Some of Our Favourite Local Walks
We have chosen our favourite four walks that are easy to get to and you don’t have to be a seasoned hillwalker to enjoy them. We hope you enjoy them as much as us!
Loch Morlich Circular
Loch Morlich has an amazing beach, one of the most instagrammable beaches in the UK along with it being the highest beach in the UK. The sand is very coarse as it is made from granite, so if you want to paddle bring your flip-flops. There is a charge to park at the Loch Morlich Beach car park and you can use the RingGo app to pay. This walk takes you through the Glenmore forest around the loch from the beach. There are great forest tracks round the loch with spectacular views of the Cairngorm Mountains along the way. The circuit is well marked with red markers the whole way round and is three and a half miles long. There are plenty of watersports available nearby and you can hire a canoe or a paddle board from the watersports centre at the beach.
Loch an Eilein Circular
You can walk here from Rothiemurchus visitor centre and shop or from Aviemore as there is a charge per person to use the Loch an Eilein car park, but there are toilets and it was voted Britain’s best picnic spot a few years ago. You can also choose to do the loop of the Loch either clockwise or anti-clockwise. The ruined castle on the island in the Loch helps make this walk one of the most popular in Scotland. There are good footpaths all the way round and it is about a 3 mile circuit all on the level. It’s a great family walk for old and young members of the family. It’s also a lovely spot for a paddle or even a swim!
This walk takes you through the Rothiemurchus estate with beautiful views through ancient pine forests to an ancient castle.
Uath Lochans and Farleitter Crag
The routes here are clearly marked with white and red markers depending on which route you take. The route to the view point at the Crag is on the red route. This does have a bit of a hill to climb but the views of the Spey Valley and Glenfeshie hills are worth it. The circuit is about two and half miles long and the paths are good but with the occasional uneven surface. The car park here is free and great for lunch by the lochans. It is a bit of a drive to get here and it is hidden away in the wild forests of Glenfeshie but it has to be our favourite walk of all.
From Aviemore take the B9152 south to Kincraig. Turn left opposite the war memorial, signposted for Feshiebridge, and follow the road through the village and across the river to a T-junction. Turn right here (signposted for Insh) and after a little less than ½ mile (800 metres), take a left fork signed as a no through road. Follow this road for 1 mile (1.6 km) and the car park is on your right.
Ryvoan Bothy & Lochan Uaine
A beautiful walk amongst ancient Caledonian pines leads to magical An Lochan Uaine – the green lochan. This enchanting loch is a fabulous colour of green and is surrounded by wonder. Some say the colour comes from the reflection of the trees, some believe it is from the algae within the loch, however legend has it that it’s from the fairies washing their clothes. Whatever you believe it is a stunning photo opportunity!
From here a detour with gentle climb leads up the Ryvoan pass taking you to Ryvoan Bothy. The return walk has good views of Loch Morlich and Cairngorm.
