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      Wilderness Walking

      Cairngorms National Park & Royal Deeside

      112 reviews

      Next Trip: 22nd - 28th Apr 2023 Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights

      From £1,885 View Prices & Dates

      Travel Planning & Advice

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      Trip created by Stevie Christie
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      Region: Cairngorms and Central Highlands
      Trip Type: Wilderness Walking
      Accommodation: Classic
      Max Group Size: 8
      Confirmed: When 2 Travellers Book
      Deposit From: £471.25 £471.25

      Grading:

      Carbon Footprint: 105kg ? What does this mean?
      Click here to find out about our carbon labelling project and what we're doing to be more sustainable.

      All you need to know about your trip, this essential document is a must for all adventures.

      Download Itinerary

      Hiking in the Cairngorms National Park is a special experience as we explore a region named by National Geographic as one of the 50 Must Visit Places on Earth.

      From the majesty of Royal Deeside (where the royal family have their Scottish residence at Balmoral Castle) to Strathspey, where the high plateau rises above the charming villages, flanked by some of Scotland’s oldest forests, Cairngorm National Park delights at every turn.

      On this walking holiday, we enjoy some of the best easy hikes in the Cairngorms National Park as we explore Strathspey, Royal Deeside and Highland Perthshire on a two-centre circumnavigation of Scotland’s largest National Park. There is a huge variety of possible hikes to choose from, but wherever we venture, we’ll enjoy the fantastic scenery, sense of wilderness and rich history and heritage.

      As well as savouring its wilderness, we’ll discover its heritage as we visit a 13th century Highland Castle and a wildlife reserve on this memorable walking holiday.

      Trip Highlights

      • Hike on ancient whisky smugglers' trails and and wild paths in the most extensive range of high mountains in the UK.
      • Discover the majesty of the deep glens, clear rivers and wild lochs on expertly guided walks.
      • Enjoy the huge variety of wildlife to be found in the Cairngorms National Park.

      Did you know?


      This trip can be booked as a private departure


      Learn more

      Day by Day Itinerary

      Day 1 – Hiking the trails of Royal Deeside

      From Aviemore, a transfer south-east takes us to Royal Deeside, best known for being the Scottish home of the Royal family, but it also boasts fine walks in an ancient wooded landscape. We’ll enjoy a short walk, taking in stunning views and spotting some of the local wildlife. We finish up the afternoon by transferring to the beautiful village of Braemar and our guest house accommodation for the next few nights. (L, D)

      Walk details: various options up to approx. 9.5 km/6 miles | 300 m/980 ft of ascent |  approx. 3 – 4 hours

      Day 2 – The Cuckoo Glen and the Devil's Punchbowl

      This circular hike is one of the best in Royal Deeside. We follow a good trail north to the edge of the Cairngorm plateau, where some of the highest peaks in Scotland rise from the deep glens. The wilderness is striking and the beauty is all around. The rivers are a real highlight with the striking rock features of the Linn of Dee and the Devil’s Punchbowl most notable. Overnight Royal Deeside. (B, L, D)

      Walk details: 17 km/10 miles | 200 m/650 ft of ascent | approx. 6 hours

      Day 3 – The Shadow of Lochnagar

      This superb circular hike explores Glen Muick, which lies in the shadow of the famous peak of Lochnagar. It takes us through ancient pine forest, past one of Queen Victoria’s hunting lodges and beneath towering cliffs as we circumnavigate beautiful Loch Muick. It’s also a great place for spotting wildlife – look out for red deer and golden eagles. Overnight Royal Deeside. (B, L, D)

      Walk details: 12 km/7 miles | 200 m/650 ft of ascent | approx. 5 hours

      Day 4 – Highland Perthshire and Strathspey

      We transfer west into Highland Perthshire, where we make our way to a 13th-century castle for a hike on its vast estate. We enjoy a level route through a beautiful forest in a steep-sided glen. We finish back at the castle, with time for a tour of its interior and perhaps the gardens too. A short transfer north takes us into Strathspey and our base for the next 3 nights, a small B&B in a sleepy Cairngorm village. (B, L, D)

      Walk details: 9 km/6 miles | 100 m/320 ft of ascent | approx. 4-5 hours

      Day 5 – River Feshie and Loch Insh

      Glen Feshie is widely considered one of the most beautiful Cairngorm glens, and as the estate is undergoing an extensive rewilding program it is only getting more lovely. Today, we’ll hike in the lower reaches of the glen, where we will pass through a beautiful mix of young trees and magnificent old pines. Hiking up the banks of the dynamic River Feshie, we’ll reach a group of lochans hidden amongst the towering trees. Taking a hill path, we’ll reach a stunning viewpoint over the lochans and the mountains beyond. Descending back to the glen, there’ll be a chance to stop in at a local boathouse cafe for some refreshments and a moment to savour the views over the water. (B, L, D)

      Walk details: 12 km/7.5 miles | 240 m/787 ft of ascent | approx. 4-5 hours

      Day 6 – Abernethy Forest and Wildlife Reserve

      The Abernethy Forest is thought by many to be the most beautiful in Scotland, with beautiful lochs surrounded by ancient Scots Pine trees and framed by views of the high mountains. We’ll enjoy a circular walk, perhaps taking in a section of the Speyside Way long distance trail, and in the summer months we’ll finish at a wildlife reserve where we’ll hope to see red squirrels and many bird species including, in the early part of the summer, the osprey. (B, L, D)

      Walk details: 8 km/5 miles | 100 m/320 ft of ascent | approx. 4-5 hours

      Day 7 – Hike in Cairngorms National Park

      There are so many great walks in the Cairngorms that we like to keep the itinerary flexible and decide which hike to take in on the day. One option is a hike close to our accommodation, a favourite of the locals. It ventures into the eastern edge of the Monadh Liath mountains on a circular route to Loch Gynack. It’s a wild and beautiful place, so an apt location to end our trip. After the hike, we complete our circumnavigation of the Cairngorms National Park by transferring back to Aviemore for the trip end. (B, L)

      Walk details: 8 km/5 miles | 200 m/650 ft of ascent | approx. 5 hours

      Download Itinerary

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      Wilderness Walking
      Cairngorms National Park & Royal Deeside

      To download a PDF copy of our Trip Itinerary, containing full details about this holiday, please complete the form below:

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      Trip Dates & Prices

      Trip Dates for 2023AvailabilityStatusPriceBook
      22nd Apr - 28th Apr 2023Trip FullFULLY BOOKED£1,885
      13th May - 19th May 20232 places leftCONFIRMED£1,885Book Now
      10th Jun - 16th Jun 20232 places leftCONFIRMED£1,885Book Now
      8th Jul - 14th Jul 20236 places leftCONFIRMED£1,885Book Now
      29th Jul - 4th Aug 20236 places leftCONFIRMED£1,885Book Now
      26th Aug - 1st Sep 20238 places leftUNCONFIRMED£1,885Book Now
      23rd Sep - 29th Sep 2023Trip FullFULLY BOOKED£1,885

      Trip Details

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      Accommodation Read More

      We spend our nights in welcoming and friendly guest houses: three nights in Royal Deeside then three nights in Strathspey. Accommodation is in twin or double rooms with en-suite bathroom facilities. A warm welcome is assured, and you can choose to spend the evenings in the lounge next to the wood-burning stove or in one of the village’s local pubs.

      Single rooms

      There is no supplement charged to solo travellers, however, you will be required to share a room with another person of the same sex. If you request a double room for single occupancy, a supplement of £360 is charged.

      Due to the nature of the accommodations we use, single supplements are limited and are allocated on a first come first served basis.

      Meals Read More

      This tour is all-inclusive.

      Food is of paramount importance and our meals are prepared from the best local produce. We’ll enjoy wonderful home-cooked meals each evening, with good, healthy portions. Naturally, vegetarians and other dietary requirements are willingly catered for – simply let us know at the time of booking.

      On this trip, we generally eat dinner as a group however if you would like to make alternative arrangements you are free to do so. Your guide will have an evening off during this trip where they do not eat with the group. They will recommend options for dinner that evening and will help you make any necessary reservations. Included dinners are two courses as standard.

      Inclusions Read More
      • 6 nights accommodation in comfortable small hotels
      • All meals during the trip (Meals included indicated as B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
      • The services of an experienced and knowledgeable guide/driver throughout
      • All transport throughout the trip starting and finishing in Aviemore
      • Entrance fees to a Highland castle and wildlife reserve
      Trip Grading Read More

      Green Graded 1-3

      Green graded walking holidays are suitable for active travellers who are reasonably fit and enjoy moderate hikes. We walk at a comfortable pace and you can expect to be out for 5-6 hours a day. The terrain will be mostly good paths and hill trails but these can still be muddy and rough in places. Some hikes may involve an ascent up to a max of approx 1,500 feet / 450m. Distances will be typically 8-10km but there may be the odd slightly longer day. Daily hike details are available in the itinerary.

      Travel – Arrival and Departure Read More

      You will be met by your Wilderness Scotland Guide at Aviemore Railway Station at 10.00am on Day 1 of your trip. You will be returned to Aviemore station for 4.00pm on the final day.

      If you would like to use your own vehicle on the trip please get in touch with our team to discuss.

      Photo Gallery

      Make This Trip Private

      Fancy this trip just for your group? Get together with family and friends spend quality time exploring wild places. A private trip allows you to benefit from all the features of the group departure, including hand-picked accommodation and expert local guides but with the advantage of the flexibility to tailor the days to your group. Make the trip more or less challenging depending on your experience or choose to add in some optional extras like castle or distillery visits depending on your interests. The price of a private trip will depend on the number of travellers in your group. Let us know your prefered departure date and we'll take care of the rest.

      Speak to an Expert

      View Profile
      Bridget Brown

      Our friendly office team hail from across the world but share a passion for the outdoor and wild spaces of Scotland. We are committed to providing you with the best customer service and are more than happy to chat through options and provide help and advice. Get in touch to find your perfect adventure.

      Ask Bridget a Question

      Meet Your Guide

      Dave Greer
      22nd Apr - 28th Apr 2023

      Mungo Ross
      13th May - 19th May 2023

      Tim Willis
      10th Jun - 16th Jun 2023

      View guides for all departures

      Difficulty Grades Explained

      Green Graded Walking Holidays

      Green graded walking holidays are suitable for active travellers who are reasonably fit and enjoy moderate hikes. We walk at a comfortable pace and you can expect to be out for 5-6 hours a day. The terrain will be mostly good paths and hill trails but these can still be muddy and rough in places. Some hikes may involve an ascent up to a max of approx 1,500 feet / 450m. Distances will be typically 8-10km but there may be the odd slightly longer day. Daily hike details are available in the itinerary.

      Compare walking grades

      Trip Reviews

      Rated 4.96 out of 5 based on 112 reviews of Wilderness Walking – Cairngorms National Park & Royal Deeside

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      Every client receives a feedback survey when they return from their guided, self guided or tailor made holiday with us. Once completed the review is published on our website just as soon as our database updates. The little touches and details are important to us and where issues are raised we make positive changes to our trips to improve your experience.

      That’s why we read each of our client’s reviews and although we don’t respond to all of them, if it’s glowing feedback then we get the satisfaction of helping to make your holidays truly memorable.

      KO

      Kathleen O'Connell

      Reviewed on 23/10/2022

      Age: 60 - 70
      Country: United States
      Trip Date: 08/10/2022
      Trips Taken: 1

      The Bottom Line

      The Bottom Line

      I had a wonderful time on this trip and would definitely go on another Wilderness Scotland trip in the future!

      Show More
      MG

      Marcia Greig

      Reviewed on 21/10/2022

      Age: 70 - 80
      Country: United States of America
      Trip Date: 08/10/2022
      Trips Taken: 1

      The Bottom Line

      The Bottom Line

      Great Wilderness Scotland level 3 hike in the highlands. I would recommend W.S to anyone who loves the outdoors and is active.

      Show More
      ES

      Ellen Spear

      Reviewed on 17/10/2022

      Age: 60 - 70
      Country: United States
      Trip Date: 08/10/2022
      Trips Taken: 1

      The Bottom Line

      The Bottom Line

      Very good. Only criticism is that I would have liked a bit more challenge in the hikes. I understand that the guide needs to find the happy medium. Our 10 plus mile day is one I would have liked to experience for a couple more days. Excellent balance of natural world and cultural experiences, great accommodations and meals.

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