearby famous Hebrides islands, such as Mull, Iona, Jura and Islay. The town itself is definitely deserving a full day (if not more): it has a beautiful boardwalk promenade, some of the best seafood restaurants in the country, the curious McGraig’s tower overlooking the town, and is home to the historic Oban whisky distillery (established in 1794). Another favourite activity of ours was a visit to the beautiful green ilse of Kerrera. Oh, and the drive between Oban and Glen Coe is superbly scenic.
For more information on visiting Oban and the surrounding area, check out our Oban Travel Guide
Hike or visit the UK’s tallest Peak, Ben Nevis
Just a short hop from Fort William lies the imposing Ben Nevis mountain, which towers over the surrounding landscape. Despite its title as the UK’s tallest mountain, it is still a very accessible mountain to hike for most people. If you would to experience Ben Nevis from up close without having to climb a mountain, there is a cable car that departs along the northern slope of the adjacent Aonach Mor mountain.
Should you Stay in Glenfinnan?
In our opinion it’s not a destination worthy of a prolonged stay. Don’t get us wrong, the area is very beautiful, but once you’ve seen the train and spent a bit of time by the loch, there isn’t terribly much else to do in the immediate area. Glenfinnan is best visited either on the way to/from Skye or as a day trip from Fort William.
Also, since the train never passes very early in the morning, there’s no need to spend the night to avoid having to get up ridiculously early.
Preparing a trip to the Highlands?
You might be interested in these pages:
Top Things to See and Do in Glen Coe
Best Hikes and Walks in Glen Coe
Top Things to See and Do on Skye
Skye’s Best Hiking and Walking Trails
Preparing a trip to Scotland?
You might be interested in these Scotland pages:
10-Day Scotland Roadtrip Itinerary (Edinburgh and Highlands)
Scotland Driving Guide and Tips
7 of the Best Castles to Visit in Scotland
Best Things to See in the Scottish Highlands
Best Hikes to do in the Scottish Highlands
We also highly recommend these guidebooks:
Rick Steves Scotland
Lonely Planet Scotland’s Highlands
Photography Gear
If you like our photography, you might be interested in some of the gear we use to shoot our travel and hiking destinations.
Camera Body – Nikon Z 6ii Fx-series Mirrorless Body
Main Lens – NIKON 24-120mm F/4G ED VR AF-S
Zoom Lens – Sigma 745-306 150-600mm f/5-6.3
Polarizing filters – Urth Circular Polarizing (CPL)
Camera Tripod – K&F Concept 64-inch Camera Tripod
Mini-tripod – Lammcou Flexible Camera Tripod
Camera/hiking backpack – Vanguard Alta Rise 48 Backpack
Universal Travel Adapter – VYLEE Universal International Power Travel Plug
Other Travel Essentials
Travel Insurance
SafetyWing is a travel insurance company that offers comprehensive coverage for travellers. Includes Medical Insurance and Travel Insurance. Primarily geared towards long-term travellers, digital nomads, and expats.
e-Sim cards
Airalo is the world’s first and largest eSIM store with eSIM plans for 200+ countries and regions worldwide. With Airalo eSIMs, travellers can get connected the moment they land at their destination and avoid nasty data roaming charges
eSIMS are a sustainable alternative to single-use SIM cards – they are 100% digital, require less energy to produce and be re-used rather than disposed of.
Car Rentals
Discover Cars is our go-to website for car rentals. We almost always find our preferred rate there.
Transfer from Airport
Welcome Pickups is our favourite private transfer service, which you can pre-book at a fixed price. Currently available in 220 cities all over the world (mostly in Europe, but with several major cities in Asia, the Middle East and the US).
Kiwitaxi is another private transfer service – we haven’t tried it yet, but it’s currently available in a few more countries (102 as of 2024).
Hotels and Accommodations (coming soon)
Photography Prints
If you found this blog useful, you can help support our blog by purchasing low-cost digital prints. Printed physical prints are also available for purchase.
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Well, that wraps it up! We hope you enjoyed our Glenfinnan Viaduct and Jacobite Steam Train Travel Guide and that it will prove useful for planning your trip to the beautiful Scottish Highlands.
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