Docharn Woods Circuit

This 4.75-mile loop leaves the village for Scots pine woods, climbs a narrow informal path over Docharn Craig, then returns by forest tracks and the railway-side path. Allow about 2½ hours for the modest climb and repeated route choices. The connected mapped line is about 4.1 miles; use the longer figure for planning because the hill section is informal and its exact line is uncertain.

Start from the central car park and walk along Main Street to Carr Road. A short optional detour leads to the old packhorse bridge. Follow Carr Road to a track beside the houses and pass through the gate into the plantation. At the Ellan Wood Road junction, stay with the Boat of Garten direction; several tempting right turns lead away from this circuit.

After a metal-railed bridge, leave the built path where it bends right and take the narrower path beside the woodland edge. It climbs across a faint grassy track and skirts the top of Docharn Craig before undulating through several forks. Keep left at the described forks. This open stretch gives views toward the Cairngorms, but the tread is narrow, can be muddy and is less obvious than the plantation tracks.

The route turns through trees beside a fence, passes gates and open grazing ground, then follows forest tracks toward the railway. Take the signed Railway Walk past the tall wooden tower at Landmark and follow the Main Street gate back to the village. A map helps at the informal junctions; keep dogs close around livestock and wildlife. Toilets are reported at the central car park.