5 minutes read time
Road tripping Scotland led us to do one of those things that some may regard as touristy, however, you have to sprinkle in a few of them here and there, after all we’re tourists. On our way to Fort William where we would spend the night, we thought it would be fun to go see the Jacobite steam train (aka the Hogwarts Express from the Harry Potter films) as it traversed the Glenfinnan Viaduct. After barely securing a parking spot, we joined the throngs of Harry Potter fans and set out on the short walk to find a good viewing spot in the surrounding hillside. As the rain began to sprinkle, then pour down, no one was deterred. We sat on that muddy hill and waited patiently for the train to arrive. The train typically crosses the viaduct around 10:45 a.m. and 3 p.m., making it a prime spot for photography.
The Jacobite Steam Train, is a magical railway experience that takes you through stunning Scottish landscapes. This 84-mile round trip runs from Fort William to Mallaig, passing breathtaking sights like Ben Nevis, Loch Morar, and the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct. If you’re planning a trip, you can book tickets online and enjoy one of the most scenic railway journeys in the world.
We left Fort William the following day, and with no rain in the forecast, decided to do a short hike to Paddy’s Bridge in the Glen Nevis area. The drive in was just a continuation of the spectacular views we’d been enjoying throughout our trip. It took us through the Glen Nevis Valley which was one of the filming locations for the movie Braveheart (1995). The village of Lanark was constructed at the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Britain. Though the set was dismantled after filming, the Braveheart Car Park remains as a landmark for visitors. We made a quick stop but there really wasn’t much to see. Moving right along, we bypassed the visitors centre as we’re not attempting to climb Ben Nevis on this day, instead, we headed to the Lower Falls parking lot which is a great starting point for the Paddy’s Bridge hike. This trail offers incredible views of the surrounding mountains and the River Nevis (aka the Waters of Nevis) that flows through it. It’s an easy 2-mile out-and-back route and takes about an hour to complete, depending on how much you stop and stare.
Just a short walk from the parking lot you’ll find the Lower Falls. This is a stunning waterfall and quite powerful for its size. The location is picturesque, easily accessible and offers breathtaking views of the River Nevis cascading over the rocky ledge. We found this to be the perfect place to spend a little time before continuing our walk. It was a beautiful day in May when the temperatures were cool but comfortable with just enough sunshine. There weren’t a lot of hikers on the trails as it wasn’t quite peak season yet.
Leaving the Lower falls area, we followed the clearly defined trail along the Waters of Nevis which had some beautiful, smaller waterfalls, large boulders and interesting rocks. This section of the trail is relatively flat and makes for an easy, pleasant walk. The surrounding forests features a variety of trees, predominantly pine, but also oak, hazel, and birch. The abundance of wildflowers added splashes of colour along this very serene walk.
There’s a moderately challenging uphill section of the walk along the river, so we took a short break before continuing. While the majority of the trail is relatively flat, the final approach to the bridge involves a gentle incline, making it a bit more demanding than the rest of the route, but as hikes go, not bad at all. The climb offers even more stunning views of the surrounding Highlands including the Polldubh Crags rock climbing area.
On our approach to Paddy’s Bridge, we found the area to be full of lush greenery, including mosses and lichens that thrive in the damp, shaded environment giving it a surreal look. The combination of moist air, rocky surfaces, and dense foliage creates the perfect conditions for various types of lichens to grow. The moss-covered rocks and tree trunks near add to the mystical, untouched beauty of the landscape, making it a great spot for nature lovers and photographers. This was an unexpected sight for us, quite a nice surprise.
Paddy’s Bridge itself is a charming wooden crossing that provides a lovely vantage point over the tumbling waters of Nevis. This is a great place to sit and enjoy the sound of the rushing water and the beauty of the nature that surrounds you. There are other waterfalls further up the trail, but this would be our turn around point. For a more challenging trek, you could continue heading along this path toward Steall Falls, Scotland’s second highest waterfall. Steall Waterfall has also made appearances in pop culture, notably in the Harry Potter films, where it was featured in scenes from The Goblet of Fire and The Half-Blood Prince.
As we made our way out of the park, our thinking was that the only thing left to top off our day would be to see some Highland cows. Cue the cows! We finally spotted the herd. Seeing the Highland cows was a highlight for us. These long-haired “hippie” cows, very cool.
Scotland is a hiker’s paradise, offering breathtaking landscapes and diverse trails for all levels of adventurers. From rugged mountains to serene coastal paths, there’s something for everyone. See more of our day hikes in Scotland by clicking the following links https://trandyescapes.com/2024/07/04/the-bone-caves-a-quick-stop-on-scotlands-nc-500/ https://trandyescapes.com/2024/10/11/discover-the-fairy-pools-a-gem-of-scotlands-isle-of-skye/
Discover more from Trandy Escapes
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.