- Aviemore is on the main railway line and the Caledonian Sleeper stops there
- It is the UK's largest national park, home to red squirrels, ospreys and Britain's only reindeer herd
- Mountain weather is severe, even in summer, so go prepared
- Royal Deeside and Balmoral are on the eastern side
- Airports
- Inverness (INV), Aberdeen (ABZ), Edinburgh (EDI)
- Best time to go
- May-September for walking and wildlife; January-March for snow
- Type
- National park
The Cairngorms is the UK's largest national park, covering a huge area of mountains, moorland, forests and lochs in the eastern Highlands. Its high plateau has an almost Arctic climate, while lower down are remnants of the ancient Caledonian pine forest, home to red squirrels, pine martens, capercaillie and ospreys. It is a year-round playground for walkers, cyclists, wildlife watchers and, when the snow comes, skiers.
The park also takes in Royal Deeside, the Speyside whisky country on its edge and plenty of small towns with good places to stay. For the rest of the country, see our Scotland guide.
Where to stay
- Aviemore – the main hub, with a railway station, the most hotels, lodges and restaurants, and Loch Morlich and CairnGorm Mountain nearby.
- Kingussie and Newtonmore – quieter villages on the railway line, near the Highland Folk Museum.
- Grantown-on-Spey – an elegant Georgian town, handy for Speyside distilleries.
- Braemar – a mountain village on the Royal Deeside side, famous for its Highland Gathering in September.
- Ballater – a pretty Deeside village close to Balmoral and Lochnagar.
Things to do
- CairnGorm Mountain – take the funicular up the mountain for views, or ski and snowboard in winter.
- The Cairngorm Reindeer Herd – visit Britain's only free-ranging reindeer on a guided hill trip from Glenmore.
- Loch Morlich – a sandy loch beach with water sports, below the mountains.
- Highland Wildlife Park – see snow leopards, polar bears and Scottish wildcats near Kincraig.
- Rothiemurchus and Loch an Eilein – easy forest walks round a loch with a ruined island castle.
- The Strathspey Railway – a heritage steam train between Aviemore and Broomhill.
- Balmoral Castle – the royal family's Scottish home, with grounds open to visitors at certain times of year.
- Speyside whisky – distilleries such as Glenlivet and Glenfiddich are a short drive from the park.
Best time to visit
May to September brings the best walking weather and long days, with ospreys nesting from spring. September and October have autumn colour and the red deer rut. Snow usually falls on the higher slopes between December and April, with skiing when conditions allow. Mountain weather can be extreme in any season, with strong winds and snow possible even in early summer on the high tops.
Getting there
The Caledonian Sleeper from London Euston stops at Aviemore, Kingussie and Newtonmore. ScotRail trains on the Highland Main Line run from Edinburgh and Glasgow to Aviemore in about two and a half to three hours, and LNER's Highland Chieftain stops there too. Inverness Airport is about 45 minutes' drive from Aviemore; for Royal Deeside, Aberdeen Airport is closer. Driving from London takes around nine hours.
Getting around
Aviemore, Kingussie and Newtonmore are on the railway, and local buses run from Aviemore to Glenmore and CairnGorm Mountain. A car is needed for Deeside, Speyside and remote glens. Cycling is excellent, with many forest tracks around Aviemore and the Speyside Way long-distance path. For Inverness and Loch Ness, allow about 45 minutes by car or train. On the Deeside side, Aberdeen is about an hour from Ballater.
Before heading into the high mountains, check the Mountain Weather Information Service forecast and carry a map, compass and warm layers, even in summer.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aviemore a good base for the Cairngorms?
Yes. It has the most accommodation, a railway station and quick access to Glenmore, Loch Morlich and CairnGorm Mountain.
Can you ski in the Cairngorms?
Yes, at CairnGorm Mountain, and at the Lecht and Glenshee on the edges of the park, though snow cover varies a lot from year to year.
Can you see red squirrels in the Cairngorms?
Often. They are common in the pine forests around Aviemore and Rothiemurchus, and some wildlife hides have feeding stations.
Written by
Emma City breaks & deals editor
Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.
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