This is an easy but quiet walk through fantastic Caledonian forest to the iron bridge over the Am Beanaidh and then through more scattered woodland with great views of the Cairngorms.
Summary
Good paths throughout
Terrain
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1. Take the lane next to the entrance to the Rothiemurchus Camp and Caravan Park at Coylumbridge and follow it past a derelict cottage to the Lairig Ghru parking area. From here go through the gate and follow the lane through the first section of Rothiemurchus forest. When you reach a fork take the left hand path, signed for the Lairig Ghru, which starts close to the river and heads through some beautiful mature pinewoods.
2. The track crosses a small bridge and further on climb a stile next to a gate and continue straight ahead. The route narrows after a gate in a stone wall. Cross another small bridge and a gate and the path narrows again. Soon you reach the edge of the dense forestry and can see the Cairngorm mountains ahead, with the great cleft of the Lairig Ghru straight ahead, flanked by screes.
3. Continue straight ahead at a junction and after a short while you reach the Iron Bridge, also known as the Cairngorm Club Bridge after the climbers' club who built it in 1912. After admiring the bridge and river, backtrack along the outward route as far as the fork. Take the left hand fork signed for Loch an Eilein. Follow the clear track as it crosses the area of regenerating forest.
4. The path passes the pretty Lochan Deo on the left side and after entering an area of denser forestry a crossroads is reached. Turn right here and head gently uphill. Continue on this track and go through a wooden gate and into more open countryside. There are excellent views back to Cairn Gorm and into the Lairig Ghru to the right of the main peak.
5. The path continues straight ahead crossing a grassy area with some lovely specimen pines. Ignore a smaller track heading off uphill to the left. Eventually a metal gate and cattle grid is reached, climb the stile and continue straight ahead through the trees until the parking area and the start of the walk is reached.
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