Ellan Wood is a fine pinewood on the fringes of the village of Carrbridge. Partly owned by the Woodland Trust, it offers several short waymarked trails, which can be combined to give the walk described here.
Summary
Easy walking on woodland paths
Terrain
NH903227
Grid ref
3.5km/2 miles
Distance
Grade
Ellan Woods car park, Carrbridge
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Carrbridge is served by buses whilst there is a rail station a mile away.
Open Traveline Scotland
Public transport
1. Turn down Station Road in Carrbridge which branches off the main street beside the remarkable old packhorse bridge, built in 1717 and still missing its parapets after the terrible floods of 1829 – known as the 'Muckle Spate' and probably the worst ever experienced in Scotland. Look out for a turning on the left signed for Ellan Wood; there is parking and a picnic area just short of the cemetary.
2. Begin the walk on the path which starts just to the left of the information board. Initially the route follows the yellow markers. Turn left at the first junction, and then keep straight on when another path goes off right. There is a bench at the next junction, where you should turn left again. A cross-roads is then reached. Another path comes in from Carrbridge on the left (this is an alternative start, heading between a church and the village hall); turn right here, waymarked in both red and yellow.
3. Keep straight on at a cross roads, and then straight ahead again at a three way fork where the waymarkers go off to the right. Continue ahead again across the access track for the overflow parking for the Landmark Forest park. The route now passes the Lookout Tower, an impressive structure and the highest wooden tower in Britain; unfortunately you can't climb it as it is part of the park and fenced off. The path continues through the woods; this part is a dense plantation of Scots pine.
4. The path eventually reaches the main railway line, where you should turn right. This part of the forest is said to have a view of Cairn Gorm but you have to crane your neck and look left up the railway to spot it. The path continues beside the railway before eventually bearing right back into the woods. Red squirrels are plentiful around here; if you are here in the Autumn then the fungi can be quite spectacular.
5. Turn left when the path reaches a t-junction. You are now entering the part of the forest that is owned by the Woodland Trust, with fine sections of birches initially, slowly giving way to Scots pines, and are following the yellow markers once more. The path turns sharp right at one point down a flight of wooden steps, and crosses two small wooden bridges.
6. When a finely sculpted wooden bench is reached, turn left (passing another bench). The path continues to wind through a beautiful section of pinewood, turning right at two more junctions. Eventually the cemetery comes into view ahead; pass around this to the right to return to the car park and the start.
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