Kincraig to Aviemore

Summary

The last section of the East Highland Way passes through the Inshriach National Nature Reserve en route to picturesque Loch an Eilein. The magnificent Caledonian Pines of Rothiemurchus are a final highlight before journey's end is reached at Aviemore.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Forest tracks and paths; muddy in places. There is an unbridged burn after Drake's bothy which can be crossed on stones in dry conditions.

Getting there

Start

Old Post Office Cafe, Kincraig.

Public Transport

Bus to Kincraig; buses and trains to/from Aviemore.

Start Grid Ref

NH833056

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Services

Kincraig has a cafe and a hotel. Aviemore is a major tourist hub with plentiful hotels, guest houses, hostels and camping.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 16.5km / 10.25 miles
Time: 4 - 5 hours
Ascent: 93m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (3)

Stage 1

If an overnight stay has been spent in Kincraig, rejoin the route by following the minor road back over the bridge over the Spey where it issues from Loch Insh. Pass Insh church and continue along the road until two tracks head off to the left; take the left hand one, signed as a public footpath to Feshiebridge. Head along the track, past some farm buildings, until immediately before the track heads through a gate. Turn right here, following a fainter grassy track through two metal gates. As the track swings left at a third gate, leave it and instead go through the gate straight ahead. This leads to a path through the woods, keeping left of a stone wall, emerging and continuing along the edge of a field. At a marker post ignore the route descending to the river and instead continue ahead passing the remains of the Frank Bruce sculpture park.

Stage 2

Back on the route, continue along the path, forking left at a path signed for a car park. Pass through the parking area, leaving via a footpath from the far side near the picnic table. The path soon leads to the road opposite the houses of Feshiebridge. Turn left to follow the road over the bridge - the River Feshie is very attractive here, flowing rapidly over a rocky bed. Follow the road on the far side as it bends right and then sharply left, but then fork right onto a roughly tarred track before the road reaches a white cottage. When this leads to another tarmac road, go straight across onto a forest track opposite.

Stage 3

This track leads to a parking area in Inshriach Forest. Bear left from the parking area, taking the track to the left of the information board. This area - although initially plantations of Scots pines - is important for the endangered capercaillie - the world's largest grouse, which is very easily disturbed, so dogs should be kept on leads. Follow the track until it reaches a cross-roads, and here turn left. Continue for just over another kilometre to a T junction, and then turn right. Next, ignore turnings off on the right and the left, continuing along the main track until it bends left by a stone cairn. Leave the track at the cairn, taking the narrower trod almost straight ahead.

Stage 4

The path soon leaves the pine plantations and enters a natural area of magnificent old pines, birches and regenerating woodland. The route passes the wooden Drake's Bothy - an open shelter which could be used overnight. If wild-camping or staying in this area, however, please do not light fires due to the sensitive and precious nature of the habitat. Continuing along the main path, there is no bridge over the Allt Coire Follais, which may require a paddle to cross.

Stage 5

Continue along the path until it eventually passes the south side of Loch Gamha and reaches the popular main walking track around Loch an Eilein. Turn left along this, following it until a junction where it turns sharply right. The track continues round the northern side of the loch, passing some fabulous old granny Pines. After passing a cottage there are views out to the ruined castle on an island in the loch - the site of the last Osprey eyrie before the birds were driven to extinction in 1916 (before returning to Scotland at Loch Garten in the 1950s). Leave the loch at its northermost point, following the track past the car park entrance and onto a tarmac road.

Stage 6

Follow the tarmac minor road for almost a kilometre, turning off right onto a track immediately after Milton Cottage. Keep right at a fork just before another cottage. Soon the path passes north of lily-covered Lochan Mòr, with distant glimpses of the Cairngorms. Stay on the main path which is now a track and stay on this until it reaches the road at an iron gate at Inverdrurie.

Stage 7

Turn right along the road to reach the main road, then left along the cycle path which runs beside it. The Rothiemurchus Estate cafe and shop are opposite. The walk continues on the roadside cyclepath. After three quarters of a kilometre the cycle path switches to the other side of the road and then diverges from it, crossing an old iron bridge over the Spey. On the far side turn right along a minor road. After the Old Bridge Inn fork left to pass beneath the railway line and emerge on the main road in Aviemore. Turn right along the road to reach the railway station and town centre - the final destination of the East Highland Way. For those who haven't had enough, the route connects with the Speyside Way here, which leads on to Buckie on the Moray coast.

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