Craigellachie, Aviemore

Summary

Accessed right from the heart of Aviemore, Craigellachie is a nature reserve with several lochans, beautiful birchwoods, steep crags and excellent views of the Cairngorms. The uppermost section can be omitted to reduce the grade to 1 and the time to an hour; the walk gives a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of the town and to experience a glimpse of the wild Cairngorms. The crags are home to peregrine falcons.

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Grade

Bog Factor

4.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Clear paths throughout. Optional section up to viewpoint is steep, rough and rocky.

Getting there

Start

Aviemore YHA.

Public Transport

Bus or train to Aviemore.

Start Grid Ref

NH893119

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 5km / 3 miles
Time: 2.5 - 3 hours
Ascent: 302m (Profile)

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OL57 Cairn Gorm

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Walk Description

User reports (12)

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 those doing this walk - there is information on the walk and a camera on the peregrine falcon nest inside the building. You can also join the walk from the Macdonald Highland Resort by following the link path around the right hand fence of the children's play area and then around the far side of a pond to meet the main route by the tunnel under the A9. From the Youth Hostel follow the path, soon passing through the tunnel under the thunderingly busy road. Beyond this the route enters a beautiful birch wood.

Stage 2

Continue on the path straight ahead and ignore a path to the right that leads down to a lochan. Follow the buzzard and viewpoint symbols to take an uphill path on the left which climbs part way up the steep slopes by the crag. After a while the path levels off and a second lochan comes into view below.

Stage 3

Continue on the path which has increasingly good views over Aviemore - dominated by the incongruous tall MacDonald hotel - and to the ski-runs on Cairn Gorm. The path contours around the natural amphitheatre made by the shape of the rocky crags and eventually reaches a track.

Stage 4

To include the steep climb up to the summit cairn, turn left up the track (viewpoint symbol). From the end of the track a clear path with steps continues the ascent, eventually climbing clear of the trees. There are stunning views over Aviemore and Strathspey. When the constructed path ends, a rougher path continues up for a final ascent to a large cairn. From here the Cairngorms look majestic across the strath.

Stage 5

It is worth continuing briefly to reach a second cairn which offers a more open view to the west over a high lochan.

Stage 6

After enjoying the view, head back down the path and track, continuing down the track where the outward route came in from the right. Near the bottom turn right onto a path (marked 'Out'), soon reaching a beautiful lochan.

Stage 7

Cross a small stream and continue on the meandering path, following the markers as you head left. Soon you will rejoin the outward path; keep left here and go back through the tunnel and retrace your steps back to the start.

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