Loch Morlich circuit

Click to Install our FREE APP
Download our route guides and use offline with free GPS mapping

Hear pronunciation Press to hear pronunciation

Loch Morlich enjoys one of the finest settings of any loch in the country. It is surrounded by forests and fringed by beaches, with the stunning backdrop of the often snow-clad peaks of the northern Cairngorms. The circuit of the loch is a very popular walk.

Terrain

Good paths and tracks throughout.

Public Transport

Glenmore bus from Aviemore.

Start

Loch Morlich car park (charge). Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

Users' reports

Read about the experiences of our users on this route.
There are 8 reports from this walk - click to read them.

Write your own walk report on Walkhighlands to share your experience. £150 of gear to be won from Highlander for the best reports each month.

Currently 3.65/520

User Rating
Log in to vote

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Description

Stage 1

Any of the car parks alongside Loch Morlich will make a suitable starting point for this walk, but the route as described starts at the car park at the far end of the loch, signed 'Loch Morlich watersports'. There is a modest parking charge (at all the car parks). Several waymarked trails start here; the circuit of the loch is marked by deep red marker posts. It begins opposite the entrance to the car park and soon passes the wooden toilet block. There is a large beach on the shores of the loch to the right which can easily be visited. Continue following the red marker posts to cross a small wooden footbridge; Loch Morlich campsite is on the left.

Stage 2

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.

Stage 3

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.

Stage 4

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.

Stage 5

At the end of the beach and parking area, before the building, cross the road and follow the signs for walkers and cyclists onto the path to the right running alongside the road. This path leads all the way to the forestry information centre but you need to turn right down a steep path when you are opposite the entrance to the parking area for Loch Morlich. Cross the road and return to the start.

Can you help support Walkhighlands?

Please consider setting up a direct debit donation to help support the continued maintenance and updates to Walkhighlands.

Loch Morlich circuit

Click to Install our FREE APP
Download our route guides and use offline with free GPS mapping

Terrain

Public Transport

Start

Users' reports

Walk Statistics

Mapping and GPS

ROUTE SPONSORED BY

Accommodation