Walk: Abernethy Forest – two miles, two lochs

📌 Abernethy Forest, Highland
★★★

Get a taste for the vast Abernethy Forest – part of one of the UK’s largest nature reserves – with a trip through the trees to two tranquil lochs: Loch Mallachie and Loch Garten. This is a beautiful place at any time of day or season, but we recommend visiting early or late in the day to get the forest to yourself – thereby increasing the chance of wildlife encounters. Red squirrels and wading birds are amongst the likely sightings; if you are extremely lucky you may catch a glimpse of a crested tit, crossbill or even a capercaillie. Ospreys may also be seen in summer, though they are best watched via webcam from the nearby RSPB Loch Garten visitor centre.

📷 Chronological photo guide

🌍 Location

📌 Start / finish on northwest side of Loch Garten, minor road 2 mi east of Boat of Garten

🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NH 972185

🛰️ GPS coordinates: 57.245755,-3.706116

❌ No public transport within 1 mi

🚗 Car park

📝 Key info

▶ 3 km / 2 mi | ▲ 20 m | ⌛ 45 min

Features: 🌲 Abernethy Forest; 💧 Loch Mallachie; 💧 Loch Garten

⬤ Easy | Clear, wide paths & tracks, mostly level. Narrower options nearer the lochsides.

➡️ Anticlockwise circuit: start – Loch Mallachie – Loch Garten- start

Download file for GPS

🥾 On our last visit

Wildlife: Chaffinches, great tits in the forest. Mallard ducks, common sandpiper & froglets at the lochs.

Weather: 13°C, windless & overcast with low cloud.

July 2021