Cairngorms Accessible Activities

Don’t let the mountainous terrain fool you – much of the Cairngorms National Park is highly accessible for people with disabilities and reduced mobility. The national park is committed to accessibility and inclusion – thanks to their efforts, and those of local businesses and communities, a lot of the area’s natural beauty can be experienced by all. Keep reading to find out more about accessible walks, nature watching, attractions and sports you can enjoy in the Cairngorms. 

Accessible nature trails and walks

The Cairngorms has lots of flat and level trails that wheelchair users and those with reduced mobility can enjoy, especially around the Strathspey area. Some of our favourites include:

Loch an Eilein 

Surrounded by ancient Caledonian pine forest, this gorgeous loch near Aviemore has a flat and well-maintained path that motorised wheelchairs will have no trouble negotiating. At the car park (charges apply) you’ll be given a map and information about the local wildlife – take the circular loop around the lochs and keep an eye out for red squirrels and waterfowl as you enjoy the peace. The loch is located on the Rothiemurchus Estate, and there are many more miles of trails in the surrounding area that are also suitable for wheelchairs or adapted bikes. 

Glenmore Forest and An Lochan Uaine 

Located close to the slopes of Cairn Gorm, Glenmore Forest Park has a mix of steep and flat trails to explore. Visitors using motorised wheelchairs can access one of the prettiest parts of the forest via the well-maintained gravel track that runs without any serious incline between the visitor centre (where there are accessible toilets) and An Lochan Uaine (the green loch) in the Ryvoan area. Species like crossbills, damselflies and red squirrels can all be spotted here. 

Loch Garten RSPB reserve 

Renowned for its osprey population and unspoiled surroundings, RSPB Loch Garten is located in the Abernethy Forest, a couple of miles east of Boat of Garten. There’s a lochside walk here that will be accessible to robust mobility scooters, plus a fully accessible nature centre that has a bird hide, live camera feeds of the ospreys’ nests, and bird feeders that attract a wide variety of species. The knowledgeable staff are all trained in welcoming visitors with disabilities, and the path between the car park and the nature centre (accessed via a purpose-built ramp) is flat and well surfaced. 

For further inspiration about places you could explore, check out the national park-produced PDF guide to walks in Strathspey and Badenoch.

Accessible attractions

Many of the Cairngorms’ best visitor attractions are accessible. We've listed a few of our favourites here.

Strathspey Railway 

Running from the popular town of Aviemore to the peace and quiet of Broomhill in Abernethy, the Strathspey Railway runs vintage steam and diesel trains that pass through beautiful scenery at a leisurely pace. The railway has an accessible carriage that can accommodate up to two wheelchairs (check there’s space by booking over the phone), with extra-wide doors to ensure easy access. All stations along the route have accessible toilets. If you are starting your journey in Aviemore, use the car park to the east of the railway tracks for step-free access to the platform. 

Blair Atholl 

Located in the south of the national park, Blair Atholl’s castle is a fine example of the Scots Baronial style. While the upper floors of the castle are only accessible via stairs, the ground floor is fully wheelchair accessible and your ticket includes an audiovisual guide and introductory film. The grounds of Blair Castle are fully accessible and many of its paths are tarmacked. 

Highland Folk Museum 

The open-air Highland Folk Museum is located near the small town of Newtonmore, between the Monadhliath and Cairngorm mountains. It’s free to enter (although donations are welcome) and with flat, wide paths, it’s also accessible throughout. The main attraction here is the range of accurate replica Highland homes that depict life as it was here in the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries. Added bonuses for visitors with disabilities include tactile exhibits and informative audio guides. 

For more ideas of places to visit in the Cairngorms, check out our pages on family-friendly days out and the Cairngorms’ cultural highlights.

Adaptive sports and recreation

• If you’re looking for an easy and flexible way to explore the Cairngorms’ accessible footpaths, you might want to check out Highland Mobility Scooter Hire, a local business with a wide range of models available serving the Strathspey area and Inverness. 

• Accessible watersports are also available in the local area. Able 2 Adventure is a local business that specialises in making the outdoors more accessible and can organise disabled-friendly packrafting, canoeing and paddleboarding at venues like Loch Morlich, Loch Insh and, towards Inverness, the Muirton Basin or Caledonian Canal. Loch Insh watersports centre is also able to accommodate some disabilities for sailing and stand-up paddleboarding (check with them before booking) and has an accessible restaurant and toilets on site. 

• Adaptive winter sports can be experienced on Cairn Gorm mountain, whose popular ski centre hosts Disability Snowsport UK. This pioneering organisation runs a snow school that organises adaptive snowboarding, seated skiing and visually impaired skiing (where a guide is required), along with activities for skiers with learning difficulties. They also have adaptive equipment so visitors with disabilities can access the mountain’s ski lifts safely.

Accommodation and dining

Many of the Cairngorms’ restaurants take accessibility seriously. Tried-and-tested examples of places to eat in Strathspey include the Loch Insh activity centre restaurant, Cairn Gorm mountain’s base station café and The Barn Café on the Rothiemurchus Estate. On Deeside, the award-winning Fish Shop restaurant in Ballater is a fantastic place to sample some of the local seafood (it has step-free access and disabled toilets), while The Bothy Café in Braemar has a spacious covered decking area (accessible via a ramp) that is a nice place to stop on warm days; it also has accessible toilets. 

Scotland is home to lots of accessible accommodation options, including many campsites and glampsites with accessible amenities. The Cairngorms is no exception and has plenty of self-catering lodges, cabins and chalets, as well as many conventional hotels with accessible rooms. 

To find out more, check out our full range of outdoor accommodation in the Cairngorms.