Trip Overview

Venture into Scotland’s grandest mountain range – the mighty Cairngorms.

On this all-inclusive hiking tour, we’ll hike among the majestic scenery of hills, forests, and lochs while enjoying outstanding hospitality.

High-level trailheads and a network of good paths mean that accessing the high summits of Cairngorms National Park is more achievable than they may first appear. Based at a private wilderness lodge in beautiful Glen Feshie, we’ll explore the northern and western sides of this huge national park. We’ll focus on hiking to some of the finest peaks in the area and enjoy wild mountain views everywhere we go.

With summits rising to 1,220 m/4,000 ft in height, the Cairngorm peaks are vast rolling hills connected by a dramatic plateau. This high-level tundra is broken by steep-sided glens and corries, where the hills fall away to beautiful pinewoods, still lochs, and grassy fields. The Cairngorms National Park is a haven for rare and iconic species such as ptarmigan, capercaillie, red squirrels, and osprey.

Day 1 – A Small Starter Summit Read Less: Day 1
A Small Starter Summit
We will meet at Aviemore Railway Station at 10.30 am and then transfer a short distance to enjoy a hike up a little mountain with big views. A short climb through pinewoods, steep in places, takes you to the summit at 487 m/1,598 ft. There are prominent views of Strathspey, and you can look across the valley at some of the other peaks we will take on during the week. Descending to pretty Loch Gynack will feel like we’re still in the wilderness – but we’re almost back in the village. A short transfer takes you to a private wilderness lodge tucked away in an idyllic spot on the banks of the River Feshie.
Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner
Walk Details: 7 km / 4 miles | 275 m / 902 ft | Approx: 3.5 hrs

Day 2 – Classic Cairngorms Hike Read Less: Day 2
Classic Cairngorms Hike
Today, we will do a classic Scottish hill walk – the Northern Corries of the Cairngorms, including Cairngorm itself. Starting at 600 m/1,970 ft, we hike straight into a wild mountain environment. Pass under the cliffs of the Northern Corries, keeping a lookout for Scotland’s only herd of reindeer, which often graze here. A steady climb brings us to the main plateau amidst ever-greater views. We can pick the best route from here, following our guide and the tops of the corrie, maybe detouring to enjoy an elevated view of remote Loch Avon. A final climb takes us onto the summit of Cairngorm Mountain, the sixth highest peak in the UK.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Walk Details: 11 km / 7 miles | 775 m / 2,543 ft | Approx: 7 hrs

Day 3 – Creag Dhubh Read Less: Day 3
Creag Dhubh
The peak of Creag Dhubh, meaning Black Rock, is a more modest mountain than its neighbours, but it’s a wild and wonderful place. Heading upwards through ancient forest, the path is steep but rewards await as we emerge from the trees to superb views across the Cairngorms. We first reach Clach Mhic Calein – better known as The Argyll Stone – before ascending to the summit of Creag Dhubh itself. From the top, admire the superb views down Glen Einich and across to the peak of Sgoran Dubh Mor and beyond. One of several granite tors on the Cairngorm plateau is just below the summit.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Walk Details: 18 km / 11 miles | 650 m / 2,133 ft | Approx: 7 hrs

Day 4 – Western Summits Read Less: Day 4
Western Summits
Today, we will head slightly further south, but keep within the boundaries of Cairngorms National Park. We’ll take on two summits offering far-reaching views. Despite starting next to a busy road, this is soon forgotten as we follow a trail alongside a bubbling burn, gradually gaining height as we go. A steep pull takes us onto the plateau, and then we enjoy a high-level hike, connecting the two peaks and taking in expansive vistas across Loch Ericht and Ben Alder, all the way west to Ben Nevis.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Walk Details: 16 km / 10 miles | 900 m / 2,953 ft | Approx: 8 hrs

Day 5 – Hill of the Shepherd Read Less: Day 5
Hill of the Shepherd
At the northern reach of the Cairngorms are several peaks overlooking the wild Abernethy Forest. We will summit one of these hills today – Meall a Buachaille (Hill of the Shepherd). We start our walk by passing through a steep-sided pass and the beautiful ‘Fairy Lochan’. Beyond the pass, turn left at an old bothy, and we start a steady ascent up a good trail leading directly to the summit. On the way down, enjoy the fabulous views of bigger hills to the south and Loch Morlich.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Walk Details: 9 km / 6 miles | 550 m / 1,804 ft | Approx: 5 hrs

Day 6 – Wild Cairngorms Peak Read Less: Day 6
Wild Cairngorms Peak
Today, we set out to climb the peak of Sgor Gaoith, which is prominent from the lodge. A good trail takes you through wonderful pinewoods before climbing onto the plateau. On reaching the pointed summit, the land falls away suddenly, and we will find ourselves gazing down at remote Loch Einich and across it to the wild corries of Braeriach, the third-highest peak in Britain. This is a prized summit and one we’ll remember for many years.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Walk Details: 14 km / 9 miles | 915 m / 3,002 ft | Approx: 7 hrs

Day 7 – Above the Forest Read Less: Day 7
Above the Forest
We’ll enjoy an easy and reflective final day hike. A stone’s throw from the lodge is the Uath Lochans, favoured by bird watchers and in-the-know locals. We’ll hike around the lochs and up to the little summit of Farleitter Crag, which offers expansive views across the pinewoods to the main Cairngorm plateau. Afterwards, a short transfer takes us back to Aviemore in time to connect with trains heading north to Inverness or south to Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Walk Details: 4 km / 2 miles | 165 m / 541 ft | Approx: 2 hrs

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Wilderness Walking

High Points of the Cairngorms National Park

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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 preferred departure date and we'll take care of the rest.

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Wilderness Walking

High Points of the Cairngorms National Park

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Trip Details

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Accommodation Read More

This walking holiday enjoys accommodation in a private mountain lodge set in the beautiful surroundings of Glen Feshie. The area around the lodge has abundant wildlife to spot and the grass outside is grazed by Highland cattle.

Accommodation is a choice of double or twin rooms with ensuite facilities.

Meals Read More

All meals, from lunch on Day 1 through to lunch on Day 7 are included.

Breakfast and evening meals will be fully catered at the lodge and packed lunches will be provided each day. Included dinners are two courses as standard.

The lodge has an honesty fridge (cash only) which stocks local beers, gin, water, kombucha, diet coke, cheese, crackers, venison salami and chorizo, oat bars and crisps. There will also be an opportunity to stop at a local shop on the first day to purchase any other alcoholic drinks you would like during your stay.

Inclusions Read More

Six nights accommodation in a private wilderness lodge.
All meals, from lunch on Day 1 through to lunch on Day 7.
The services of an experienced and knowledgeable guide / driver throughout.
All transport throughout the trip starting and finishing in Aviemore.

Grading Read More: Blue Graded 4-6
Blue graded walking holidays are suitable for fit and experienced hikers. We walk at a good pace and you can expect to be out for 6-8 hours a day. You will not always be on a path and the terrain underfoot can be rough and boggy, including boulder fields and mountain tops. Some of the daily walks will involve a mountain ascent of over 3000ft / 900m high. Daily distances will be typically up to 16km but may be longer occasionally. 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 10.30am on Day 1 of your trip. We aim to be back at the station by 1.30pm on the final day. It’s a small station so you should find the group and guide quite easily.

Trip Reviews

Rated 4.95 out of 5 based on 57 review(s) of Wilderness Walking – High Points of the Cairngorms National Park

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.

William Polking

Reviewed on 05/08/2024

Age: 50 - 60
Country: United States
Trip Date: 20/07/2024
Trips Taken: 4

The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

Exactly the challenge I was hoping for.

Steve Watson

Reviewed on 29/07/2024

Age: 60 - 70
Country: United Kingdom
Trip Date: 20/07/2024
Trips Taken: 2

The Bottom Line

Eileen Drummond

Reviewed on 18/05/2024

Age: 70 - 80
Country: United States
Trip Date: 27/04/2024
Trips Taken: 2

The Bottom Line

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Wilderness Scotland

High Points of the Cairngorms National Park

Trip Overview

Day by DayItinerary

Day 1

A Small Starter Summit

Day 2

Classic Cairngorms Hike

Day 3

Creag Dhubh

Day 4

Western Summits

Day 5

Hill of the Shepherd

Day 6

Wild Cairngorms Peak

Day 7

Above the Forest

Book Now

Make This Trip Private

Trip Details

Blue Graded 4-6

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Chris Page

Difficulty Grades Explained

Blue Graded 4-6

Trip Reviews

Accommodation & Food

Your Guide

The Bottom Line

Pre-Trip Service

Trip Comments

Accommodation & Food

Your Guide

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