Cairngorms (Aviemore), United Kingdom

Cairngorms Aviemore

The UK's largest national park, with pine forests, lochs and mountain plateaus.

  • All year
  • 2 nights
Explore on the map
Nearby hidden places
GlencoeUnited Kingdom · Nature spotGlencoe96 kmEilean Donan CastleUnited Kingdom · Hidden townEilean Donan Castle102 kmDunnottar CastleUnited Kingdom · Hidden townDunnottar Castle102 kmGlenfinnanUnited Kingdom · Hidden townGlenfinnan103 kmSt AndrewsUnited Kingdom · Hidden townSt Andrews114 kmObanUnited Kingdom · Hidden townOban132 kmLoch LomondUnited Kingdom · Nature spotLoch Lomond140 kmEdinburghUnited Kingdom · CityEdinburgh143 km

Things to do

2 days in Cairngorms

Day 1

  1. MorningWalk around Loch an Eilein and its island castle ruin, among old Caledonian pines.
  2. AfternoonVisit the Cairngorm reindeer herd, the only free-ranging one in Britain, on a guided hill trip.
  3. EveningHave dinner in Aviemore, or a whisky in a local pub.

Day 2

Walk the Ryvoan Pass to the Green Loch, or tour a distillery on the Speyside trail.

What to eat

Venison stew and a Speyside single malt whisky.

Local tips

Make the most of Cairngorms

Beat the crowds

Summer and winter weekends are busy. Weekdays are calm.

Best photo spot

Loch an Eilein with its island castle ruin.

Getting there

Trains run to Aviemore from Edinburgh and Inverness.

Don't miss nearby

The reindeer herd at Glenmore and the funicular on Cairn Gorm.

Good to know

Look for red squirrels in the pine forests. Weather on the plateau can be extreme.

Secret spots

2 secret spots near Cairngorms

Our most hidden places around Cairngorms: fewer people, same wow. Unlock them with a route in Google Maps and a PDF guide of Cairngorms to take with you.

52 km away
55 km away
Unlock the secret spots · €2.99+ VAT · one payment, valid for a year

Plan your visit

Getting to Cairngorms

Getting there

  • Inverness Airport (INV)40 km away
  • Edinburgh Airport (EDI)140 km away
  • Edinburgh145 km away
  • Glasgow150 km away

Reachable by car or public transport; a car gives you more freedom to explore the area. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeAll year
TypeNature spot
Good forNature
Getting thereCar or public transport
Stay2 nights
CountryUnited Kingdom

Questions

Cairngorms: good to know

Is Cairngorms worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like nature. The UK's largest national park, with pine forests, lochs and mountain plateaus.

How many days do you need in Cairngorms?

Plan 2 nights. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Cairngorms?

You can visit all year. Summer and winter weekends are busy. Weekdays are calm.

How do you get to Cairngorms?

The nearest airport is Inverness Airport (INV), about 40 km away. Trains run to Aviemore from Edinburgh and Inverness.

What is there to see near Cairngorms?

Nearby hidden places include Glencoe (96 km), Eilean Donan Castle (102 km) and Dunnottar Castle (102 km).

More hidden places in United Kingdom (45)