For information about some of the special places in the Cairngorms Connect area, and places of interest, visit the visitor facilities shown on the below map:
Explore Abernethy Visitor Centre, Nethybridge
Two nationally promoted routes pass through parts of the Cairngorms Connect area:
You will also find locally promoted paths around
Loch Garten
Big Pines - 0.5 miles / 0.8km - linear trail from the Osprey Centre car park to the Loch Mallachie car park, past some of the biggest Scots pines on the reserve.
Two Lochs - 1.7 miles / 2.7km circular trail, from the Loch Mallachie car park, through Caledonian pine forest and past Loch Garten and Loch Mallachie.
Nethybridge (Explore Abernethy routes)
You have a right of responsible access in Scotland, to almost anywhere - so you can walk more widely than just these trails. However, it’s a good idea to be clear of your responsibilities as a visitor. If you are unsure, check out the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
There are three bothies in the Cairngorms Connect area, and one Emergency Mountain Shelter [map].
Drake’s Bothy, Inshriach - at NH 883 055
A former shooting bothy built in the 1930s. This is a basic timber hut amongst the trees in Inshriach Forest. It is owned and maintained by NatureScot.
Ruigh-aiteachain Bothy, Glen Feshie - NN 847 298
Substantially renovated in 2017, this is a large bothy with 2 wood-burning stoves and a separate toilet a short distance from the bothy. The building is owned by Wildland Limited, and maintained by the Mountain Bothies Association. For more information, check the MBA website.
Ryvoan Bothy, Abernethy - NJ 006115
A small bothy, with no toilet facilities. The building is owned by the RSPB, and is maintained by the Mountain Bothies Association. For more information, check the MBA website.
Fords of A’an Refuge, below Loch A’an - NJ 042 032
This is an Emergency Refuge, rather than a Bothy. It is in a very remote location, and comprises one small well-insulated, weather-tight room, with no other facilities, for use in the event of emergency need. Owned by the RSPB and maintained by the Mountain Bothies Association.
You have a right of responsible access in Scotland - to find out what that means, please take a look at the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. You can find it here.
The guidance is comprehensive, and covers issues such as:
Lighting fires - see also, this helpful article from Walk Highland.
Extra guidance
The Cairngorms Connect area is of international importance for an amazing variety of species and habitats, some of which are highly susceptible to disturbance and damage. At some times of year, you may find we have put out extra guidance at trail-heads asking you to take special precautions, for example avoiding visiting some places at certain times, or asking you to keep your dog on a lead in some locations. Please help us to help sensitive wildlife, by watching out for and following this guidance. Thanks.
The Cairngorms Connect area is close to a number of towns and villages, each offering accommodation, places to eat and other services. For more information try the following websites:
The Cairngorms National Park Authority website (http://cairngorms.co.uk) also has a wealth of useful information about the local area, and the Cairngorms National Park in general.
