Rothiemurchus Forest and the Iron Bridge

Rothiemurchus Forest and the Iron Bridge is a 4.75-mile loop from Coylumbridge through pinewoods to the Cairngorm Club footbridge over the Am Beanaidh, then back by Lochan Deo. Allow about two hours, plus a little longer if you stop by the river. It is a good choice for a gentle forest walk with a worthwhile destination; you reach the bridge on the Lairig Ghru route without taking on the long crossing into the mountains.

Start on the track beside the Rothiemurchus campsite entrance on the B970, where parking is limited to the roadside. Follow it south past a ruined cottage and metal gate, then take the left fork about half a mile in. Continue to the larger track and bear left for the bridge. After crossing, retrace the short spur to the fork and take the return track. It passes Lochan Deo before reaching a signed junction; turn right for Coylumbridge. You share part of the approach on the way back, so keep an eye on the signs at the junctions.

Most of the walk follows gentle gravel tracks through mature and regenerating pinewood. Expect a few small bridges, a stile, gates, and a narrower stretch by a stone wall. The woodland opens near the forest edge for views toward the Cairngorms and the cleft of the Lairig Ghru; the return has a mild rise through more open ground before it drops back into the trees.

The Cairngorm Club footbridge was built in 1912 to carry walkers over the Am Beanaidh on the classic Lairig Ghru crossing toward Braemar. The bridge and rocky river are the walk's main payoff. There are boulders beside the water where you can sit for a snack, so this is a good place to pause before retracing to the return path.

These woods are capercaillie habitat. From 1 April through 31 August, keep dogs on the path and under close control; use a short lead where signs ask. Dogs are allowed on the route.