Why visit Aviemore?
Winter sports on Cairn Gorm mountain
Once a sleepy little town in the Cairngorms, over the last few decades Aviemore has become a hub for winter sports. In town you’ll see cosy log cabin cafés and winter sports shops, with most skiing taking place a few miles down the road on Cairn Gorm, a 1,245-metre mountain that’s often said to be one of the best places for downhill skiing and ski touring in the UK.
Several winter sports schools operate on the mountain, with chairlifts, toilets and a restaurant available. Good skiing conditions can often last well into the spring months across the mountain’s 18 miles of ski runs, with snow cannons in place to provide an extra layer if needed.
The Speyside Way
Aviemore is also at the start of the Speyside Way, a popular long-distance route that covers some of the prettiest parts of the Scottish countryside. Taking in wooded valleys, peaceful rivers, the wild moors around Glenlivet and the shores of the north-east coast, this waymarked trail also passes around 20 distilleries, making it a must for fans of malt whisky.
Sand, sports and nature walks
A few minutes’ drive from Aviemore, Loch Morlich has a natural white sand beach and a spacious area for wild swimming. There’s also a café here for refreshments, and watersports like kayaking and canoeing are on offer too. If you want to catch your breath, it’s also a great spot just to stretch out on the sand with a good book…
Also a few minutes’ drive from Aviemore, the Rothiemurchus and Glenmore forests are well worth exploring for their gorgeous nature trails, which are full of pine trees, wildflowers and rare fungi.
Fab family-friendly activities
Aviemore has more than its fair share of adventurous activities to keep the whole family entertained in the surrounding area. Go-karting, miniature land rovers, high ropes courses, segway tours, quad biking, archery and clay pigeon shooting are just some of the options on offer.
Aviemore’s best attractions
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Book a ticket for the Strathspey Steam Railway and take a nostalgic journey through handsome Highland scenery
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Take the time to sample local drinks at the Cairngorm Brewery in town, or head a couple of miles to the south for a malt-flavoured visit to the Kinrara Distillery
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Nearby Landmark Forest Adventure Park is one of Scotland’s premier theme parks, with dinosaurs, a rollercoaster and lots of other family-friendly rides to try out
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Track down tigers, wolves and camels as well as rare native species like capercaillies at Highland Wildlife Park
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Go birdwatching at Loch Garten, a peaceful RSPB reserve a few miles to the north of Aviemore and one of the best places to see ospreys in this part of Scotland
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Explore historic stately homes in the surrounding area like Blair Castle and Balmoral, the royal family’s favourite summer residence – both are an hour or so's drive from Aviemore
Unexplored Aviemore
Hidden lochs
There are dozens of lochs and lochans to explore in the surrounding area, but some are more remote than others. We’ve picked three of our favourites below:
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Loch An Eilein (in Scottish Gaelic, ‘loch of the island’) is a spectacular place to explore on the Rothiemurchus Estate. A short drive from Aviemore, it has ample parking and several signposted low-level routes, as well as an island with a ruined 14th-century castle that further adds to the scenery.
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Slightly more remote is An Lochan Uaine (also known as the Green Loch) in Glenmore Forest. The nearest car park to this loch – which is surrounded by pine trees that give it its gorgeous greenish tinge – is about a 40-minute walk away along a well-maintained flat path, but the walk is well worth the effort.
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At the more extreme end of the scale is Loch A’an (also called Loch Avon), an isolated freshwater lake with a sandy beach in a remote location on the other side of Cairn Gorm mountain. This is a very challenging walk that requires good fitness, a map, navigation skills and good weather conditions. The views, though, will be worth it.
Cairngorm reindeer
The Cairngorms is the only place in the UK with a herd of free-ranging reindeer. Introduced into the countryside in the 1950s, today the 150-strong herd can regularly be seen around Aviemore. To be sure of spotting them, you can also head to the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre for a guided wildlife-spotting tour.
Strathspey Storywalks
For a slower-paced adventure in the local landscape, book a storywalk around Aviemore and learn about the trees, flowers and history of the Cairngorms with a qualified local guide. You’ll also get the chance to forage for ingredients to brew your own pot of wild tea.
Here’s how
Ready to start looking for a campsite near Aviemore? Start by finding somewhere to stay that’s right for you – and that includes glamping options, motorhome parks and caravan pitches as well as traditional tent campsites. Popular options include:
Still seeking your ideal pitch? Similar Highland destinations in the surrounding area include Fort William, Fort Augustus and Ullapool. You can also find more destinations, walks and inspiration for great days out in our regional guide to the Highlands.
