Aviemore Orbital

Summary

This partially waymarked route loops around the fringes of Aviemore with a mix of paths underfoot. Some parts of the route have become quite built-up as Aviemore continues to expand, but others lead through attractive woodland. The finest stretch is beside the River Spey but can be flooded when the river is in spate.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

2.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Mostly good paths, rougher in places. Section by the River Spey floods and becomes impassable if water levels are high.

Public Transport

Bus or train to Aviemore.

Start

Aviemore YHA. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 8km / 5 miles
Time: 2 hours
Ascent: 62m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NH893119

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (2)

Stage 1

The walk is signed from the south end of the main street next to the entrance to the Youth Hostel. The Youth Hostel car park is available for walkers, or you can join the walk from many other locations around Aviemore. Starting from the YHA car park thake the path which soon leads to a tunnel under the thunderingly busy road. Do not pass through this, instead turning right up steps, signed for Aviemore Orbital. There's a fenced area on the right at first, but soon the path reaches a big open grassy space with some of the Aviemore resort buildings seen over to the right. Don't follow the main path, instead bearing left on a grassy trod across the lawns, keeping to the left edge.

Stage 2

The path climbs a little to pass behind the MacDonald swimming complex, with the A9 up above to your left. The path passes above a car park and eventually meets a tarmac lane. Continue along this, soon reaching a small waterworks. Beyond this bear left to the path that keeps outside the fenced Scandinavian Village (on your right). At a fork bear right (ignoring the left under the A9).

Stage 3

When a signed path junction is reached, turn left uphill ('Aviemore Orbital). Turn right to then continue on a broad through the trees parallel to the A9. At another junction, ignore the path left which heads under the road and continue ahead. Later ignore another signed turning, this time for Dalfaber Road off to the right, and stay on the Orbital. Soon the path joins a tarmac drive to cross a bridge over a burn; turn left on the far side onto a narrower path. When this emerges at another tarmac lane, go straight across. There are great views to the Cairngorms over the roofs of Aviemore. Keep ahead again when the route crosses another road. Eventually the path leads over a footbridge.

Stage 4

After crossing another footbridge the path meets the A95. Go straight across onto the footpath opposite, then turn left (away from the village centre). After passing through a gate the path forks - take the left branch. Ignore another path off left, and continue to pass under a railway bridge. Cross another footbridge. Soon path heads off on the right into an industrial estate - there's a cafe this way if you fancy a break. Otherwise keep ahead, crossing yet another burn. Pass through a culvert under a railway line, following the Speyside Way signs to head slightly uphill. When a broad path is met at a t-junction, turn right (signed 'Aviemore Orbital').

Stage 5

The path soon meets a cycle track - turn right, signed for the golf clubhouse. Go right again at the next junction, signed for the 18th tee, then keep left at a fork to follow a track along the left edge of the golf course. There are superb views ahead to the Cairngorms. When the track swings away right keep to the left edge of the course, then follow a path that slopes down to continue through the woodland beside the River Spey. This is the finest part of the walk, but is often muddy and becomes impassable due to flooding when the river is high (in which case you can detour along the edge of the golf course).

Stage 6

The path eventually passes below some chalets, and climbs slightly to pass through a pedestrian gate into a grassy field. Follow the faint grassy path ahead through the field until it meets a fenced walkway, then turn left along this walkway. It returns to a high bank above the river, and passes a wooden shelter with seats and a superb view. Eventually the path leads to a gate and a tarmac road. Turn left along this. Ignore a short-cut off right (signed Aviemore centre) and continue ahead. Before reaching the Old Bridge Inn turn right (cyclepath sign), passing under the railway. At the main road beyond cross with care and then turn left, then take the next right to head back to the hostel and car park at the start of the walk.

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