What is included on a Rail & Hike Scotland tour?

Accommodation every night, luggage transfer between stops, train tickets for the rail sections, detailed route notes, and 24/7 support.

Is luggage transfer included on Rail & Hike Scotland trips?

Yes. Your main bag is transferred between accommodations on both hiking and rail travel days - you carry only a daypack.

Which regions does the Rail & Hike itinerary cover?

Our flagship route combines the Scottish Highlands and the Isle of Skye, linked by the West Highland Line and hiking days on each.

What hiking grade is a Rail & Hike Scotland trip?

Typically graded Moderate. Hiking days are shorter than a full point-to-point trail like the West Highland Way, balanced with scenic train travel.

Do I need a rental car for Rail & Hike Scotland?

No - that's the format's main advantage. Trains connect your hiking bases, so there's no need to arrange or return a rental car.

What gear do I need for a Rail & Hike trip?

Waterproof hiking boots, a waterproof jacket and layers for changeable weather on hiking days. A full gear list is included in your pre-trip information.

Can I customize a Rail & Hike Scotland itinerary?

Our Adventure Specialists can discuss extending hiking days or adding rest stops around the train schedule - contact us before booking to talk through options.

4.6(213)

Rail & Hike Tours in Scotland

Scotland's Rail & Hike tours combine scenic train travel with self-guided hiking days, no rental car required. Our Highlands and Isle of Skye Rail & Hike itinerary rides the West Highland Line before setting off on foot through some of Scotland's most dramatic scenery.

You'll travel by train between the Highlands and Skye, then hike sections of each on foot - Trotternish Ridge trails on Skye, glen paths near the Highlands' lochs and peaks. It's a format built for travelers who'd rather watch the scenery roll by than navigate rural roads.

Every Rail & Hike trip includes hand-picked accommodation, luggage transfers where applicable, and route notes from a local Scottish team with over 20 years of Scotland rail & hike expertise.

Hiking along the West Highland Line
ScotRail train on the platform
Highlands train journey
Fireside in a Scottish pub is a welcome reward!
Reach Inverness' Cawdor Castle on a Grand Tour of Scotland Rail & Hike
Time for whisky, your train conductor is your designated driver!

4 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
Scotland
4.6 (18)
Grand Tour of Scotland - 8 Days
Walking
8 days
Easy
from$3,490CAD pp
View Route

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When to go
May to September for the most reliable weather and the fullest West Highland Line timetable. September offers golden autumn colors along the rail route and quieter trails. These months are popular, book early!
What the trip is actually like
Days alternate between scenic train travel and self-guided hiking, typically covering the Highlands and Isle of Skye across 9–10 days. Route notes and train timetables are provided in advance.
Where you will stay
Local guesthouses, inns and small hotels near train stations and trailheads, chosen so each day's journey - by rail or on foot - starts and ends smoothly.
How fit do I need to be
Hiking days are typically graded Easy to Moderate, with 6 –12 miles and some ascent depending on the tour. Train travel days are a good chance to rest legs between hiking stages.
Is a car needed for a Rail & Hike trip
No. The whole point of the itinerary is train-based travel between hiking bases - one of the reasons it suits travelers who'd rather not drive on Scotland's rural roads.

Rail & Hike Tours in Scotland