Average rating Walking in the Cairngorms National Park

This weekend sees you walking Britain’s most spectacular mountain pass in the Cairngorms National Park. The 18 mile route used in the past by thieves and soldiers cuts right through the heart of the high Cairngorms. From the high point its sides rise sheer for another 1500 ft to 4 of the 5 highest peaks in Britain - awesome scenery and a worthy challenge.

Arrive: Fraoch Lodge on Friday - try to aim for between 5 & 7pm if possible, so that you have time to meet the group and settle in before dinner

Saturday: This classic route starts amongst the Caledonian pines of Linn of Dee. 18 1/2 miles, 2500ft of ascent and the most spectacular mountain scenery lie ahead before you eventually finish the day on the beautiful Rothiemurchus Estate in full view of your achievement.

Sunday: Head out for a short 3 hour ‘warm down’ walk incorporating beautiful Loch an Eilean to return for a Sunday roast (vegetarian option also available) before you head for home.
Depart: on Sunday after about 2pm (3pm drop-off at Inverness airport).

Price is per person and accommodation, meals and transfers to Inverness airport or Aviemore station are included.

If you’re looking to totally immerse yourself in the mountains, then there’s no better way than backpacking and the wilderness of the Cairngorms National Park makes an ideal location, avoiding the repeated long ups and downs of other ranges. Spending the first and last nights of the trip at the comfortable lodge, the rest of the time you will be out camping wild, or staying in a bothy.

Arrive: (evening before activities begin) at Fraoch Lodge between and 5 & 7pm if possible as this will give you time to meet the other guests and settle in before dinner.

Day 1: is a gentler walk in to one of the remotest parts of the Cairngorms National Park. Passing by noble Pines you rise up over a open moor & distant sea views to then descend for a night in a bothy.

Day 2: To the high expanse of Beinn a’ Bhuird & another dramatic change as glaciers of long past have cut deep into this mountain mass. With the hard work now done it’s on to Ben A’an, & its mysterious rock formations before your camp at a high Lochan.

Day 3: Look out over rolling hills to the distant sea as you begin the descent down to follow the meandering River Don to the ‘watering hole’ of the Allargue Inn!

Depart: after breakfast (morning after activities finish)

Price Includes: Guiding, accommodation, camping equipment, all meals and transfers to Inverness airport or Aviemore train station.

Make the most of the summer weather take in the very varied mountainscapes throughout the Cairngorms National Park. This is a slightly gentler walking holidat, enjoying highlight such as the Fara Circuit Ridge Walk and breathtaking panoramic views from Geal Charn, with plenty of time to stop and take photos along the way.

Arrive: Fraoch Lodge - try to aim for between 5 & 7pm so that you have time to settle in and meet the rest of the group before a welcome intro from Andy and dinner at 8pm.

Day 1: The Fara circuit provides a fine ridge walk with fantastic views down the full seventeen mile length of Loch Ericht to the remote heights of Ben Alder.

Day 2: Climb to peer into the depths of the highly impressive Ailnack Gorge before reaching the heights of Geal Charn for panoramic views to distant horizons and the high Cairngorm peaks.

Day 3: This is a day off for everyone from breakfast onwards - a chance for you to explore the area on your own; browse the gear shops in Aviemore; pop up to Inverness for the day; or simply relax. Meet at the end of the day for a fantastic meal out at a local restaurant, Anderson's, a few doors up the road.

Day 4: Sgurr and Cruach Innse dominate the horizon above Roy Bridge. These two shapely peaks rise to create a wonderful traverse at the heart of big mountain scenery.

Day 5: Directly opposite the high Cairngorms and overlooking Strathspey, Geal-charn Mor is an excellent viewpoint. From wooded glens to mountain moor – an excellent mountain gander.

Depart: after breakfast the day after walking finishes.

This challenging week of four full days walking traces the natural lines of the Cairngorm Massif: high plateau edge, mountain ridge, skyline traverse. Enjoy spectacular views and challenging walking during the course of the week, with one day off to explore the local area.

Arrive: Aim to arrive between 5 & 7pm on the day before the walking starts, in time to settle in and join the rest of the group for dinner.

Day 1:Climb Meall a’Bhuchaille (Shepherd’s Hill) and walk along the spine of the Kinkardine Hills. With views down into Strathspey and beyond to the north; and a grandstand view of the Northern Cairngorms to the south, this is a lovely hill walk.

Day 2: This skyline traverse sees you ascending via the North ridge. With dramatic views down precipitous slopes into the depths of Stath Nethy you reach Cairngorm’s summit to then trace the dramatic brink of the northern corries - impressive cliff scenery.

Day 3: From breakfast onwards this is a day off. It’s a chance to explore Boat of Garten and the surrounding villages a little more, or go for a gentle walk around one of the local lochs or visit the Osprey centre. The day is rounded off wit the group going out to dinner at Anderson’s fabled for its fine wild food.

Day 4: With a cycle and a gentle ascent through lovely Rothiemurchus, arrive at the great bulk of Braeriach. Climbing to its lofty summit you are met by dramatic views down the Lairig Ghru and across the great precipied flanks of our highest peaks.

Day 5: The great gouge of Gleann Einich defines the Sgoran Ridge. At Sgor Gaoithe’s summit you’re suddenly presented with the awesome view down into the colossal void that holds the dark waters of Loch Einich far below. You follow its western edge.

Depart: after breakfast the morning after the walking finishes

The price includes all guiding, accommodation, full board, transport and transfers to Aviemore Station or Inverness airport.

Explore Britain’s most natural landscape: the Great Forest of Caledon with its noble pines, the mighty Cairngorms with their tundra flora and expansive heather moors. The habitats are rich - you experience the full variety of this unique mountain area with five full days walking and one rest day off to explore the local area.

Arrive: On evening before walking begins. Try to aim for between 5 and 7pm so that you have time to settle in and meet the other members of the group before dinner at 7.30pm.

Day 1: This holiday wouldn’t be complete without an ascent of Cairngorm. The forces of nature have created numerous corries and hanging valleys. Our route seeks out many of these features to give a day of unending variety and interest.

Day 2: Although Ben Macdui is the 2nd highest, and a 4000 ft peak ‘to boot’, it is by no means the hardest. You make a circuit taking in the most spectacular rock and glacial scenery of the Northern Cairngorms: the famous Lairig Ghru and the Loch A’an Basin.

Day 3: The prominent peak of Carn Elrig is our target. You woun’t find a better positioned summit to view the Northern Cairngorms - the panorama is unsurpassed: native pine forest stretching to the north, mighty peaks to the south.

Day 4: This is a day off for everyone from breakfast onwards - a chance for you to explore the area on your own; browse the gear shops in Aviemore; pop up to Inverness for the day; or simply relax. The day ends with a fantastic meal out at local restaurant, Anderson's, a few doors up the road.

Day 5: The group makes a traverse through Caledonian pines from Glenmore, past crofting communities, lochs and mountain backdrops of the RSPB’s Abernethy Reserve to arrive back at Fraoch Lodge.

Day 6: Glen Feshie is regarded by many as the most beautiful in the area. After walking its length, you climb high to Carn Dearg Mor and fantastic high level views back down into its upper reaches.

Depart: on morning after walking finishes, after breakfast.

The price is fully inclusive of: all guiding, accommodation, full board, transport, and transfers to Aviemore Station or Inverness airport if required.