What's included on a rail and hike tour?

Accommodation each night, breakfast, the rail tickets listed in your itinerary, route notes and GPS maps in the Macs Adventure app, and 24/7 support. Some trips add dinners, ferries or a Glacier Express lunch. Flights aren't included.

Are train tickets included?

Generally yes. The rail legs in your itinerary are booked for you on some tours, while on others you are given a timetable and a rail service and secure your tickets based around your preferences. Any extra train travel you add yourself is paid separately.

Is luggage transfer included?

Luggage transfers are arranged as set out in each itinerary, mostly on walking days. Your trip notes confirm exactly which days. Pack one bag per person plus a daypack.

Which countries offer rail and hike tours?

Scotland, England, Norway and Switzerland. Scotland has the most choice, from the 5-day Edinburgh to Inverness Escape to the 13-day Grand Tour of Scotland.

Can I do a rail and hike tour solo?

Yes. Solo-friendly pricing is available, the trains and trails are simple to navigate on your own, and 24/7 support is there if plans change.

What grade are rail and hike tours?

Mostly Easy to Moderate. Oslo to Bergen is Moderate. Grades and daily distances are shown on every tour page.

Can I customize a rail and hike tour?

Within reason, yes. Our Adventure Specialists can add nights, extend the hiking days or change your start date. Contact us before booking to talk through options.

A red Glacier Express train crosses a bridge in Switzerland with mountain backdrop

4.6(263)

Rail and Hike Tours

Rail and hike tours are one of the most relaxed ways to take a hiking vacation. Watch the scenery roll past from the train, then step off and walk it. Nobody drives or backtracks, and we curate the journey around rail schedules, arrange your accommodations and luggage transfers as set out in each itinerary.

Ride the West Highland Line over the Glenfinnan Viaduct and walk sections of the West Highland Way. Cross Norway's Hardangervidda plateau on the Bergen Railway, or take the Glacier Express to Zermatt. In England, link the Lake District with the Yorkshire Dales, or the Cotswolds with the Cornwall coast.

These Discovery trips are built to cover more ground, and Macs Adventure has designed self-guided routes for 20+ years, so the connections work.

Hiking through a village in the Cotswolds
Hiking in Switzerland via the Glacier Express
Railway along the Cornwall coast
A railway viaduct over Loch Shiel in Scotland
Explore vibrant Bergen
Always time for Yorkshire baked goods!

8 hand-picked routes

Scotland
4.4 (97)
The Highlands & Isle of Skye: Rail & Hike
Walking
5–8 days
Easy - Moderate
from$2,710CAD pp
View Route
Scotland
4.7 (64)
West Highland Line: Rail & Hike
Walking
8 days
Easy - Moderate
from$2,935CAD pp
View Route
Scotland
4.8 (34)
Grand Tour of Scotland: Rail & Hike
Walking
13 days
Easy - Moderate
from$5,530CAD pp
View Route
Norway
4.5 (24)
Oslo to Bergen: Rail & Hike
Walking
10 days
Moderate
from$5,650CAD pp
View Route
Scotland
4.6 (18)
Grand Tour of Scotland - 8 Days
Walking
8 days
Easy
from$3,490CAD pp
View Route
England
4.7 (10)
Discover England: The Lake District to Yorkshire Dales
Walking
8 days
Easy - Moderate
from$3,005CAD pp
View Route
Switzerland
4.7 (9)
The Glacier Express Rail and Hike
Walking
8 days
Easy - Moderate
from$4,745CAD pp
View Route
England
4.9 (7)
Discover England: Cotswolds to the Cornwall Coast
Walking
10 days
Easy - Moderate
from$4,445CAD pp
View Route

Real photos, real stories, straight from the trail

Over 26,000 travelers strong, our community shares #MacsMoments, swaps tips and advice, and helps each other plan the perfect trip. Many connect long before they set off - and some even meet up on the trail!

I'm headed back to the states and have a mixture of emotions. So much to process. I feel like a different person!
October 2026
Camino de Santiago, Spain
Thank you Macs for the brilliant adventure! We loved all the accommodations provided
June 2026
West Highland Way, Scotland
October 2026
Hadrian's Wall Path, England
June 2026
Cotswolds to the Cornwall Coast, England
August 2026
Via Alpina, Switzerland
In fact, if you're looking for sensory magic, give this trip a try
October 2026
Walking the Dordogne in Style, France

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When to go
Scotland runs April to October, with May, September and October great for weather. Norway's Oslo to Bergen route is best from July to mid-September, and the Glacier Express trip from late June to mid-September. England is best in spring and fall.
How much of the trip is hiking
It varies. For Scotland Rail & Hikes, the main hiking days cover about 4 to 15 miles depending on the tour. The Glacier Express trip keeps hikes to roughly 3 to 10 miles around its train days and there are plenty of options to take cable cars & gondolas up or down to cut daily mileage. Our Discover England Rail & Hikes offer flexible daily hiking options for first time hikers.
Where you stay
Hand-picked small 3 and 4-star hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses, chosen near stations and trailheads. Norway uses traditional 3-star mountain and fjord hotels, and the Glacier Express trip uses 3-star alpine hotels.
How fit do I need to be
Most are Easy to Moderate and suit regular walkers. Oslo to Bergen is Moderate, with walks of 3 to 6 hours and ascents up to 775m (about 2,540 ft), so it asks for more stamina.
Do I need a rental car
No. Trains, plus the occasional ferry or bus, link your bases, so there's nothing to drive or return. It suits travelers who'd rather not tackle Scotland's single-track roads.
What is a Discovery trip
A trip designed to cover more of a region, using rail or self-drive between hiking bases, with as much walking as you want. Most of our rail and hike trips are Discovery trips.

Rail and Hike Tours