A wholesome trip to Scotland, with lots of cycling, hiking, a roller coaster of sun and snow, and the most amount of lochs i've ever seen in just 4 days.
Aviemore
We stayed in a little village just outside of Aviemore called Carrbridge. The Airbnb was peaceful and well equipped for everything we needed during our stay. A car is definitely essential when staying in the small village, as it was about a 5 minute drive along a main road into the small town of Aviemore, and a 15 minute drive into the centre of Inverlochy. Aviemore is located within the Cairngorms National Park. It is well known for mountain scenery, cycling routes, hiking, ski resorts, and sandy lochs!
Packing list
Leggings
Tops
Toiletries
Waterproof trousers and jacket
Walking boots and trainers
Hiking backpack
Water Bladder
A game changer throughout the trip was definitely using a water bladder instead of a bottle. This fits easily in most hiking backpacks, for easy hydration.
Bike ride
On the first day of our trip we decided to do a 26 mile bike ride through the Cairngorms... bearing in mind I never go cycling. However, it was 100% worth every second for the amazing scenery. We were also lucky enough to have incredibly sunny weather, which made the ride a much more enjoyable experience.
I rented a bike from Aviemore Bike shop, which cost £35 from 10am-4pm, however they generously allowed us to collect the bike the evening before. We followed the Ryvoan and Lochan Uaine bike trail, which can be found on Strava. On average, the trail takes around 3 hours to ride, however it did take us around 4 hours, including lots of breaks and sightseeing.
The route begins in the town of Aviemore, following the paths along the road before you reach Glenmore Forest. There are a few steep inclines along the first push, however once you reach Lochan Uaine, also known as the Green Loch, it's definitely worth it. The loch is within the first quarter of the ride, with lots of places to sit and take a break, whilst enjoying the beautiful scenery.
Another spot to look out for is Loch Garten (first image on post); a mini sandy beach, overlooked by tall trees and mountains. You're allowed to swim in most lochs within the Cairngorms, however there may be certain times of the year when it is suggested not to do so.
After the loch, it's mostly downhill, which was a big relief after riding for many hours. The last push is through a small village called Boat of Garten, where there are a few small shops and pubs to grab some food. The trail finishes where you started, completing a full circle around the forest. The day ended with a well deserved pizza at Cheese and Tomatin Aviemore cafe.
Loch Morlich
Located just outside of Aviemore in Glenmore is Loch Morlich, which is known for the variety of watersports, including, kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding and sailing. The freshwater loch is surrounded by a sandy beach, mountain views and peaceful forest trails.
Nearby to the Loch is a cafe called The Pine Marten Bar; a cosy alpine style cafe offering meals throughout the day and live music events in the evening. I would definitely recommend the loaded chilli chips, especially after a long walk!
Part 2
The Cairngorms part two includes: feeding wild reindeer, waterfalls, polar bears and of course... more lochs!
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