Visit Lochan Mor in Rothiemurchus Forest, to which beavers were reintroduced to the Cairngorms National Park in 2023. The route continues along forest paths and a minor road to reach Loch an Eilein, with its famed ruined castle. The route returns on tracks and roads through farmland and forestry.
Good footpaths, tracks and minor road. Waymarked.
Bus to Inverdruie from Aviemore.
Woodlands carpark, Inverdrurie.
Start from the Woodlands car park at Inverdruie; it is signposted from the Aviemore - Glenmore road. The Beaver Trail is signposted from here in red (our route adds a small optional detour to visit beautiful Loch an Eilein). Start by taking the signed path out of the carpark towards the road, then turn right along the roadside path (the Logging Way). Cross the road which leads to Loch an Eilein and continue ahead with the Triangle carpark on your right and the Rothiemurchus Farm Shop and Cafe over to the left. Turn right at the next junction and very soon take a signed path on the left through a metal gate into the woods - there is an information board about the beavers and gnawed wooden signs on the walk. Take the broad path to the right of the info board, heading through the trees.
As the next part of the route passes an area where beavers live, you are asked to stay on the paths, keep dogs under close control and to be quiet. Give the animals space if you do spot them. The path crosses more open ground before the route undulates through the forest. Ignore two paths to the left, staying on the wider main path to eventually descend to reach the outflow of Lochan Mor, also known locally as the Lily Loch.
European beavers were reintroduced here in 2023. Feeding on broadleaf tree vegetation, beavers are a key species in managing and restoring watery ecosystems. It is hoped that by building dams, coppicing trees, and creating water channels there will be an increase in other wildlife together with a reduction in flooding; beavers should help tackle the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss. Although you may see signs of beaver activity (dams, channels, coppiced trees, wood chips) the animals themselves are usually active at dawn and dusk, spending most of the daylight in their lodges which they access underwater. If you do spot them, keep your distance. Just a short way along from the outflow a short path on the left leads to an excellent viewpoint and bench over lochan.
Continue on the main track, leaving the lochan behind eventually passing a vehicle barrier and a cottage on your right. At Milton Cottage turn left onto the minor road. After 0.7km ignore the tracks on the left (the second will be used as the return route) to make a short detour to visit the shores of beautiful Loch an Eilein. Stay on the road as it bears right, crossing the bridge over a burn and then immediately turning left onto a track (avoiding the car park ahead). The track soon reaches Loch an Eilein; there are toilets and a small shop over to the right.
The walk can be extended by following the path all the way round Loch an Eilein if looking for a longer route. Otherwise turn left to follow the shore path briefly - with views to the ruined island castle. After a footbridge turn left to leave the loch. The track soon returns to the road - continue straight ahead on it. At the next junction take the track on the right, now rejoining the Beaver Trail. The track climbs gently passing an area of woodland which is home to badgers and pine marten.
There are good views over the fields of a deer farm on the left. Go through a gate and soon pass Croft House at the crest of the hill. Continue ahead passing another house and eventually reaching a road at Blackpark. Go straight ahead on the minor road here. Ignore any paths and eventually the road emerges at the Aviemore - Glenmore road. Turn left along the path on the near side (the Logging Way) to rejoin the outward route and continue back to the start.
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