Challenging
Trails
Trails in Cairngorms National Park
Compare distance, typical time, difficulty, and trail details.
Challenging
Cairn Gorm via Fiacaill a' Choire Chais
Rocky ridge to Cairn Gorm with huge corrie views and quick high access
Challenging
Lochnagar Circuit via Meikle Pap
Granite corrie drama, Meikle Pap views, and a big mountain day
Challenging
Braeriach via Chalamain Gap
Boulder-choked pass to a big, wild plateau and Braeriach
Challenging
Ben Macdui via Cairngorm Plateau
A big, bleak, brilliant plateau push to Scotland’s second-highest peak
Challenging
Ben Macdui via Loch Etchachan
Long, wild plateau day to Ben Macdui via lofty Loch Etchachan
Challenging
Lairig Ghru
Scotland’s classic wild pass: long, remote, and wildly rewarding
Moderate
Mayar and Driesh via Corrie Fee
Two Munros and a show-stopping glacial corrie in one tidy loop
Challenging
Loch Etchachan from Linn of Dee
Big Cairngorms day to a high, windswept corrie loch
Challenging
Beinn Mheadhoin via Loch Avon
Remote tor-crowned Munro via the wild Loch Avon and Shelter StoneChallenging
Mullach Clach a' Bhlair and Sgòr Gaoith circuit
Two-Munro epic from Glen Feshie with cliff-edge views to Loch Einich.Challenging
Ben Avon and Beinn a' Bhuird from Invercauld
Two Munros, granite tors, and big Cairngorms wilderness in one loop
Easy
Loch an Eilein Circuit
Gentle forest loop with island-castle views and lochside calm
Moderate
Meall a' Bhuachaille Circuit
Classic Cairngorms loop: forest, emerald lochan, and a roomy summit
Easy
An Lochan Uaine and Ryvoan Circuit
Green Loch loop with a classic bothy and big Cairngorm vibes
Easy
Ryvoan Pass and Lochan Uaine
Classic forest pass to the emerald Green Loch and a cozy bothy
Challenging
Fiacaill Coire an t-Sneachda Ridge
Airy granite ridge scramble above the Northern Corries
Challenging
Fiacaill a' Choire Chais Path
Rocky ridge climb from the ski base to the Cairngorm plateau
Moderate
Corrie Fee
Glacier-carved amphitheatre with rare alpine flora and big views
Challenging
Sgor Gaoith from Glen Feshie
Short, dramatic Munro day with huge cliffs above Loch Einich.
Moderate
Northern Corries Path
High-level loop skirting Cairngorms’ dramatic Northern Corries.Easy
Loch Muick Circuit
Laid-back loop with royal history, lochside views, and a waterfall detourModerate
Glen Feshie to Ruigh Aiteachain
Classic Caledonian pinewoods walk to a superb bothy in wild Glen Feshie.
Challenging
The Ladder
Steep, bouldery climb to Lochnagar’s rim and huge plateau views
Challenging
Loch Avon Circuit
Wild Cairngorm loop to Loch Avon with big views and serious terrain
Challenging
Jock's Road
Classic highland crossing with history, big views, and real exposure
Challenging
Bynack More
A big, varied Munro day with pinewoods, moor, and knockout views.
Moderate
Glen Tilt Circuit
Waymarked river-and-glen loop with big-mountain views and history.
Challenging
Lairig an Laoigh
A wild, committing pass linking Speyside and Deeside—big, bold, remote.
Challenging
Carn a' Mhaim via Lairig Ghru
Big, wild Munro day skirting the Lairig Ghru to a panoramic ridge.
Challenging
Fords of Avon and Lairig an Laoigh
A committing, wild Cairngorms cross-country mountain pass traverseEasy
An Lochan Uaine (Green Loch)
A short, dreamy walk to a turquoise lochan in ancient pines.
Moderate
Loch Brandy Trail
Steep, quick climb to a dramatic corrie loch with big viewsModerate
Clais Fhearnaig Circuit
Quiet 10-mile loop via Clais Fhearnaig between two classic glens
Challenging
Derry Cairngorm via Derry Lodge
Classic Munro day: bikeable Glen Lui, big views, bouldery finish.
Challenging
Mount Keen from Glen Tanar
Long, scenic approach to the most easterly Munro via Glen Tanar
Moderate
Glen Tilt to Falls of Tarf
Long glen journey to a dramatic Highland waterfall and footbridge
Easy
Uath Lochans Trail
Serene lochans loop with pinewoods and an optional crag-top view
Easy
Uath Lochans Eagle's View Trail
Short pinewoods loop to a big-view perch over mirror-calm lochans
Easy
Loch Morlich Circular
Easy lochside loop with a sandy beach and big mountain views
Moderate
Coire an t-Sneachda
Classic Cairngorm corrie with big drama for a short approach
Moderate
Burn O'Vat Trail
Short, memorable squeeze into a glacial cauldron with an easy loop
Moderate
Coire an Lochain
Short, wild corrie hike to a dark lochan beneath towering cliffs
Easy
Loch an Eilein to Loch Gamhna Loop
Pinewoods, island castle views, and a quieter, muddier loop.
Moderate
Glas-allt Shiel and Waterfall
Lochside stroll to Queen Victoria’s lodge and a thundering waterfall
Moderate
Burn O'Vat and Culblean Circuit
Forest loop to a hidden glacial vat, with quiet Culblean woods.
Challenging
The Stuic on Lochnagar
Quiet granite scramble to wild lochans and big Lochnagar views
Moderate
Loch Einich
Long, wild glen to a dramatic, mountain-ringed loch
Moderate
Carn a' Chlamain from Blair Atholl
Long, straightforward Munro via Glen Tilt to a bouldery summit
Challenging
The Devil's Point from Linn of Dee
Big, remote Cairngorms day to a dramatic summit above Lairig Ghru
Moderate
East Highland Way
Quieter Highlands traverse from Ben Nevis to Aviemore’s pinewoods
Moderate
Mount Keen from Glen Esk
Scotland’s most easterly Munro via a fast, exposed moorland climb
Easy
Two Lochs Trail
Short pinewood loop linking Loch Garten and tranquil Loch Mallachie
Easy
Glen Tanar Knockie Viewpoint Trail
Short pinewoods loop to a big-view perch above the Water of TanarModerate
Craigie Rock Trail
Short, steep birch-wood climb to big Aviemore-and-Cairngorm views.
Easy
Uath Lochans and Farleitter Crag
Tranquil lochans loop with a short, steep climb to a big viewChallenging
Linn of Quoich and The Punch Bowl
Quiet riverside loop to a photogenic, water-carved Punch Bowl
Easy
Glenmore Beach Trail
Easy pinewood loop with a rare Highland beach and big mountain views
Moderate
Seven Bridges Walk, Ballater
Historic bridges and Dee‑side views on a waymarked Ballater loop
Moderate
Chalamain Gap Circuit
Short loop to a boulder-choked ravine with big Cairngorm views
Moderate
Boat of Garten Woods Loop
Peaceful pinewoods loop with lochside birding and minimal hills
Challenging
The Goat Track
Steep, loose shortcut to the Cairngorm plateau with big corrie viewsChallenging
Càrn an Tuirc and Cairn of Claise circuit
Two Munros, big-sky plateau, and tricky nav when the path fades.
Challenging
Kilbo Path
Historic Glen Doll–Glen Prosen pass via dramatic Corrie Fee
Easy
Loch Callater Circuit
Cairngorms loch circuit with big views, a bothy, and a cheeky ford
Moderate
Glas Maol and Creag Leacach from Cairnwell Pass
Two Munros, big skies, and a breezy ridge from Cairnwell Pass.Challenging
Sgòr Mòr from Achlean
Quiet, pathless hill with big Cairngorm views from Glen Feshie
Moderate
Capel Mounth
Ancient drovers’ pass between Loch Muick and Glen Clova
Moderate
The Cateran Trail
Quiet, waymarked 64-mile loop of glens, moorland, and history
Easy
Craigellachie Nature Reserve Viewpoint Trail
Quick Aviemore escape to birchwoods, lochans, and a big summit view
Easy
Linn of Dee Riverside Walk
Short, dramatic gorge loop with big river energy and pinewoods
Challenging
Firmounth Road
Historic, wild crossing between Glen Tanar and Glen EskModerate
Glen Quoich Punch Bowl Circuit
Short, rugged riverside loop to the sculpted Punch Bowl pothole
Moderate
Creag Bheag Circular
Quick Kingussie hill with big views for little effort
Easy
Loch Kinord Circuit
Gentle lochside loop with birch woods, history, and Burn O’ Vat
Easy
Falls of Pattack Trail
Short, moody gorge walk to a dramatic Highland waterfall
Moderate
Loch Garten and Loch Mallachie Trail
Peaceful pinewoods loop with lochside birdwatching and ospreys
Easy
Glen Callater and Loch Callater
Quiet glen stroll to a photogenic Highland loch on Jock’s Road
Moderate
Morrone Circular
Braemar’s backyard Corbett with big views and a mellow riverside return
Moderate
Carn Aosda, Carn a'Gheoidh, The Cairnwell
Three Munros above Glenshee with big views for modest effort
Easy
Linn of Dee to Derry Lodge
Easy glen ramble to a silent lodge with big Highland viewsChallenging
Burma Road Circular, Aviemore
Steep Highland loop with big views and a classic Aviemore grind.
Moderate
Derry Lodge and Luibeg Circuit
Low-level Cairngorms loop with pines, rivers, and big-mountain views
Easy
Badenoch Way
Easy Spey riverside traverse with lochs, woods, marshes, and views
Easy
Glen Tanar Pinewood Trail
Gentle loop through rare Caledonian pine and along the Water of TanarEasy
Lily Loch Trail
Gentle loop to a lily-dotted loch through ancient Caledonian pine.
Easy
Red Squirrel Trail
Easy pinewood loop with real red squirrel odds from Boat of GartenModerate
Loch Gynack Circular
Lochside meets moorland on a mellow Highland loop from Kingussie
Easy
Loch Gamhna Circuit
Quieter, wilder loop off Loch an Eilein with boggy bits.
Easy
Old Logging Way
Smooth forest link between Aviemore and Glenmore with Loch Morlich views
Moderate
Dun da Lamh Hillfort
Ancient hillfort, big Strathspey views, and a blue-waymarked approach
Easy
Glen Mark
Quiet Highland glen to Queen’s Well with big views and history
Moderate
Ruthven Barracks Path
History-soaked moorland loop from a ruin with big Spey Valley views
Challenging
Beinn Bhreac and Beinn a' Chaorainn from Linn of Dee
Two remote Munros linked by the boggy Moine Bhealaidh plateauEasy
Insh Marshes Gordonhall Trail
Short wetland loop with big views and first-rate bird hides
Moderate
Craigendarroch Summit Path, Ballater
Short, steep Ballater hill with big views and lovely oakwoods
Easy
Braemar Riverside Walk
Gentle loop by the Dee and Clunie through birch woods
Easy
The Wildcat Trail
Waymarked 10 km loop circling Newtonmore’s rivers, woods, and moor.
Easy
Speyside Way: Aviemore to Boat of Garten
Gentle forest-and-moor link with Cairngorm views and steam trains
Easy
Falls of Truim Path
Short riverside wander to a lively Highland waterfall and old bridge
Easy
Creag Choinnich, Braemar
Short, steep village summit with big views over Braemar
Easy
Allt Mor Trail, Glenmore
Gentle pinewood loop along a lively burn with easy waymarking
Easy
Insh Marshes Low Ground Trail
Flat wetland loop with wide open views and standout birdwatching
Easy
Anagach Woods Circular
Quiet Scots pine loop with a bonus River Spey stretch
Easy
Polhollick Bridge Walk
Historic suspension bridge loop with Dee-side woods and views
Moderate
Wildcat Trail (Newtonmore)
Waymarked village loop mixing Spey riverside, moorland, and glens.
Moderate
Cromdale Hills, Creagan a' Chaise
Open moorland climb to a big cairn with sweeping Speyside views
Easy
Osprey Trail
Easy pinewoods walk to Loch Garten’s famed osprey viewing hub
Easy
Castle Roy Loop
Quick castle-and-views loop above Nethy Bridge.
Easy
Braemar Castle Circular
A heritage loop around a turreted castle with Dee valley views.
Easy
Speyside Way: Boat of Garten to Nethy Bridge
Gentle railway-path link through ancient pinewoods and osprey country.
Easy
Craigellachie Lochan Trail
Short lochan loop with birchwoods, crags, and easy access from Aviemore
Easy
Frank Bruce Sculpture Trail
Short, reflective art-in-nature loop by the River Feshie
Easy
Craigellachie Woodland Trail
Birchwoods, lochans, and raptors minutes from AviemoreEasy
Parkin’s Moss Boardwalk
Easy boardwalk loop through a rare raised bog with Loch Kinord views
Easy
Puggy Line
Quiet loop through ancient pine forest on a historic logging railway.Easy
Puggy Line Trail
Easy loop through ancient pines on a historic logging railway.
Easy
Smugglers Trail
Mellow Glenlivet loop mixing moorland views and smuggling lore
Easy
Aviemore Orbital Trail
A varied town-edge loop with Spey-side calm and Cairngorm views
Moderate
Cambus O’May Circular
Riverside Deeside loop with a photogenic Victorian suspension bridge.
Easy
Feshiebridge Riverside Path
Easy riverside loop with sculptures and Caledonian pinewoods.Easy
Loch Vaa Circuit
Short lochside loop with pines, a crannog, and a red boathouse.
Easy
Glenmore All Abilities Trail
A gentle forest wander with loch glimpses for every abilityModerate
