Across Knoydart - Glenfinnan to Inverie
A hard walk (low hills and fells (below 600m)) starting and finishing in Highlands, Scotland, about 39.90km (24.79 mi) long with an estimated walking time of about 15:15h (1 overnight stay). It is unsuitable for families with children, prams & pushchairs, wheelchairs.
Elevation Profile
Ascent
1293m (4242ft)
Descent
1354m (4442ft)
Max. Elevation
530m (1738ft)
Altitude Gain & Loss
2647m (8684ft)
Start
Glenfinnan
Distance
39.90km
(24.79mi)
(24.79mi)
Duration
~15:15h
Difficulty
Hard
Ordnance Survey Maps
This two-day walk must rank as one of Scotland's finest. Starting from Glenfinnan, you walk into the southern side of Knoydart peninsular and pass through stunning mountain scenery as you climb in and out of the remote valleys. There are two superb bothies on route for an overnight stay, and despite this being a remote place, the path is pretty good in most places. Finish in Inverie, a fantastic walkers' village a short ferry-ride from the train station in Mallaig. If time allows, stay for an extra day for one of the many fine walks from Inverie. This walk can of course be done in either direction (there is also a bunkhouse at Glenfinnan station) but to my mind Inverie is the perfect place to end a walk of this stature.
One word of warning - this is remote, lonely country. While there are no major challenges for an experienced walker, in bad weather this will be a challenge with no escape routes. Come well prepared!
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Glenfinnan to Inverie
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- $walk->POI array(0)
Waypoints
OS Grid NM898809
Take the train to Glenfinnan. Head down the access slope and then turn left, heading downhill into the village.
OS Grid NM905808
Just before the river, take the track heading into Glenfinnan. If you reach the visitor centre and monument, you've gone too far.
About 0.78 km (~0.48 miles) from 
OS Grid NM909813
Look out for the Harry Potter fans taking photos of the viaduct. Continue along the track.
About 0.62 km (~0.39 miles) from 
OS Grid NM911827
The track leads through a conifer plantation, with glimpses of the mountains ahead.
About 1.43 km (~0.89 miles) from 
OS Grid NM913844
A good spot to stop for some tea. This bothy even has a working kettle, thanks to electricity provided by the Corryhully estate.
About 1.65 km (~1.03 miles) from 
OS Grid NM923855
The track leads steadily uphill, past the two Glenfinnan Munros with Streap towering above the other side. A straightforward route into the bulk of the walk.
About 1.57 km (~0.98 miles) from 
OS Grid NM942868
When you reach the highest point of the pass, you get your first proper views of Knoydart and the hills ahead.
About 2.27 km (~1.41 miles) from 
OS Grid NM960887
Drop down the other side alongside the river. There's the makings of a path on the west side of the river, but you can also make your way along the eastern side.
About 2.61 km (~1.62 miles) from 
OS Grid NM967906
Cross the river Pean by the bridge, then turn left to follow the muddy track into the forest.
About 2.01 km (~1.25 miles) from 
OS Grid NM974912
Normally I am no fan of walking through forests, but on a sunny day this one is actually a treat, with plenty of birdlife. At the first junction on the forestry road, turn left into Glen Dessarry.
About 0.93 km (~0.58 miles) from 
OS Grid NM963923
The track weaves through the forest on the northern side of Monadh Gorm.
About 1.54 km (~0.96 miles) from 
OS Grid NM943924
At the far end of the plantation, hidden from view until you reach it, is A' Chuil bothy. There's a short cut through the last few trees to the bothy. It's a wonderful spot to pass the first night, with mountains across the Glen as you cook your dinner.
About 2.02 km (~1.26 miles) from 
OS Grid NM936929
Day two starts along the same track you dropped off the previous day.
About 0.90 km (~0.56 miles) from 
OS Grid NM926937
There are a few tracks in the forest, but by watching which side of the stream you should be, it's easy to find your way through. If in doubt, take the right fork each time and you will at least be on the right side.
About 1.23 km (~0.76 miles) from 
OS Grid NM907948
The track heads into the high-level valley, past two lochans. This is the start of 'proper Knoydart'...
About 2.16 km (~1.34 miles) from 
OS Grid NM900943
The path sticks to the southern side of the lochans.
About 0.93 km (~0.58 miles) from 
OS Grid NM890944
Once beyond the second lochan, make sure you cross the stream and find the path that heads uphill. If you follow the stream, you reach a rocky chasm with a waterfall that you really don't want to be climbing down. The track is not visible from below, so use common sense to make sure you are on it.
About 0.96 km (~0.6 miles) from 
OS Grid NM886945
The track meanders through the rocks, before dropping very steeply down into the next valley.
About 0.41 km (~0.25 miles) from 
OS Grid NM879944
There are some spectacular waterfalls feeding into the Finiskaig river as you descend.
About 0.74 km (~0.46 miles) from 
OS Grid NM867950
One of Scotland's best-known and best-loved bothies, Sourlies is a wonderful place. The views out across the loch will tell you why so many come here.
About 1.27 km (~0.79 miles) from 
OS Grid NM862954
This is a surprisingly tricky bit of the walk. You need to avoid following deer tracks up the near side of the valley (like I did) and head across towards the ruined buildings. There is a bridge to aim for nearby. But use your map and common sense; the land in between is extremely boggy (we're talking waist-deep in places).
About 0.59 km (~0.37 miles) from 
OS Grid NM865965
Cross the bridge and head past the ruins to the track leading uphill.
About 1.13 km (~0.7 miles) from 
OS Grid NM859973
After 1.5 days of walking, this final climb is not particularly welcome. Steep, relentless and with views of the grass ahead can make it a slog. Take your time and pause for a biscuit halfway up, to enjoy the views back across to where you've come from.
About 1.07 km (~0.66 miles) from 
OS Grid NM851980
The final climb! It's all downhill from here.
About 1.10 km (~0.68 miles) from 
OS Grid NM838980
Enjoy the long descent into Gleann Meadail, safe in the knowledge that the pub in Inverie is open all day.
About 1.22 km (~0.76 miles) from 
OS Grid NM798988
Cross the first bridge you meet on the track out of the valley. The path along the river might appear more inviting on the map, but it's barely there and passes through very muddy, overgrown land.
About 4.08 km (~2.54 miles) from 
OS Grid NM793989
There's a monument just outside Inverie to guide you along the last few steps.
About 0.52 km (~0.32 miles) from 
OS Grid NM777998
There are signs of where to go as you head into Inverie.
About 1.84 km (~1.14 miles) from 
OS Grid NM774995
The end! Inverie is the perfect place to finish a two-day walk as epic as this. There's a great pub that does food, a small shop (nb not open all the time so don't rely on it for dinner) and a bunkhouse and campsite.
About 0.44 km (~0.27 miles) from 
Campsite/bunkhouseOS Grid NM774991
Head to Long Beach for the campsite or bunkhouse - the perfect view for the night before getting the ferry to Mallaig the next day.
About 0.39 km (~0.24 miles) from 
2 comments... join the discussion!
Francis Corbett
Really enjoyed it. Walked last weekend and made the ferry with 5 minutes to spare.
Timwoods
Apologies to Chadwin - he has already posted this route! www.carfreewalks.org/walks/995/glenfinnan_to_inverie