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Updated October 2025
Cosy wooden cabins tucked into ancient pine forests, towering mountains, turquoise lochs, and even wild reindeer are a few of the magical things that you can discover in Cairngorms National Park. As the UK’s largest national park, it’s an outdoor playground for skiing, hiking, cycling, watersports and wildlife spotting.
Established in 2003, the Cairngorms National Park is home to one-quarter of Scotland’s native Caledonian forest, offering a glimpse of what the Highlands looked like thousands of years ago.
The mountains feature alpine semi-tundra moorlands similar to Norway and Sweden. Wildlife is abundant, including reindeer, golden eagles, ospreys, wildcats, and other rare species.
Whether you’re chasing adventure, planning a cosy forest cabin getaway, hoping to spot reindeer in the Cairngorms, or simply want to soak up the raw beauty of the Scottish Highlands, this guide will help you make the most of your visit.
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WHERE IS CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK?
Deep in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, Cairngorms National Park stretches across 4,528 km², from Fort William in the west to Aberdeen in the east.
The park is home to over 18,000 people living in charming towns like Aviemore, Kingussie, and Nethy Bridge, as well as across Aberdeenshire, Angus, Highland, Moray and Perth and Kinross.
With mountains, rivers, forests, and lochs at every turn, the park perfectly captures what the Highlands are all about.
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HOW TO get TO the CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK?
By plane
Inverness Airport is the closest gateway to the western side of the Cairngorms, just a 30 minute drive away. For the east, Aberdeen International Airport has easy access and is about an hour by car. If you fly into Glasgow or Edinburgh, expect a scenic 2.5 hour drive north.
By Train
From London, you can hop on the sleeper train from Euston and arrive in the Cairngorms by morning, stopping first at Kingussie, then Aviemore. Daytime options include the Azuma train from King’s Cross, taking around 8 hours. For eastern access, the direct train to Aberdeen works well, with onward travel into the park by bus, car or bike.
By Car
The A9 is your main entry into the park. From Killiecrankie, follow the scenic A95 and A939 (the Old Military Road or Snow Roads) for breathtaking views. Along the way, you’ll pass Glenshee and Lecht ski centres, Corgarff Castle, and the dramatic Devil’s Elbow.
HOW TO get AROUND CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK?
By train
Hop aboard the Strathspey Railway, a traditional steam train running between Broomhill and Aviemore, or use regular train services through the Spey Valley between Dalwhinnie and Carr-Bridge.
By bus
Local routes connect most major towns, though services are limited due to the park’s size and remoteness. In summer, the Heather Hopper runs from Blairgowrie to Ballater (July to August). For up-to-date routes and timetables, check the Traveline Scotland journey planner.
By bike
The park has more than 64 km of off-road cycle paths, including National Cycle Route 7 from Glasgow to Inverness. Electric bikes are available to hire in Aviemore and Kingussie, making cycling an easy and eco-friendly way to explore.
CAMPERVANS AND MOTORHOMES IN CAIRNGORMS
Exploring the Cairngorms by campervan or motorhome is one of the easiest ways to see the park at your own pace. Scotland allows overnight stays in vehicles, and the park has plenty of official campervan facilities, including water refill points and waste disposal.
For those looking for a wilder experience, there are options for wild camping in the Cairngorms, but it’s important to follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code:
Avoid open fires
Keep dogs under control
Stay a safe distance from wildlife and farm animals
Camp only in suitable areas
Dispose of waste in designated points and take all your rubbish with you
Respect ‘no overnight parking’ signs
Support local communities by buying local produce
Follow Leave No Trace principles
The park also provides an interactive map and downloadable PDF showing campervan-friendly parking, facilities, and recommended stops, a handy tool for planning your adventure.
When is the best time to visit the Cairngorms National Park?
We visited the Cairngorms in April and were greeted by a magical mix of snow and sunshine, just one of those days where you can experience all four seasons in a single afternoon!
One minute we were trudging through fresh snow, the next the sun was out and melting it away. That’s part of the charm of the Cairngorms, unpredictable weather, but always spectacular.
Spring
Snow melts to reveal heather moorland, and wildlife comes alive. Spot reindeer, ospreys, and red squirrels while enjoying longer daylight hours for hiking and cycling.
Summer
Perfect for hiking, watersports, fishing, and camping. Days are longer and warmer, though midges can be pesky in some areas.
Autumn
Cooler temperatures, fewer visitors, and stunning autumn colours. A great time to see the red deer rut and enjoy quieter trails.
Winter
Skiing and snowboarding are in full swing at Cairngorm Mountain, Glenshee, and Lecht. Cosy lodges and cabins make winter visits especially memorable with evenings by the fire.
WHAT ARE THE BEST THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK?
Skiing & Snowboarding in the Cairngorms
Scotland might not be the first place that comes to mind for skiing, but the Cairngorms ski scene is surprisingly impressive.
With three ski centres, there is something for everyone, from beginners to seasoned skiers. Timing your visit is key, as snowfall can be unpredictable, but when the conditions are right, the slopes are unforgettable.
Here are the main ski centres in the Cairngorms:
Cairngorm Mountain | Ride the funicular railway (reopened Feb 2025) to 1,097m for skiing, snowboarding, and even mountain tubing.
Glenshee | Scotland’s largest ski resort, boasting 22 lifts and 36 runs for all levels.
Lecht | A smaller, family-friendly resort with gentle slopes perfect for beginners.
Be sure to grab a Cairngorms piste map to plan your runs and make the most of your day on the mountain.
Drive the scenic Snow Roads (A939)
For a road trip with spectacular Highland views, follow the winding A939, also known as the Snow Roads. This 90-mile route passes ski centres, castles, and dramatic mountain landscapes. Take your time and stop along the way to truly soak in the scenery.
Starting from Grantown-on-Spey, you’ll see:
Lecht Ski Centre at 2,090 feet (645m)
Corgarff Castle, a star-shaped former redcoat barracks from 1750
Devil’s Elbow, a double hairpin bend with panoramic views of Meal Gorm and Carn Mor
Prince Albert’s pyramid
An unexpected sight in Scotland, the Prince Albert Pyramid sits on the Balmoral Estate. Built in 1982 by Queen Victoria in memory of Prince Albert, it’s one of 11 cairns on the estate and offers sweeping panoramic views from the top.
The direct path is steep but open year-round, while the circular route closes during August and September when the Queen is in residence.
Parking | Balmoral car park, £5 per car / £10 per campervan
Cairngorm Mountain
From Glenmore, follow the mountain road up to Cairngorm mountain resort, which is a hub of activity where you can spot reindeer grazing the moorland and take the funicular (reopened in February 2025), which is the highest railway in the UK to a height of 1097 metres above sea level.
There are year-round activities on the mountain, with mountain tubing in the summer and ski runs during the winter.
Campervans and motorhomes are welcome to stay the night at Coire na Ciste on-site, where you can soak in the views of Glenmore and Loch Morlich.
The site welcomes those who have their own facilities, including toilets, with 45 pitches and facilities to use fresh water, grey and black water dump, bins, and it costs £10 a night to enter the gated access site, where you can book online.
Discover wild roaming reindeer
One of the highlights of visiting the Cairngorms has to be the reindeer. These majestic animals were reintroduced to the Cairngorm mountains in 1952 by a Swedish Sami herder, who recognised that the plateau was the perfect environment for them. Today, over 150 reindeer roam freely, making them the only free-range herd in the UK.
We were lucky enough to spot them ourselves while walking east from the Cairngorm Mountain car park. At first, they were almost invisible, perfectly camouflaged against the moorland. Then, suddenly, a small herd emerged from behind a ridge. It was incredible to watch them graze and move freely in their natural habitat.
For a more structured visit, the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre offers guided tours to meet the herd up close. Whether spotting them on a hike or joining a guided experience, seeing these reindeer in the wild is an unforgettable part of any Cairngorms adventure.
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Aviemore
The town of Aviemore is the active centre of the Cairngorms National Park and a great base to explore the area. There are several ski and outdoor shops and was one of the first skiing resorts in Scotland established in 1961.
The Strathspey railway runs along here from Aviemore to Boat of Garten and even further. Loch Morlich is a popular spot nearby, surrounded by the beautiful Rothiemurcus forest, the remnants of a Caledonian forest with Scots pine and heather moorland.
Green Loch
Visit the Glenmore visitor centre for tips on where to explore the area, there are plenty of walks to do in the area and we would recommend the Green loch (An Lochan Uaine) walk which starts from the visitor centre and if you walk a bit further you will reach Ryvoan which is a traditional Scottish bothy and provides shelter for mountaineers.
A great way to explore the area is by bike, including the circular route around Loch Morlich and loch an Eilein. Loch Morlich has a beach where you can chill for the day or hire a canoe and explore the loch with incredible views of the Cairngorms.
Abernethy Nature Reserve
Thousands of years ago, Scotland used to be completely covered in forest; today, only 1% of the Caledonian forest remains due to mass deforestation and deer grazing.
At Abernathy RSPB nature reserve, you can enter the centre where you pay £5 to enter and watch live cameras of ospreys and white-tailed eagles, there are binoculars to look through, and there are also guided walks and talks.
There are walks around Loch Garten and Loch Malachie where you’ll walk through large pine trees and juniper. A project to reconnect the forest is underway, where the RSBP are working with landowners to plant new trees and restore the Caledonian forest to its former glory.
Nethy Bridge
A small village in the Spey Valley has a beautiful Telford bridge with three arches that pass over the river Nethy which was built in 1810. Here at Nethy Bridge, you’ll find a cafe and tea rooms, the Abernethy visitor centre, golf course and they host the Abernethy Highland games.
What caught our eye in this village was the quirky cabins and that the village is surrounded by Scots pine. There are several walks you can do in the area including Castle Roy which is abundant in wildlife Capercaillie, pine Martin, red squirrel and wildcat.
Where to stay in the Cairngorms National Park?
Options range from lodges and cottages to hotels, B&Bs, and campervan-friendly sites.
PINE MARTEN LODGE
When visiting the Cairngorms National Park, no visit would be complete without staying in a wooden cabin in the woods. Pine Marten Lodge near Nethy Bridge is the perfect place to relax and a great location to explore the National Park, with a hot tub, wood burner and outdoor gas fire pit, you’ll be guaranteed to have a great time.
The lodge is kitted with luxury touches, all wood was sourced from local sources, and it has a sedum roof which blends it within the landscape. The Spey Valley is renowned for it’s salmon and trout fishing and the Strathspey Railway runs a steam train from Aviemore to Broomhill.
