10 Wee Wildlife Walks

Here are 10 fantastic Wee Walks from across the Cairngorms National Park that’ll give you a great chance to spot some of our wonderful wildlife and experience our amazing landscapes.

1. Glenmore Forest Park

Beach Trail – from the Glenmore visitor centre follow the yellow way markers meandering through the beautiful pine, birch & alder woods by the Allt Mor burn.  Look out for the dipper in the burn, bobbing in the water hunting invertebrates amongst the gravel bed.  Mergansers and goldeneye ducks are often spotted on the lower reaches of the burn as it reaches the loch.

Allow 1 hour for this walk on wide smooth gravel paths, with some short fairly steep slopes in places, includes 2 road crossings.

Visit www.forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/forest-parks/glenmore-forest-park for further information.

2. RSPB Insh Marshes

Invertromie Trail – follow the orange way markers from the reserve car park, through a variety of rich habitats from the wetland grasses & sedges to aspen tree stands & classic marsh land. The trail takes you to the Lookout, Gordonhall & Invertromie bird hides.  From the hides look out for curlew, lapwings, goldeneye and osprey.  Roe deer are often spotted grazing in the scrubby vegetation.

Allow an hour to complete this mile long trail on unsurfaced grounds with some steep slopes.  Lookout hide is wheelchair accessible.

Visit www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/insh-marshes for further information.

3. RSPB Loch Garten

Two lochs Trail – follow the way marked trail from the Loch Mallachie car park.  Passing through the stunning Caledonian pine forest look out for red squirrels, roe deer, wood ant nests & listen for crested tits.  Follow the trail past Loch Garten & Loch Mallachie look out for goldeneye ducks on the water & common sandpipers along the shore.

This circular trail is 1.7 miles / 2.7km, following wide trails, uneven in places.

Visit www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-a-z/loch-garten for further information.

4. Cambus O’ May

Two Lochans Trail – follow the red trail from the car park. Wander beneath majestic douglas firs listening for red squirrels clattering up & through the trees.  Reach a pair of picture perfect lochans looking out for damselflies & dragonflies dancing over the water on warm sunny days.

This walk takes around 1 hour on uneven gravel surfaces with grassy muddy parts and some steep stepped sections.

Visit https://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/visit/cambus-omay for further information.

5. Craigellachie NNR

Lochan Trail – Follow the blue waymarkers on this easy trail that goes round the banks of Loch Puladdern. A short distance from Aviemore this quiet peaceful woodland is a tonic to escape from the hurly burley of the village. A haven for wildlife watch out for Peregrines on the cliff above, dragon flies darting on the loch and fungi in the Autum.

This walk is 0.7km long on good surfaces throughout.

Visit https://www.nature.scot/visit-craigellachie-national-nature-reserve to find out more.

6. Glen Doll

South Esk trail – follow the yellow marker posts on this magical walk beside the babbling South Esk, look out for dippers & grey wagtail in the waters. When the trail opens up remember to look up at the views to the top of Glen Clova, you may spot a golden eagle circling overhead.

Allow 1 hour, sections og trail are on uneven grassy / earthy path, narrow & rocky in places.  Some steeper sections and one road section.

Visit www.angusalive.scot/countryside-adventure/visit-us/glen-doll/ for further information.

7. Mar Lodge Estate

Glen Liu trail – starting at the Linn of Dee car park follow the blue marker posts through the pine woods, look out for red squirrels as you go. Find the remains of the old salmon ladder among the raging waters of the lui & see if you can spot dippers & goosanders along the way,  Remember to look up at the breath taking views into the mountains as the same time.

Allow 1.5 hours along mainly smooth narrow paths with some uneven sections.

Visit https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/mar-lodge-estate for further information.

8. Burn O’ Vat

Parkin’s Moss trail – starting from the Burn O Vat visitor centre follow the purple trail along the boardwalks. Travel across the raised bog, a mysterious place where the ground is more water than solid earth. Listen for the many birds that take shelter in the surrounding woodland, over the bogs watch for colourful dragonflies chasing each other and spot the insect eating plants like sundews and butterworts.

Allow 1.5 hours along firm gravel, earth and boardwalk trail, uneven in places.

Visit https://www.nature.scot/…/muir-dinnet-national-nature-reserve for further information.

9. Blair Atholl

Banvie Burn Walk – starting from the Glen Tilt car park, follow the black trail into the woodlands with the Banvie burn below you look out for red squirrels as you head into this steep gorge where rhododendron bushes hug the sides. Crossing an initial bridge cross the second bridge and look up at the spectacular view to the open moor, a perfect spot to look out for red deer.

This walk is 3 miles following uneven paths that can be muddy in places.

Visit https://atholl-estates.co.uk/estate-activities/ranger for further information.

10. Killiecrankie

Wildlife Walk to the Falls of Tummel. Starting from the Killiecrankie visitor centre follow the clearly marked trails.  As well as being well known for the battle that took place between the Jacobites and government troops in 1689, it is also an area rich for wildlife.

A network of riverside paths explore the pass and Linn of Tummel, look out for red squirrels, finches, blackbirds and wrens in the woodlands, on the waters edge see if you can spot a salmon leaping.

To walk from the visitor centre to the falls of tummel is 1.5 miles, along good paths with steps and some steep sections at the Soldiers leap.

Visit https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/killiecrankie for further information.