West Highland Line: Rail & Hike. From Glasgow to Mallaig
West Highland Line: Rail & Hike. From Glasgow to Mallaig
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Explore Scotland's natural beauty as you take iconic tours of the UK's northernmost railway line, The West Highland Line.
Walk through wooded trails and mountains that will allow you to get to know the Glen Falloch Valley, at a height of 200 metres, with beautiful hills, glens and waterfalls.
On this route, you will also have the opportunity to climb Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK at 1,345 metres high and located at the western end of the Grampian Mountains.
- Travel sections of The West Highland Way on foot and on incredible train journeys.
- Walk around the River Falloch.
- Have the experience of traveling on the Jacobite train, famous for appearing in the Harry Potter
- Travel along Glenfinnan's 21 viaducts.
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival in Ardlui
The start of this route will be Glasgow. From the airport, make your way to Queen Street Railway Station, where you will embark on an unforgettable train journey on the renowned West Highland Line to Ardlui. You can purchase the train ticket at the stations or through the website of the Scottish train company.
Overnight in Ardlui
Ardlui Hotel
The Ardlui Hotel is situated in the ancient heart of Scotland, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, the country's oldest and most spectacular national park. This hotel captures the serene essence of Loch Lomond with its relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
Day 2 - Ardlui to Crianlarich 9,5 miles I 15 km
You will start the day by crossing Loch Lomond. Once on the other side of the loch, the route will take you through the famous 200 metre high Glen Falloch valley. This valley mostly follows the course of the River Falloch, on the northern slopes of Beinn a' Chroin.
The path will continue to Crianlarich, a village surrounded by extensive glens and hills with beautiful waterfalls.
Ascent: 388m (1,273ft) / Descent: 412m (1,352ft)
The path will continue to Crianlarich, a village surrounded by extensive glens and hills with beautiful waterfalls.
Ascent: 388m (1,273ft) / Descent: 412m (1,352ft)
Overnight in Crianlarich
Crianlarich Hotel
This charming accommodation, built in the Victorian era, offers fully equipped rooms with a coffee/tea maker, television, hairdryer, and Wi-Fi. It is also well-known for their exquisite restaurant with an extensive and diverse menu. Here, you can experience the successful blend of historical charm, modern comfort, and local gastronomy.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
Day 3 - Crianlarich to Bridge of Orchy 13,5 miles I 22 km
You will walk through the Strath Fillan Valley and its river, named after the Irish monk St. Fillan, revered by King Robert I.
Further on, you will come across the village of Dalrigh, name meaning "The King's Field" and the place where the Battle of Dalry was fought, in which the Scottish army was defeated by the English Army.
Continue over Beinn Dorain, a pyramid-shaped hill, and descend to Bridge of Orchy.
Tyndrum: in case of unavailability at Bridge of Orchy you have your accommodation at Tyndrum. We will make the necessary arrangements for you to have the appropriate transfers between the locations.
Ascent: 367m (1,204ft) / Descent: 377m (1,236ft)
Further on, you will come across the village of Dalrigh, name meaning "The King's Field" and the place where the Battle of Dalry was fought, in which the Scottish army was defeated by the English Army.
Continue over Beinn Dorain, a pyramid-shaped hill, and descend to Bridge of Orchy.
Tyndrum: in case of unavailability at Bridge of Orchy you have your accommodation at Tyndrum. We will make the necessary arrangements for you to have the appropriate transfers between the locations.
Ascent: 367m (1,204ft) / Descent: 377m (1,236ft)
Overnight in Bridge of Orchy
Bridge of Orchy Hotel
This accommodation distinguishes itself with its rustic charm, welcoming family atmosphere, and excellent location on the main street of the village. You can enjoy its renovated luxurious rooms and wonderful views of the surrounding countryside.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
Day 4 - Bridge of Orchy to Spean Bridge 5 miles I 8 km
Before taking the train to Spean Bridge, you will enjoy a circular walk around Loch Tulla, inhabited by hundreds of salmon. Don´t forget to take your luggage with you today.
In the afternoon, you will take on your own account the West Highland Line, passing through beautiful moors, Loch Treig and Great Glen.
Ascent: 196m (643ft) / Descent: 196m (643ft)
In the afternoon, you will take on your own account the West Highland Line, passing through beautiful moors, Loch Treig and Great Glen.
Ascent: 196m (643ft) / Descent: 196m (643ft)
Overnight in Spean Bridge
Distant Hills Guest House
A haven of tranquility, the Distant Hills Guest House, located in the peaceful Highland village, offers comfortable and stylish rooms, quality beddings and towels, and free wifi throughout the property. Start your day right with their delicious gourmet breakfast made with the finest local ingredients!
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
All rooms have a private bathroom, a flat-screen TV, Wi-Fi and tea and coffee making facilities.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
All rooms have a private bathroom, a flat-screen TV, Wi-Fi and tea and coffee making facilities.
Day 5 - Spean Bridge to Fort William 12 miles I 19 km
A wooded path will be your route from Spean Bridge to Fort William, taking as its reference, Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK at 1,345 metres high, and located at the western end of the Grampian Mountains.
The walk ends at Fort William, a town known for the large number of outdoor activities that can be done there.
Ascent: 250m (820ft) / Descent: 307m (1,007ft)
The walk ends at Fort William, a town known for the large number of outdoor activities that can be done there.
Ascent: 250m (820ft) / Descent: 307m (1,007ft)
Overnight in Fort William
Myrtle Bank Guest House
This attractive 1890s Victorian villa is located by Loch Linnhe on the southern side of Fort William. Myrtle Bank Guest House offers a garden and terrace where guests can relax at the end of their walks. Enjoy cosy rooms with Wi-Fi, traditional decor and a private bathroom.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one
Day 6 - Enjoy your day in Fort William 10,4 miles I 16,8 km
Today you will enjoy a walk down the Ben Nevis Gorge to beautiful Steall Falls, Scotland's second-highest waterfall with a 120-metre drop.
At the end of the day, you will have an included transfer organized by us, back to Fort William for an overnight stay.
Ascent: 485m (1,591ft) / Descent: 354m (1,061ft)
At the end of the day, you will have an included transfer organized by us, back to Fort William for an overnight stay.
Ascent: 485m (1,591ft) / Descent: 354m (1,061ft)
Overnight in Fort William
Myrtle Bank Guest House
This attractive 1890s Victorian villa is located by Loch Linnhe on the southern side of Fort William. Myrtle Bank Guest House offers a garden and terrace where guests can relax at the end of their walks. Enjoy cosy rooms with Wi-Fi, traditional decor and a private bathroom.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one
Day 7 - Enjoy your day going by train to Mallaig
Today you'll have a memorable train journey from Fort William to Mallaig. Make sure you buy your regular train tickets from Citylink or if you prefer you can try to buy tickets for the iconic Jacobite train, famous for appearing in the Harry Potter films and rated by many as one of the best train journeys.
Don´t forget to take your luggage with you.
Enjoy the route that will allow you to have views from 700 metres up, pass through beautiful glens, and over the 21 viaducts at Glenfinnan.
The destination for today is Mallaig, gateway to the Isle of Skye and where you can tour a large fishing port.
Don´t forget to take your luggage with you.
Enjoy the route that will allow you to have views from 700 metres up, pass through beautiful glens, and over the 21 viaducts at Glenfinnan.
The destination for today is Mallaig, gateway to the Isle of Skye and where you can tour a large fishing port.
Overnight in Mallaig
The Moorings Guest House
Enjoy breathtaking views of the harbor and marina in a warm and welcoming atmosphere where comfort, quality, and relaxation take precedence. Ideally located on the marina front, the Moorings Guesthouse is just a 2/3-minute walk from the village center with all its amenities.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
Day 8 - Mallaig
You can return to Edinburgh via Glasgow, taking the Jacobite train or a bus.
If you are travelling by train, you will arrive at Haymarket Station in Edinburgh and if you travel by bus you will reach Princes Street Station.
End of our services.
If you are travelling by train, you will arrive at Haymarket Station in Edinburgh and if you travel by bus you will reach Princes Street Station.
End of our services.
Itinerary Map
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Services
Included
- Accommodation in en suite rooms in charming hotels
- Daily Breakfasts
- Luggage transfers between accommodations (except on days 4 and 7)
- Information dossier with maps and routes
- 24-hour telephone support
- Sustainable travel, we compensate the CO2 emissions of your trip
- Taxes
Extras
- Travel insurance
- Cancellation insurance
- Additional nights
Accomodation
General information
e accommodations with which we collaborate have a private bathroom and all the necessary services to ensure the best comfort available.
Our team checks in situ the quality of all the accommodations offered, so that you have an unforgettable experience during your trip.
The accommodation that we will book for your trip will be selected taking into account our commitment to you: guaranteeing comfort, calm and enjoyment throughout your trip.
We work with quality hotels and country cottages with limited capacity, so we invite you to confirm your reservation as soon as possible.
The name of each accommodation will be provided to you a few weeks before your trip begins.
Room types
It is possible to book this journey in single, double or triple rooms.
All rooms have private bathrooms.
Travel & Transfers
To get to the start of your route, my recommendation is to fly into Glasgow Airport, as it is the closest airport.
From there you can take the "500 Airport Express" bus to the "Dundas Street" stop. This bus runs every 10 minutes and is operated by "First Bus".
From Glasgow city centre you can take the train operated by "Scotrail" to Ardlui.
If you can't find suitable flights to Glasgow, another option would be to fly to Edinburgh, although from Edinburgh, you will need to take a bus to Glasgow (Megabus AIR).
At the end of your journey in Mallaig, you can always take the direct train back to Glasgow, operated by "Scotrail" or by combining buses 500 (to Fort William) + 914 or 915 (to Glasgow), operated by "Citylink".
From there you can take the "500 Airport Express" bus to the "Dundas Street" stop. This bus runs every 10 minutes and is operated by "First Bus".
From Glasgow city centre you can take the train operated by "Scotrail" to Ardlui.
If you can't find suitable flights to Glasgow, another option would be to fly to Edinburgh, although from Edinburgh, you will need to take a bus to Glasgow (Megabus AIR).
At the end of your journey in Mallaig, you can always take the direct train back to Glasgow, operated by "Scotrail" or by combining buses 500 (to Fort William) + 914 or 915 (to Glasgow), operated by "Citylink".
FAQs
Is luggage transfer included? What are the luggage requirements?
Absolutely! Each traveller has included 1 piece of luggage that we will transfer between your accommodations (except on days 4 and 7). It's important that this piece of luggage meets the following criterias:
- Maximum weight of 45 lbs (20 kg).
- Must be only 1 piece of luggage without any attachments or accessories.
- Should not contain valuables, fragile items, food or medications.
- Must be correctly identified (booking reference of your trip and the full name of the trip holder).
How far in advance should I book my trip?
This destination is usually booked 9-12 months in advance due to the high demand and limited availability of accommodation in the region.
We suggest you book as early as possible, as soon as you have defined your travel dates.
What equipment do I need to bring?
Once you make your reservation we will send you all the detailed information about the specific equipment you need for this route, considering recommendations for shoes, boots, clothes and a day-to day backpack.
We also suggest you bring repellent, as in wet areas you may encounter midges, depending on the time of year.
What transfers should I take into consideration?
This route has the following transfers:
- Day 2: At the start of the day, you will need to take the Waterbus from Ardlui to Ardleish on your own behalf. This will cost approximately 5 GBP and you can pay for it directly onsight. The journey takes approximately 25 minutes and runs every hour.
- Day 4: After exploring the surroundings of Bridge of Orchy, you will need to take a train on your own behalf from Bridge of Orchy to Spean Bridge, where you will spend the night. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes and tickets can be obtained at www.scotrail.co.uk. Remember to take your luggage with you.
- Day 6: At the end of the route in Steal Falls, you will have an included transfer (managed by Orbis Ways) to Fort William, where you will spend the night.
- Day 7: At the start of the day, you will need to take a train on your own behalf from Fort William to Mallaig, where you will spend the night. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes and tickets are available from www.scotrail.co.uk. You also have the option of doing the same journey, on the famous Jacobite train where you can experience the Harry Potter experience (for this you should check www.westcoastrailways.co.uk for tickets). Remember to take your luggage with you.
What if I'm not able to finish one of the stages?
You can travel by bus lines 913, 914, 915 and 916 operated by www.citylink.co.uk.
Some journeys can also be made by train (www.scotrail.co.uk).
If you prefer, you can call your 24-hour assistance department to check the availability of a private transfer, depending on your location.
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