Exploration
10 hidden adventures in The Cairngorms
With 113 square miles of rugged terrain at your disposal, there’s still plenty to discover in Scotland's stunning Cairngorms.
Twice the size of the Lake District, Scotland’s Cairngorms are rife with mountains, forest trails, lochs, wildlife hotspots, climbing routes, and more. It’s also a land of extremes: the UK’s lowest ever temperature of -27.2oC has been recored there, in 1895 and again in 1982. If that wasn’t enough, the UK’s highest windspeed (150 knots, or 173 mph!) was recorded at the Cairngorm summit. It’s also home to the vast majority of the country’s wildcats...
The Cairngorms are a must to visit for a great British summer. To help you and your friends maximise your time and take advantage of the sheer abundance of adventures on offer, we’ve compiled the ultimate guide to under the radar adventures in the Cairngorms.
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1. Hit Loch Einich mountain bike trail by dawn light
The MTB trails around Loch Einich are stunning
© Eric Smith
“This breezy 22km out and back route is best done early in the morning or late at night,” says Eric Smith (@chopper.smith), a cycle and adventure enthusiast, and member of Cairngorms-based MTB group Phat Boys Club. “This gives you the chance to enjoy the stunning scenery in magical dawn or sunset light, taking in 215m elevation. The route is a simple one to navigate. Beginning at Rothiemurchus campsite, head straight for the loch. The first half is a gentle up-hill with the nearby cliffs your destination. Enjoy the views, then retrace your route downhill all the way back."
2. Track rivers and wildlife on the Gaick Pass
You never know what wildlife you'll see at Gaick Pass
© Eric Smith
“The Gaick Pass is an old drover's route which connects Strathspey with Perthshire,” explains Eric. “While not overly technically challenging, this stunning route will still deliver thrills, especially considering the wildlife you’ll encounter and the handful of required river crossings [be careful after heavy rain]. From Kingussie, head to Glen Tromie which leads to the Gaick Pass. A map will help. If you want to break the route up into smaller chunks, or use any markers, it’s possible to do this using the rail network, with stations at Kingussie to the North, and Blair Atholl to the South."
3. Slackline in an ancient Scots Pine Forest
For something a little bit different why not try slacklining?
© Eric Smith
“Abernethy Forest, Nethy Bridge, is famous for its ancient Caledonian Pine trees. The historic forest is also famous for red squirrel, deer, and pine marten,” enthuses Eric. “It’s the perfect place to set up a quick slackline session should you have your own gear. Once done on the ropes, have a swim in the Horse pool on the river Nethy — look for the small beach on the riverside path, which leads from the village hall."
4. Swim at Loch Morlich Beach
Go paddleboarding or swimming in Loch Morlich
© Seema Miah on Unsplash
While Loch Ness might not be located too close to the Cairngorms’ Loch Morlich, there’s every chance you’ll meet some of her relatives here. What we can guarantee, however, is stunning scenery, crystal clear water and some of the best wild swimming around. You can always go windsurfing if you'd like to take things next level. Naturally, you’ll want to swim with a group for safety, and head to the loch-side cafe afterwards for copious amounts of coffee and cake.
5. Scale Meall a Bhuachaille At Sunset
For the best sunset in Scotland look no further than Bhuachaille
© Sophie Radcliffe
“If you want to see the best sunset in the Cairngorms, this is your mountain,” advises Sophie Radcliffe (Challengesophie.com), an endurance athlete, blogger, and speaker. “One Friday evening I downed tools, drove to the mountain and set off to run up all 810 metres of it. Standing on the summit, I couldn’t believe there was no-one else around. You constantly get this sense of ‘Why is no-one else here’ in Scotland. It’s just divine to have these incredible places to yourself! A seven mile round trip to the summit and back from the car is doable for any moderately fit person. You could also stay at the Ryvoan Bothy and head up from there for sunrise…"
6. Hoof it across East Highland Way
See how many Highland cows you can spot along the way
© Rumman Amin on Unsplash
From deep lochs to the top of the rocks, the Highlands never disappoints. With only intermediate experience, you can manage the 82 mile East Highland Way between Fort William, in the shadow of Ben Nevis to Aviemore in the Cairngorms. In fact, you won’t be a million miles away from Loch Morlich, so why not treat a swim as the perfect reward for a few day’s hoofing? Along the way you’ll pass ancient forests, castles, river crossings, wildlife, lochs, rushing mountain streams – not least around Newtonmore. And if you actually want to climb Ben Nevis and Aviemore, you’ll definitely deserve that swim.
7. Run (or walk) the Lairig Ghru
Whether walking or running, the Lairig Ghru trail is an action-packed route
© Lairig Ghru
“The Lairig Ghru is one of Scotland’s classic trails, running right through the heart of the Cairngorms,” says Sophie. “It’s about 20 miles long with bothies at either end, where you can stay, if you like. If you want an epic adventure in the Cairngorms, go for this! The day we explored the sky was so blue and the snow so white. The smouldering cloud made it feel like we’d walked through some kind of wardrobe and entered a different kingdom."
8. Explore the Cairngorm Plateau
Sophie taking a selfie on Cairngorm Plateau
© Sophie Radcliffe
“The wilderness of the Cairngorm plateau is unlike anything else I’ve seen,” says Sophie. “I spent days exploring up there without seeing anyone apart from a herd of reindeer. The weather can be pretty extreme so make sure you are prepared with the right kit, experience and if required, someone to guide you.”
If you want to really dial it up, try ascending one of the Cairngorm’s mountain faces on your way up.
9. Go foraging by paddleboard
Foraging and paddleboarding in Cairngorms National Park
© Edsmithphotography.com
The stand-up paddle board craze isn't going anywhere, so you may as well buy a board and get involved. Despite usually freezing waters, Scotland is actually a prime location for honing your craft. The Cairngorms’ Loch Morlich Watersports can help you hit the water in style, with access to instructors, and paddle board tours during which you’ll forage for botanicals that you'll later use to make your own gin at the distillery.
10. Spend the night in the wild at Ryvoan Bothy
The Ryvoan Bothy is maintained by volunteers
© Getty
“Bothies are mountain shelters that are free for anyone to use and are scattered across Scotland,” explains Sophie. “Some date back over 100 years, when they were used as shepherd huts. Now they provide a welcome base for adventure enthusiasts hiking, climbing or skiing in the mountains. Ryvoan Bothy is one of the more frequently visited bothies as it’s accessible within an hour’s walk. We spent a really fun night there cooking food round the fire, sharing whisky and learning about bothy culture from the seasoned mountaineers we shared it with."