📌 Coylumbridge, Highland
★★★
Reached by a good road from Aviemore, Glenmore Forest Park is the main gateway to the northern Cairngorms National Park. Swathes of wildlife-rich ancient Caledonian pinewood stretch across a sheltered bowl, sheltered by the main bulk of the Cairngorms to the south and the Meall a’ Bhuachaille ridge to the north. The central Glenmore Visitor Centre serves as a good introduction to the park, but you need to immerse yourself in the landscape – on foot or by bike – to do the area justice. The jewels in the crown are water-related: take the 4-mile loop around Loch Morlich, a stroll up to An Lochan Uaine (forming the first part of our Meall a’ Bhuachaille or Bynack More routes), or plan something more ambitious with the correct knowledge and equipment. See our interactive map below for more options. Red squirrels are another highlight; the feeding boxes outside the visitor centre are probably the best place in the whole country to see them. Or perhaps you’ll be lucky to catch a glimpse of Britain’s only reindeer herd, either on the surrounding hillsides or at the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre.
🌍 Location
📌 Access from minor road 5 mi east of Aviemore. Visitor centre is at:
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NH 978098
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 57.167641,-3.692774
🚌 Several bus stops on the main (Aviemore to Cairngorm Mountain) road through the park, including outside the visitor centre
🚗 Car parks (most with charge)
📝 Key info
⌚ Always open
🎫 Free
