Aviemore gets called the gateway to the Cairngorms, which is accurate but doesn’t really tell you anything. Here’s what actually makes it worth the drive
The gateway to the Cairngorm National park, if you’re an avid outdoors person, you’re looking into the right area. From hiking, skiing, photography, watersports, photography, this is my insight and guide to this great town, as your base for exploring the Cairngorms and beyond. Having lived in the area most of last summer I spent a lot of time catching the bus into town and exploring what was to offer!
Being a seasoned local for a while I manage to tick off quite a bit, figure out what was worth doing, and what wasn’t.
My time spent was mostly over summer, from June all the way to early November. Despite being a year-round destination, the following recommendations will be ones you can do when there are little to no snowfall. Crazily, the Cairngorm National Park covers roughly 4,500km square km’s, making it twice the size of Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park (if you are brushed up on your Scottish landmarks and geography)
So read along for your next adventure!
What to know before visiting Aviemore & Cairgorm National Park
- Pick your season. Scotland is most popular during the summer months, from April all the way through to September. Longer days, less rain, better weather etc. Perfect conditions for hiking, however, September to March, expect colder/shorter days, snowfall, great conditions for winter sports.
- Budget expectations. All self-guided trails are free (obviously), you can look into paid guides to take you on different mountains, to learn more and connect with likeminded people. Any other canyoneering, canoeing, kayaking activities can range from $10-$100 USD, depending on the activity. A weekend away you should probably look at at least $50-100 per day.
- How long to spend there. You can easily do most of the Cairngorm activities in a few days, no more than a week is a perfect amount.
- What to pack. Scotland is notorious for unpredictable weather, pack breathable clothing, water resistant jackets and a pair of great hiking trainers/boots. That is the non-negotiables, regardless of the weather. Ankle supported footwear is not necessary, all comes to personal preference. That goes the same for hiking poles also.
What apps to download before visiting Aviemore
- The obvious answer here is AllTrails. You have access to hiking reviews from recent visitors along with their personal photos. With hiking duration, distance, difficulty and offline navigation, I cannot sing AllTrails praises enough. You’ll have access to a public database with real time updates, community reviews and crowd-sourced information on trail conditions. Ensures a higher level of safety when navigating the Cairngorms.
- Your preferred Met Office Weather Radar app, to stay ahead of potential rainfall, temperatures etc. Super important if you are planning to take part in activities that are heavily weather dependent.
- I also recommend downloading the StageCoach app, which is the local bus service for regional areas in Scotland, to see bus timetables, routes and prices.
My must-do activities
For beginner-intermediate hikers wanting a taste for the Cairngorm landscape you cannot go past Meall a’ Bhuachaille, a popular 810-meter Corbett offering scenic views and an easy route to the summit in summer. Probably one of the best hikes you can do with the most variety, you’ll see ancient Caledonian pines, lochs and a gorgeous ridge. Traditionally, hill climbers would wear an item of green clothing, in an effort to respect the fairies who dwell in the woods and a nod to the green loch you will see along the way.
The trail varies in condition, some unleveled ground and tends to be steep in places also. So I would advise to tread carefully. Despite what weather is like on the day, do yourself a favour and pack layers! It does get a little crisp up there on the summit. The hike is roughly a 4-5hr trail, about 9km, circular which begins at Glenmore Visitor Center.
The walk is so easily accessible from Aviemore town center on the Service 30 Stagecoach, a 10-15 minute ride. If you are driving, there is plenty of parking (which requires to be paid), This circular trail will take you past another must see destination, An Lochan Uaine (The Green Lochan), or the Green Loch!
Another activity suitable for solo travelers, families, couples and groups would be the Cairngorm Reindeer Herd, United Kingdom’s only fresaze-ranging herd of reindeer. You’ll have the opportunity to hike out to the herd, learn all the interesting facts from voulnteers etc. Reindeers aren’t just for Christmas time! Standard ticket pricing for a hill-trip starts at £28 GBP, and further discounts for children and seniors.
Was it worth it? Absolutely, the staff had an undeniable passion for the work they were doing and it was so contagious, and it was a delight being able to hand-feed the herd.
Staying Connected
Signal drops off fast once you’re past Aviemore, especially heading up toward Cairngorm Mountain or into the glens. Handy to have downloaded before you go: AllTrails for routes (works offline once downloaded) and a proper weather app, since Highland weather changes quickly and you don’t want to be checking it on zero bars.
I switched to an eSIM instead of relying on my normal contract and it’s made a real difference. Holafly sets up in a few minutes before you leave home, so you’re not scrambling for a SIM once you’re already up there.
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