The Cairngorms National Park was established in 2003, and later extended in 2010.It isour largest national park almost twice the size of the Lake District and is home to four of the five highest mountains in Britain. The park is pockmarked with60 lochs and many more lochans (small lochs), along with morethan half the surviving Caledonian forest.
A quarter of Britains threatened animal, plant, insect and fungi species are found in the Cairngorms, some of which are endemic to the park.
Zip up your coat, strap on your walking boots and get ready to explore the still lochs,rushing rivers andrugged landscape of the Cairngorms National Park.
Our guide to the most beautiful hikes in the Cairngorms National Park, including route descriptions and maps.
Step carefully beneath golden larches, towering Scots pines and over magnificent mountain ash roots in pursuit of a roaring Cairngorms cascade.
Loch Garten, Highland
Loch Gartens ancient trees, tottering wood-ant nests, soaring ospreys and grazing deer make it one of Scotlands most beautiful nature reserves.
Loch Morlich, Highland
There are few lochs in Scotland that have a more picture-perfect surrounding than Loch Morlich. The foregroundcomprises forests fringed by beaches and backdropped by snow-clad peaks. Circling the loch is a very popular walk amongtourists and locals alike.
Loch an Eilein, Highland
Loch an Eilein lies still, reflecting the magnificent pines of Rothiemurchus Forestin the heart of the Cairngorms. Castle ruins inhabit a small island, making for a truly unique walk.
Glenmore Forest Park and Ryvoan pass, Aberdeenshire
Ancient Caledonian pines form a beautiful walkway leading to the Green Lochan An Lochan Uaine. A gentle climb leads up the Ryvoan pass, with breathtaking views of Loch Morlich.
Glen Lui, Aberdeenshire
Discover this historic glen in the Cairngorms National Park, through which the Lui Water tumbles and turns amid the ancient Caledonian Pine Forest.
Glen Tilt, Perthshire
This walk can be done in one go or spread over two days with a wild camp overlooking the beautiful and dramatic Glen Tilt.About half of the route uses footpaths and lanes but the other half in trackless, requiring a level of map reading and compass skills.
Carrbridge and Docharn circuit, Highland
Follow a trail of pleasant pinewoods around Carrbridge, stopping to savour this magnificent rushing river and the stone that bridges over it. Carrbridge walking route and map with Walking Highlands.
River Dee,Braemar, Aberdeenshire
A circular walk starting from Braemar takes in the confluence of the two main rivers, the Dee and the Clunie. It then climbs gently through birch woods to return to the centre of the village.River Dee walking route and map with Walking Highlands.
Loch Muick, Aberdeenshire
An unusually level walk in the Cairngorms, around Loch Muick on the Balmoral Estate. The walk provides stunning views of the Scottish scenery. You can also see Glas-allt Shiel house, built by Queen Victoria. Loch Muick walking route and map with Walking Highlands.
Pattack Falls and Druim an Aird, Highland
Take a relaxing amble through varied landscapes, passing the Pattack gorge waterfalls before exploring the ruins of the deserted village of Druim an Aird. Pattack Falls walking route and map with Walking Highlands.