Complete Cairngorms
Guided hiking in the Cairngorms National park
Explore Britain’s largest and most biologically diverse National Park.. At more than 3 times the size of London and with an altitude variation of nearly 4000ft, the Cairngorms National Park is a land of huge variety; the ancient Forest of Caledon with its noble pines, the dramatic high Cairngorm peaks with their tundra flora, the expansive heather moors and their secluded glens and distilleries. It’s home to 25% of Britain’s rarest wildlife – this guided hiking in the Cairngorms holiday gives you the full flavour of this wonderful area.
Most of our clients who spend time with us in the Cairngorms National Park are astonished by a great many things:
a) there are far fewer midges here than most of our guests expect to encounter. One of the most common pre-conceptions we deal with is the midge factor. Many of our clients approach their trip with some trepidation and come equipped with copious quantities of insect repellent; only to take most (if not all) of it home with them
b) “haven’t we been lucky with the weather” – actually, no – there are an astonishing number of sunny days here if you pick your route and time right. We’re very much in the “rain-shadow” of the main Cairngorm massif.
c) the right purple hue of the mountains in the main summer season – due of course to the heather bloom
Why not come up and experience some of the peace and tranquility of the Cairngorms National Park for yourself? We’ve taken care when designing the trip to make sure you’re well away from the tourist hotspots and won’t be troubled by crowds.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- 6 nights accommodation at Fraoch Lodge
- full board throughout your stay (including 2 course evening meals and picnic lunches)
- transport to and from the walks
- your guide
- pick up and drop off at Aviemore station
- visit to Glenlivet Distillery
- an evening at Speyside Wildlife Hide
- visit Balmoral castle (or when the castle is closed in August we’ll go to Braemar Castle instead)
- walk on the Glenfeshie Estate
GUIDED HIKING ROUTES IN THE CAIRNGORMS INCLUDE:
- Cairngorm summit
- Carn Daimh on the Glenlivet estate
- Balmoral Estate
- Carn Dearg Mor, Glenfeshie
RELATED BLOGS:
Why visit the Cairngorms National Park?
5 reasons to go hiking in Scotland
Arrive: On evening before walking begins. Try to aim for between 5 and 7pm so that you have time to settle in and meet the other members of the group before dinner at 7.30m.
Day 1: Ascent of Carn Daimh and visit to GLENLIVET DISTILLERY
470m of ascent and 9 miles (14km) on footpaths and tracks with some moderate gradients. Approx walking time excluding breaks: 4:30
Day 2: A hike to the Munro summit of Cairngorm followed by a visit to the STRATHSPEY WILDLIFE HIDE for a chance to spot red deer, pine marten and badgers at close quarters.
941m of ascent & 8 miles (13km) on footpaths and moderately rough ground. Some steeper ascents. Approx walking time excluding breaks: 5:15
Day 3: This is a rest day, a day to yourself, a chance to explore the local area under your own steam; pop up to Inverness for the day; or simply relax. Alternatively we can organise another activity for you.
Day 4: A walk in Royal Deeside on the BALMORAL Estate bought by Queen Victoria and still owned by our current Queen. We may also tour the castle if it is open.
9 miles (15km) & 454m of ascent on footpaths and tracks with mostly gentle gradient. Approx walking time excluding breaks: 5:00
Day 5: We will hike in Glen Feshie is regarded by many as the most beautiful in the area and stronghold to the most elusive of all, the native Scottish Wildcat.
706m of ascent & 13 miles (21km) generally gentle gradients on footpaths, tracks and moderately rough ground but with some steeper ascents. Approx walking time excluding breaks: 6:30
Depart: we will take you to connect with your onward travel or return transport. It’s a shame you have to leave, but we hope to see you again on one of our future trips.
The colours of summer in the Cairngorms National Park
We asked our guests what sets Scot Mountain Holidays apart, why they return year after year:
“the social aspect” – “the camaraderie, food and conversation” –
“the company of the hosts” – “so warm and welcoming” –
“a profound sense of belonging” – “the welcome of Rebecca’s home cooked meal” – “Andy’s skills as a guide, naturalist and leader” – “stewardship, sustainability and a small footprint” – “in harmony with the land” – “a slice of rural Scottish life”
Scot Mountain Holidays is the ONLY adventure tour operator in Highlands of Scotland with a combined home and guest lodge. We strive to be more than just an tour. We aim to provide you with a ‘home away from home’ on your adventures. We thought of no better way of doing this than to welcome you into our own home.
We have owned and operated Fraoch Lodge as our home base and business since 1999. In that time, we have come to embrace our guests as members of our extended Highland family.
We source our meals from locally produced and home grown ingredients to provide you with the most delicious flavours and traditions the area has to offer (while minimising our impact on the environment, too). Our dining room and lounge are shared spaces where we gather with guests and friends to share in the holiday and offer you extensive knowledge of your tour.
No matter the season, the Cairngorms and Fraoch Lodge is a place to relax and explore all its beauty and comforts, and we hope to make you feel as at home as we are.
Andy and Rebecca displaying their awards at Fraoch Lodge
We have achieved Gold Star Awards from the world’s most highly respected green accreditation scheme, Green Tourism, and were awarded Highly Commended in their Green Star Awards 2013 for both Scot Mountain Holidays and Fraoch Lodge. We offer a Green Travel Discount of £15 to any guests who travel to us by public transport. Our primary aim is to minimise the carbon footprint of our holidays, and to this end we donate 1% of the price of our tours to the RSPB’s Abernethy Reforestation project.
It is a holistic approach we have to the care of the environment. Andy your adventure guide has a passion for the natural world – whether it’s the flora, fauna or fungi. He has a background in geology and a lifelong interest in natural history, as well as being a keen gardener. He knows a Golden Plover from a Dotterel, a Green Shank and a Dunlin. He also makes no apologies to being very excitable upon spying a Golden Eagle!
For further information, please don’t hesitate to check out our Environmental Responsibility page, or contact us directly at info@scotmountainholidays.com.
Gold standard for Green Tourism
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