Loch Morlich & Glenmore

Glenmore Forest Park sits in the shadow of the northern corries of the Cairngorms, about ten kilometres east of Aviemore, and Loch Morlich is its heart. The loch is one of the highest beaches in Britain, with a crescent of pale sand, shallow clear water and a backdrop of Scots pine and heather that looks more like Scandinavia than Scotland. On a warm day families picnic and paddle on the beach, while in the water you will find sailors, windsurfers, kayakers and stand-up paddle-boarders from the watersports centre on the shore. The forest park offers a network of waymarked trails of varied length, from a gentle shoreline circuit of about six kilometres to climbs up into the high corries, and it is the starting point for walks to Ryvoan Pass, the Green Lochan and the Chalamain Gap. A visitor centre, cafe and campsite make Glenmore a natural base for a day or an overnight stay, and it is also the road that leads to Cairngorm Mountain, the reindeer centre and the sled-dog kennels, so it forms the hub of outdoor Cairngorms.

The simplest plan is a day built around the water and the forest. In summer start with a walk around the loch on the sandy shore path, which takes roughly ninety minutes at an easy pace and has spectacular views of the Cairngorm skyline reflected in the water. Afterwards hire a kayak, canoe or paddleboard, take a lesson if you are new to it, or simply swim from the beach if you are brave; the water is cold even in July, and the nearest it comes to warm is a bearable chill on a sunny afternoon.

The watersports centre provides equipment, buoyancy aids and instruction, and prices are reasonable compared with many UK lakes.

The forest is the real attraction in other seasons. Autumn paints the birches and larches gold, winter brings snow and skiing access via the road to the mountain, and spring offers bird song and the first flowers under the pines. Wildlife is abundant: red squirrels, crossbills, crested tits, and in winter mountain hares on the higher ground. Quiet early mornings reward patient walkers, and the forest park has an extensive set of bike routes for riders who prefer two wheels, with hire available in Aviemore.

Camping and campervan stays are a major part of Glenmore culture, with a well-run campsite in the forest and a youth hostel nearby; booking ahead is essential in summer. Wild camping is subject to local byelaws in the Glenmore area during peak seasons, so check the current rules rather than assuming. Fires are controlled, and the area is sensitive to wildfire, so follow all instructions on signs and from rangers.

A final tip is to combine Glenmore with its neighbours. The Cairngorm Reindeer Centre is a few minutes away at the visitor area, the road continues up to the ski area and funicular base, and the Ryvoan Pass walk begins within a few minutes of the loch. A full day can thus include a swim, a forest walk, a reindeer visit and an evening back in Aviemore, which is why many families choose Glenmore as the centre of a Cairngorms trip.

Parking charges apply at some areas, and facilities such as toilets and a shop are close to the beach.