Loch Garten and Garten woods

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Summary

This circuit visits the Garten pinewoods which are being restored to a natural state by the RSPB. It includes a visit to Loch Garten - famous for its Osprey eyrie- and the more secretive Loch Mallachie. These special woods are home to the rare capercaillie, and dogs should be kept on a short lead during the very sensitive breeding season between 1 April and 15 August.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Forest paths and tracks, mostly excellent but with a boggy section

Public Transport

None to start.

Start

Garten woods car park. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 9km / 5.5 miles
Time: 2 - 2.5 hours
Ascent: 110m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NH952190

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (5)

Stage 1

Park in the Garten Woods car park opposite where the Boat of Garten road joins the B970. There is an information board giving details of shorter waymarked trails in the area; keep right to pass this (ignoring the left fork which is the Speyside Way) on a wide path with occasional red markers. This winds into the woods, ignore a path off to the left before eventually reaching a fork; the left fork is the continuation of the 'Red Trail' and is used on the return; our route is to turn right. Here there is a good chance of hearing and and seeing red squirrels.

Stage 2

Follow the excellent path as it winds deeper into the woods. Most of the trees are Scots pine, originally a plantation. However, as part of the vast Abernethy Forest, they are now owned by the RSPB who are restoring the habitat to a more natural state. Vehicle tracks have been removed and the trees thinned out; the boggy floor of the forest on both sides of the path makes an excellent habitat, and the drier sections are dotted with big mounds of pine needles - these are ant's nests. Continue on the track for around a kilometre, looking out for a narrow but clear path going off to the left. It is easily missed; if you reach a sharp right hand bend in the track with a path continuing directly ahead you've too far and should retrace your steps for a hundred metres to find the turn off.

Stage 3

The way is now easy to follow as it undulates through the trees before coming alongside Loch Mallachie (ignore the path joining from the right). Like the better known Loch Garten, this is one of the Speyside forest lochs, which, like the bogs, have become somw of Britain's rarer habitats. The loch is beautiful, fringed by pines on three sides and with a view towards the Cairngorm foothills on the fourth. A waymarked trail is reached at a 't-junction'; turn right here with the loch on your right. Soon after passing a bench the path turns sharp left away from the loch, only to come close to Loch Garten further on. There are glimpses of this through the trees and several small detour paths approach the shores.

Stage 4

Continue on the path which eventually reaches a small car park. Follow the track up to the tarmac road, cross and head up the bank to gain a path running parallel with the road on the far side. At this point you need to decide whether to detour to the right for about 700 metres to visit the RSPB nature centre; if you are here in the spring or summer when the birds are nesting, this is a must. If visiting the Centre return to this point and continue ahead on the path, if not detouring just turn left on the path.

Stage 5

The Speyside Way; soon joins from the right, continue ahead here but soon bear left to cross the road, turning right on the far side to follow another parallel path. This passes a small forest lochan, where a wooden walkway has been constructed so you can get a close view; look out for the dragon and damselflies. Continue along the path until a junction with a wooden vehicle barrier. Turn left here into the forest. Eventually rejoin the outward route (turning right at the junction) to return to the car park.

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