The Glenmore and Strath Nethy wildfire has resulted in popular visitor areas, attractions and paths being closed to the public, particularly around the Glenmore and Cairngorm Mountain area. The emergency services have these areas cordoned off for safety and these areas should be avoided for now. 

However, there are many alternative places to visit where you can enjoy a woodland walk, discover a lochan hidden amongst the trees, enjoy panoramic hilltop views or follow a river as it meanders through the landscape. There are over 100 local paths and trails in the National Park, with a network of paths around every community just waiting to be explored.

Open for walking

If you don’t want to go further afield and are looking for other routes near to the affected wildfire areas, here are some suggestions for local routes in the Glenmore / Aviemore and Nethy Bridge areas.

Aviemore area

There are six waymarked trails to explore around the village of Aviemore, including routes around woodland, along rivers and up hills. Ranging from ½ mile to 4 miles, there is a trail for everyone, view the routes here - Aviemore paths

For a longer walk or cycle you can follow the Speyside Way either north to Boat of Garten or south to Kincraig. Alternatively walk or cycle on the Old Logging Way from Aviemore to Inverdruie where you’ll find the Rothiemurchus visitor centre and further waymarked routes including the Beaver trail. Please note - the Old Logging Way path and the road are closed after Coylumbridge.

Nethy Bridge area

Around the village of Nethy Bridge there are eight waymarked trails exploring the River Nethy, the historic Castle Roy and the ancient pine woodland. Please do not explore any further into the Abernethy woodland than the waymarked trail network.

You can also follow the Speyside Way through the pine forest to reach Boat of Garten or head in the opposite direction along the old railway line to reach Grantown-on-Spey.

Closed for now

Due to the ongoing wildfire incident, the following paths and routes are closed:

• All the paths around Loch Morlich, Glenmore and Badaguish are closed.
• The Ryvoan pass is closed, this includes all access to Lochan Uaine (Green Lochan).
• The Abernethy Forest area to the south of Forest Lodge and towards Ryvoan bothy is closed. 

For more details of specific path closures and alternative routes please see our path closures page.

Woodland lochans to visit

While it is not possible to visit Lochan Uaine (the Green Lochan) at the moment, there are lots of other picturesque lochans nestled within woodlands in the local Badenoch and Strathspey area that you can visit instead:

• Craighellachie old reservoir (Aviemore) - Buzzard Trail
• Loch an Eilein (Inverdruie, nr Aviemore) - Map - Rothiemurchus
• Loch Mallachie (nr Loch Garten) - Loch Mallachie
• Uath lochans (Feshiebridge) - Visitor Information for Uath Lochans Forest | FLS

Mini mountains to climb

If you are looking for the challenge of a mini mountain with a good access route and magnificent views, while the Meall a’ Bhuachaille path is closed, why not try one of these routes instead:

Badenoch and Strathspey area:

• Craigellachie (Aviemore) - Viewpoint trail
• Creag Bheag (Kingussie) - Creag Bheag

A bit further afield:

• Carn Daimh (Nr Tomintoul) - Our walks | Glenlivet Estate
• Morrone (Braemar) - Morrone

Hill walking and mountain access

Routes from Glenmore providing access to Cairngorm, the Northern Corries, Meall a’Bhuachaille, Strath Nethy and Bynack More are closed at present due to the ongoing wildfire incident and damage caused by the firefighting activity.

If heading into the hills, please double check latest updates before heading out and be prepared to change your plans. Smoke from the wildfire can be a hazard and may encountered a significant distance from the incident area. For more info / specific guidance on hillwalking go to the Mountaineering Scotland website.

Trails and visitor infrastructure

The map is kept as up to date as possible, but please always follow any onsite signs or directions from the emergency services, rangers and estate staff.

We hope you enjoy exploring the National Park, but please do so responsibly. This is a special place with beautiful landscapes and rare wildlife. You can help protect the local wildlife by following all signs and keeping dogs close by.  To help protect the National Park a seasonal fire byelaw is in place. It is not permitted to light a campfire or use a barbecue between 1 April and 30 September.

Path closures

As a result of the wildfire, path closures are required to allow operations to be undertaken safely, both to protect public safety and facilitate the works. Paths and woodland areas may need to remain closed for some time to allow safety assessments and repairs to be undertaken of paths damaged by firefighting activity.

These path closures and access restrictions are permitted under Section 15 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, which allows for appropriate measures to be taken to warn the public of, and protect the public from, danger.