Walk 1906 - printer friendly version

Lochan Mor & Rothiemurchus Forest from Inverdruie Walk

Author - Andy Smith

Length - 3.6 miles / 5.9 km

Ascent - 200 feet / 61 metres

Grade - easy/mod

Start - OS grid reference NH902109
Lat 57.175743 + Long -3.8177483
Postcode PH22 1QH (approx. location only)

Despite its huge scale, Rothiemurchus Forest offers some surprisingly good quality short family routes, which are hidden away from the crowds. As with all walks in the Cairngorms National Park, each route should be treated with the utmost of respect as in winter as forest temperature can plummet dramatically in the space of a few hours.

This short walk starts from the tiny village of Inverdruie opposite the Rothiemurchus Visitor Centre (grid ref. NH902109) where a small free car park is located next to the village green. Leave the car park to the south down the tiny B970. Continue for 100m until another short road meets from the left. Turn down this road and take the footpath on the right leading into the forest.

Continue south on this track for quite some while as you pass open fields to your right which allow great views across the Monadhliath Mountains. After 20 minutes the path splits into two options at NH904100, ignore any circular route signs and continue south-southwest towards Lochan Mor.

Lochan Mor is located in a pretty setting. Despite its small size it still makes a worthwhile objective for a walk. Probably best enjoyed in mid winter, on a typical clear sunny winter's Cairngorm day this area makes a cracking spot for lunch as you look out across the water in this ancient pine forest.

Leave the Lochan on the main track heading west. Continue on towards the road and Milton Cottage. Road reached, turn left crossing the stream and head along side Milton Burn until Loch an Eilein car park is reached. For those who have yet to undertake walk 3299 this could be your opportunity. This route adds about one hour for a complete circuit of the loch. For those just wishing to press on, take the tiny track northeast (grid ref. NH897086) passing the deer fence to your left and onwards towards the Croft. Continue along this track until Blackpark is reached. Join the road and follow it back north into Inverdruie passing the Visitor Centre where a cafe can be found for refreshments opposite your car.

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