Glenmore: Forest, Trails and History

Glenmore Forest Park lies in the heart of Cairngorms National Park. Forest, Loch Morlich and several clearly distinct trails are among the highlights of a stay in Glenmore. When planning, it helps to distinguish between circular walks, a route with two named endpoints, activities on the water and historic sites: each of these themes can be paired with a different day’s itinerary.

Forest and Nature

Glenmore Forest Park is home to centuries-old forests; at the same time, the park is part of the largest continuous area of native woodland in Britain. It is also one of the best places in Scotland to spot Scottish crossbills. Sightings of these birds may vary depending on the season. This means that, alongside the landscape, wildlife and its seasonal changes are also distinct themes to keep in mind during your stay.

Trails Around Glenmore

The Loch Morlich Trail is a two-hour circular walk through the forest, with beautiful views of the mountains. By contrast, the Ryvoan (Green Lochan) Trail is notable for its distance and path type: the relatively flat out-and-back route covers 3.5 miles (5.6 km) and follows firm paths or forest tracks. Comparing the two helps with planning your day: a duration is given for the Loch Morlich Trail, while a specific distance is provided for the Ryvoan Trail.

The Glenmore Beach Trail is an easy, yellow-marked circular walk to Loch Morlich and its inland beach. It is suitable for wheelchairs, scooters and pushchairs; check current trail conditions before your visit. Another option is the Old Logging Way: this six-mile route runs between Aviemore and the Glenmore Forest Park Visitor Centre. It is traffic-free, well surfaced and firm, with mostly gentle slopes. Circular walks return to their starting point, while the Old Logging Way connects two named places.

Before setting out, check the latest advice from Forestry and Land Scotland and the condition of the access paths. This will help you choose a route to suit its particular characteristics: a stated duration, a known distance, a circular walk or a route between two endpoints.

Loch Morlich and Practical Information

As well as trails, Loch Morlich offers opportunities to get out on the water. You can canoe there; visitors may use non-motorised watercraft. Check local conditions and restrictions before taking part. Buses between Aviemore and the Cairngorm Mountain Ski Centre pass Loch Morlich Beach. If you plan to use this connection, check the latest timetable before travelling.

For the Glenmore Beach Trail, the stated starting point depends on how you arrive: if you hire a mobility scooter at Glenmore Forest Park Visitor Centre, the trail starts there; otherwise, it starts at the Beach Car Park. As parking arrangements may change, check the latest information before setting off. Accessible public toilets are available at Glenmore Visitor Centre. Visitor facilities may change, so a quick check before your visit can help you plan accordingly.

History of the Area

History is also part of Glenmore’s story. The remains of the Beglan settlement (Township), believed to date to around 1740, are located there. Another historical connection dates to the Second World War: Norwegian resistance fighters trained in the Glenmore area as part of the top-secret Special Operations Executive (SOE) and became known as Kompani Linge. A memorial to the Kompani Linge resistance fighters stands just outside Glenmore Visitor Centre. This means that nature trails and historic sites can be considered as distinct focal points for planning your trip.

On Glenmore Lodge’s page, updated on 5 June 2023, mountain biking is listed as a course discipline. Course offerings may change, so check which courses are currently available before planning.

Discover more destinations: Fassfern, Bunchrew, Spean Bridge, Insh, Garve, Bonar Bridge, Tongue, Totscore

For the broader travel overview: Highland.