Loch Morlich enjoys one of the most beautiful settings in all Scotland. Surrounded by pine forests and fringed by beaches, the loch enjoys the stunning backdrop of the often snow-clad peaks of the northern Cairngorms. The circular walk around the loch is a classic.
Bog Factor
Good paths and tracks throughout.
Loch Morlich Beach car park (charge).
Glenmore bus from Aviemore.
NH972098
Any of the car parks (charge) alongside Loch Morlich will make a suitable starting point for this walk, but the route as described starts at the Beach Car Park at the far end of the loch, on the right as you approach from Aviemore. There is a bus stop near here - turn right when you get off the bus, pass the Pine Marten Bar and turn left to get to the Beach Car Park. Several waymarked trails start here; the circuit of the loch is marked by red marker posts but the 1st waymarker leaving the car park is currently missing. Don't head directly to the beach from the part of the car park nearest the road, instead walk through the car park directly ahead from the entrance from the road and take the wide path into the trees, soon passing to the right of the wooden toilet block. Loch Morlich's sandy beach is just off to the right of the path and can easily be visited. Otherside continue following the red marker posts to cross a small wooden footbridge.
Further on the trail reaches the fast-flowing Abhain Ruigh-eunachan close to where it flows into Loch Morlich; turn left alongside this stream until reaching a bridge. Cross this and take the red path on the far side. At the next junction turn left, then right soon after, continuing to follow the red markers. Soon the trail comes close to the loch once more. There are stunning views across the loch to the distant plateau of the Monadhliath, and further on Meall a Bhuachaille is sometimes perfectly mirrored in the water.
The path eventually heads up to a track, turn right along this. Continue on the track as it heads around the far side of the Loch. There are numerous places where you can get down to the waters edge. Keep following the clear track, keeping right at a junction and following the red marker posts. After a while the path crosses a small ford with a wooden bridge. Continue along the path until a wide T junction is reached where you turn right. This track leads to a green metal bridge and the main road to Cairngorm.
Turn right and take the path immediately after the bridge which runs along the shore of the Loch. There are a number of sandy beach areas here which make good picnic sites although they are close to the road. A larger sandy area is reached just before the sailing club building. Here there is a classic view across the Loch to Cairn Gorm and Braeriach.
At the end of the beach and parking area, before the building, you can either take the path along the verge between the road and loch all the way back, or get a little further from the road (and the loch) by crossing the road and following the signs for walkers and cyclists onto the path to the right that runs above the road. This path leads all the way to Glenmore Visitor Centre; before reaching it you need to turn right down a sloping path when you are opposite the entrance to the parking area for Loch Morlich. Cross the road to return to the start.
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