Highland Rails, Ferries & Family Trails: Fort William to Knoydart

This five-day trip takes a gentler, more varied approach to the western Highlands, combining short walks with iconic transport and memorable overnight stops. You start in Fort William with easy access to forest trails and lochside viewpoints beneath Ben Nevis, then travel the celebrated West Highland Line to Mallaig, one of the most beautiful rail journeys anywhere in Britain. From there, a ferry carries you into roadless Knoydart, where adventure begins the moment you step ashore.

The emphasis is on accessibility and atmosphere rather than mileage. Walks are chosen for strong scenery and manageable effort: glen paths, coastal tracks around Inverie and sections that let younger hikers or less experienced adults enjoy the landscape without battling full mountain terrain. There is time to linger for hot chocolate, watch boats come and go, and learn how communities function in places where roads simply do not reach.

What makes this route special is the layering of experiences. One day you are wandering under Highland peaks near Glen Nevis; the next you are on the train past lochs and sea inlets toward Mallaig; soon after, you are crossing to Knoydart and settling into a village that feels wonderfully detached from the modern rush. It is the Highlands through movement, contrast and story, not just through endurance.

This trip suits families with active teenagers, multigenerational groups and couples looking for a relaxed scenic break. Accommodation is comfortable and characterful, typically mixing hotels or guesthouses in Fort William and Mallaig with a few nights in Inverie. Summer is ideal for stable ferry schedules and longer days, though May and June are especially beautiful when the landscape is vividly green and the crowds are lighter.