Capercaillie trail - Boat of Garten

Start / finish: Boat of Garten Community Hall 

Path: the path is wide with a compacted gravel surface. It is mostly flat with some short, gentle slopes and one moderate slope.  

The path corridor has clear visibility throughout, and there are no steps or barriers.  

Resting places: there is a covered picnic area at the community hall at the start. There are benches, picnic tables and perches dotted along the length of the path. 

Parking: car park at the community hall, with two marked disabled bays. 

Public transport: there is a bus stop near the start of the route: the stop for eastbound buses (from Aviemore) is 150m away, this is a grass verge roadside stop, and the stop for westbound buses (from Grantown) is 150m away, this is a pavement roadside stop. 

Toilets: Boat of Garten Community Hall, when the hall is open - wheelchair-accessible facilities. 

• Disabled parking at Boat of Garten Community Hall Barnaby Fogg

  

  
• The Boat of Garten Capercaillie accessible trail Barnaby Fogg

  

  
• Wooden bench on the Boat of Garten Capercaillie accessible trail Barnaby Fogg

  

  

Route description: 

• From the community hall car park, follow the tarmac path to the left of the hall building and to an open gateway at the entrance to the woods. There is an information panel here.
• As you enter the woods, you will see another interpretation panel in front of you which shows a map of the trail and provides information about the Capercaillie, after which the trail is named.
• Turn left and follow the path along the edge of the woods, with the playing field on your left. You will come to a wooden bench where you can take a moment to rest and enjoy the woods.
• Continue along the path which curves around to the right and up a gentle slope. You will reach the site of the old curling pond, now a bike park, where there is a picnic table if you want to pause and watch the cyclists in action.
• On passing the bike park, the path turns right, and winds through the lovely pine woodlands, with frequent perches and benches to rest on.
• As you reach another interpretation panel the path turns right and joins the straight main path leading back to the community hall. At this joining point, there is a bench in front of some birdfeeders – take a moment to pause and enjoy watching what bird life that is coming to feed.
• When you reach the community hall, turn right and follow along the back of the building to return to the open gateway where you entered the woodland.