Cairngorms National Park
The Cairngorms is a playground for wildlife lovers, hill climbers, thrill seekers and more.
Why we love the Cairngorms National Park
It’s little wonder that Balmoral Castle in the Cairngorms is such an iconic estate. In the heart of the Britain’s largest National Park, this Scottish estate has been a regal retreat since the mid-1800s, surrounded by high peaks, thundering rivers and deep glens (valleys) – but this untamed landscape extends far beyond Balmoral’s borders.
In winter, the plateau’s high altitude – above 1,000m (3280ft) on average – near-guarantees snow on the mountains, attracting skiers and snowboarders alike. In summer, those same summits are paradise for cyclists and walkers, while kayakers and rafters splash through the rivers and lochs.
From whisky tasting to wild swimming, here’s how to squeeze maximum adventure into your Cairngorms trip.
Walk on the wild side
Love a hike in the hills? Give Munro bagging a go. Any peak over 3,000ft (914.4m) is classed as a ‘Munro’, and the Cairngorms has more than 50 to choose from: when you’ve climbed one, you’ve ‘bagged’ it. For a multi-day hike, hit the 82 mile (132 km) East Highland Way, while the park’s lochs and forests offer gentler paths, and Balmoral’s flower-filled grounds are open to the public too.
Get a fresh perspective
Splash, swim and sail your way through the lochs of the Cairngorms, discovering the wild waterways that nourish this land. Options include white water rafting on the River Spey, canoeing at Loch Insh, wild swimming at Loch Morlich, tubing on the River Feshie – and much more.
Sip a whisky – or two
If you’re looking for breweries and distilleries in the Cairngorms, we’ve got you covered. Toast your trip at one of the National Park’s famous whisky distilleries: the likes of Dalwhinnie, Royal Lochnagar and Glenlivet all offer tours and tastings, with a chance to see the stills in action. In Aviemore, Cairngorm Brewery also brews a fine local ale, while Persie and Balmenach distilleries are renowned for their gins.
Hit the snowy slopes
Believe it or not, Scotland has five ski resorts – and the Cairngorms is home to three of them. The Cairngorms’ ski resorts, Lecht, Glenshee and Cairngorm Mountain Resort, have pistes for all abilities, with plentiful ski lifts, tuition and equipment hire. Whether you’re a skier, snowboarder or sledger, the season usually runs from December to April.
Venture out on two wheels
Whether you’re a wobbly beginner or an MTB pro, there are cycling routes for all abilities in the Cairngorms. When the winter ice thaws, road racers love the summertime highs of the ‘Snow Roads’, while mountain bikers use the Cairnwell ski lift to access Glenshee’s white-knuckle descents. Ask your rental company – such as Aviemore Bikes – about their favourite trails too.
Spot some animal antics
Discover the wildlife in the Cairngorms National Park, with red squirrels in the forests, golden eagles in its skies, and even free-range reindeer in the mountains. To explore even deeper – and maybe even spot rare wildcats and capercaillie birds – join a guided walk or tour with a park ranger, offered by estates such as Rothiemurchus and Balmoral.
Things to do in the Cairngorms National Park
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Landmark Forest Adventure Park
The Glenlivet Distillery
Braemar Chocolate Shop
Cairngorm Mountain
Rothiemurchus
Anderson’s Restaurant
Loch Insh Outdoor Centre
Abernethy National Nature Reserve
Balmoral Castle
Ruthven Barracks
Ski Cairngorms
G2 Adventure Hub, Aviemore
Festive meal on the Strathspey Railway
Outlander filming locations
The Craig Bar
Highland Folk Museum
Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival
Aviemore Stone Circle
Ballindalloch Castle
Nethybridge Hotel
Speyside Wildlife
The Crown filming locations
Glenmore Forest Park
Highlands Wildscapes
Pine Marten Bar and Scran
Wild Braemar
Wilderness Scotland
The Bookmark
Whisky Castle
Wild Discovery
Lochnagar
Landmark Forest Adventure Park
The Glenlivet Distillery
Braemar Chocolate Shop
Cairngorm Mountain
Rothiemurchus
Anderson’s Restaurant
Loch Insh Outdoor Centre
Abernethy National Nature Reserve
Balmoral Castle
Ruthven Barracks
Ski Cairngorms
G2 Adventure Hub, Aviemore
Festive meal on the Strathspey Railway
Outlander filming locations
The Craig Bar
Highland Folk Museum
Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival
Aviemore Stone Circle
Ballindalloch Castle
Nethybridge Hotel
Speyside Wildlife
The Crown filming locations
Glenmore Forest Park
Highlands Wildscapes
Pine Marten Bar and Scran
Wild Braemar
Wilderness Scotland
The Bookmark
Whisky Castle
Wild Discovery
Lochnagar
Featured things to do
Homeward bound
Scotland’s magnificent ospreys return from their migration in April. To see them in flight, head to Loch Garten Nature Centre or Aviemore Ospreys’ photography hides.
Learn more about wildlife in the Cairngorms National Park (opens in a new tab)
Get active
Pack your days with adventure! Summer days bring up to 18 hours of sunlight in the Cairngorms, so there’s maximum time for cycling, windsurfing, road tripping and more.
Learn more about outdoor activities in the Cairngorms National Park (opens in a new tab)
The clash
You’ll hear the roars of the rutting red deer long before you see them. This annual battle for dominance is an awe-inspiring sight, so join a wildlife tour for a closer look.
Learn more about the red deer rut in the Cairngorms (opens in a new tab)
Lucky lights
Not only does the Cairngorms offer superb stargazing, but it’s one of Britain’s top places for spotting the Northern Lights. Look out for special winter events at Glenlivet Estate.
Learn more about the Northern Lights in the Cairngorms (opens in a new tab)Places to stay in the Cairngorms National Park
Historic estates
For fine dining, fabulous facilities and luxurious bedrooms, treat yourself to a stay in a traditional Scottish manor.
On-the-go campervans
Follow your heart on a campervan trip, exploring all of the National Park’s hidden corners and snoozing under the stars.
Self-catering gems
Tuck up in a mountainside log cabin, cottage or glamping retreat, for a far-flung adventure you’ll never forget.
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Getting to the Cairngorms National Park
The Cairngorms National Park sits between the cities of Inverness (a 30-minute drive to the north-west) and Aberdeen (one hour to the east), both of which have airports with international and domestic connections, as well as good rail and bus links. If you’re travelling from London, take the Caledonian Sleeper train: it departs London Euston at around 9pm, arriving into Aviemore just before 8am.
Getting around
If time is tight, hiring a car is the most convenient way to get around – but it’s also easy to navigate the region by bike, train, bus and foot, with occasional taxis to remote spots. Aviemore is the national park’s main public transport hub, offering a wealth of accommodation options and tour operators; buses and trains depart from Grampian Road, and there are bike-rental companies too.
By electric car
Want your own wheels? Go electric for a lighter carbon footprint: there are EV chargers throughout the Cairngorms, and in some hotel car parks too.
By steam train
Travel back in time on the Strathspey Steam Railway, which chugs between Aviemore and Broomhill – in the picturesque north of the national park.
By bike
From white-knuckle mountain trails at Laggan Wolftrax, to gentle jaunts around Loch an Eilein, there are plenty of invigorating cycling routes in the Cairngorms.
Want to know more?
For the latest travel advice, expert tips and more fun-filled things to do, check out the National Park’s official website.