Boat of Garten trails
Alert
Boat of Garten is a peaceful Highland village on the River Spey within the Cairngorms National Park. Offering an abundance of wildlife, magnificent scenery, diverse sporting and leisure activities and a traditional Highland welcome can be found as you explore the village.
A network of paths and tracks lead out of the village, providing a variety of circular routes to enjoy with fine views, a rich local history and opportunities to spot some native wildlife.
There are five waymarked trails which start in Boat of Garten and explore the surrounding woods, ponds and the River Spey. A further three trails explore the nearby Abernethy National Nature Reserve and Loch Garten. Alternate parking and start points are available for these, or you can really stretch your legs and walk from the village.
For a much longer walk or a great cycle, you can follow the Speyside Way either to Aviemore (heading south) or to Nethy Bridge (heading north-east).
Boat of Garten is a peaceful Highland village on the River Spey within the Cairngorms National Park. Offering an abundance of wildlife, magnificent scenery, diverse sporting and leisure activities and a traditional Highland welcome can be found as you explore the village.
A network of paths and tracks lead out of the village, providing a variety of circular routes to enjoy with fine views, a rich local history and opportunities to spot some native wildlife.
There are five waymarked trails which start in Boat of Garten and explore the surrounding woods, ponds and the River Spey. A further three trails explore the nearby Abernethy National Nature Reserve and Loch Garten. Alternate parking and start points are available for these, or you can really stretch your legs and walk from the village.
For a much longer walk or a great cycle, you can follow the Speyside Way either to Aviemore (heading south) or to Nethy Bridge (heading north-east).
Alert
Quick resources
Paths and trails
Need to know
We hope you enjoy exploring the trails around Boat of Garten, but please do so responsibly. The National Park is a special place with rare wildlife, some of which is sensitive to disturbance. You can help protect the local wildlife by following all signs and keeping dogs close by or on a lead where requested.
Please help conserve capercaillie in Garten Woods by keeping your dog on a short lead and on the path from April to mid-August.
Towns and villages
Relevant alerts
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There is an extreme risk of wildfire impacting the National Park from Friday 11 July until Monday 14 July.
- Do not light any fire or barbeque
- Always ensure cigarettes are fully extinguished and take your litter (including glass) away with you
- Enjoy the outdoors responsibly - most wildfires are caused by human activity
- Stay alert - with dry vegetation and warm weather, fires can start easily, spread rapidly, and burn intensely
- If you see a wildfire, dial 999
For updates, visit the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website.
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There are only 532 capercaillie left in the UK. Over 85% of those birds live in a handful of forests in the Cairngorms National Park.
The species is protected under UK law, which makes it a criminal offence to disturb them whilst they are breeding. Breeding season lasts from 1 April to 31 August. Capercaillie need all our help to survive so please #LekItBe and don't go looking for capercaillie.
Latest update: Some male birds are displaying in prominent places near to other breeding capercaillie to attract the attention of females. Visitors are advised to take particular care as birds may also attack you as their testosterone levels are high. There have already been incidents of people being injured by the birds so please follow the signs in place for your own safety too.
In particular, members of the public are being advised not to use the following paths into Abernethy Forest from Glenmore and Nethy Bridge during early mornings (before 8.30am) over the next few weeks to avoid disturbing breeding capercaillie:
- Ryvoan Bothy to Forest Lodge path
- Vehicle access track to Forest Lodge
- Dell Road to Forest Lodge track
- Forest Lodge to Rynettin path
Additional information:
