Glenfinnan Viaduct and Monument Walk
Highlands
Glenfinnan sits at the head of Loch Shiel where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard in 1745 at the start of the Jacobite rising, and the tall column of the Glenfinnan Monument commemorates the clansmen who followed him. The 21-arch railway viaduct built in 1898 curves above the valley to the north and has become iconic partly through its appearance in the Harry Potter films. The walk from the station combines a climb to the viaduct viewpoint above with a descent to the NTS monument at the loch head and a return along the loch shore, threading through woodland and open hillside with Loch Shiel stretched beneath the mountains.
This is a dog friendly walk with good variety for both owner and dog. The climb to the viaduct viewpoint crosses open hillside where off-lead time is possible, with moderate livestock risk on the grazing sections below. The lochside section is particularly good for dogs, with the water of Loch Shiel accessible in several places. The combination of history, scenery and the drama of watching the Jacobite steam train cross the viaduct in summer makes this one of the most satisfying short walks in Lochaber. The station café and NTS visitor centre both welcome dogs outside. Keep leads on near the railway line and in the car park areas.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 6.0 km (3.7 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Historic, Woodland, Moorland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
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