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The Cairngorms National Park

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The Cairngorms is simply inspiring!

It has something for everyone, from exploring nature and wildlife in the mountains, to adventures in ancient woodlands or taking a dip in one of our freshwater Lochs.  

The Cairngorms National Park has spectacular landscapes from wild, high mountains, to heather moorlands, magnificent forests, lowland farms and crofts, wetlands and rivers which wind through the flood plains – as the biggest and most northerly National Park in Britain, it is simply awe-inspiring.

Key activities

Activity

Walking , Activity

Set in spectacular scenery there are short low-level walks, longer hikes through woodlands and mountains,  multi-day long distance walks and mountain top routes to choose from, where ever you are in the Park.

Activity

Wildlife watching , Activity

Come to the Cairngorms to see Scotland’s rare and iconic wildlife for yourself.  Keep your eyes peeled for darting red squirrels and soaring ospreys, go out with a guide or watch from a hide – the choice is yours!

Activity

Outdoor Activities , Activity

The Park offers something for everyone – water sports, snow sports, incredible walking and cycling routes, plus 12 golf courses. It even has the first permanent bridge-based bungee jump in the UK.

Special qualities

Special qualities

10 reasons why the Cairngorms is a special place

Adventure – Cycling and biking is one of the many ways to explore and discover the sights, nature and wildlife in the Park. All types of cycling are catered for from family-friendly routes, stunning rides on quiet roads to some of the best mountain bike trails in Scotland for all ages and abilities.


Castles & Gatherings – Explore the past by visiting our castles and historical sites, immerse yourself in the culture of the Cairngorms through our local music, ceilidhs and highland games.


Dark Skies – The Tomintoul and Glenlivet area is one of the best places to see a night sky brimming with stars. Some brilliant vantage points and vast horizons have seen the area awarded the prestigious status of International Dark Sky Park and is the most Northerly Dark Sky Park in the world and among the darkest skies in the UK!


Family Fun – The Cairngorms National Park is a world-renowned area where both residents and visitors, especially families, can enjoy an unparalleled range of outdoor recreation opportunities with something for everyone no matter what age, ability or interest.


Food & Drink – Few regions in Scotland encapsulate the traditional and world-famous cuisine of the country as well as the Cairngorms – venison from deer that range across the hills, beef from Highland cattle and hardy rare breeds, salmon and trout from pristine rivers and lochs and whisky from age-old distilleries.


Hospitality – Providing a warm welcome and exceptional experiences to people from near and far is part of our culture in the Cairngorms National Park.  Voted one of the top destinations in the world, visitors ‘love this place’.


Landscapes – The Cairngorms National Park is hugely diverse; it is a living, working landscape from the wild high mountains, to the heather moorlands and peatlands, to the magnificent forests, the farms and crofts, and the wetlands and rivers which wind through the flood plains.


Scenic Routes – Whether travelling by bike, car or on foot, there are plenty of places to stop and take in the natural beauty of the landscape.


Stories & Culture – Separated by the great bulk of the mountains, different areas of the Park have their own distinct identity and cultural traditions, but they share deep connections to the same environments. Explore Scotland’s Gaelic language through our place names and unique stories that they tell of the Park.


Wildlife – The wildlife in the National Park is outstanding. It is a stronghold for many rare and endangered species, living in some of our most natural landscapes.


Did you know?

The Cairngorms are the largest, most northerly National Park in the UK and has the highest range of mountains - sitting high above sea level you would be forgiven for thinking you were in the Arctic on some of the highest plateaux in the world. It is home to some of the most iconic wildlife species, some living high up on the mountain tops of the Park.

Wild and Wonderful

The Cairngorms is celebrated as a place of wildness. The feeling of being surrounded by wildlife and natural habitats helps us reconnect with nature, and refreshes the mind and body.  It is hard to describe the outstanding nature and landscapes of the Cairngorms National Park, its importance for the people who live and work here, the people who visit and enjoy the area and the significance of the wildlife and habitats supported by this special place.  This is a place hugely valued by many people as well as wildlife. The Cairngorms is home to a quarter of the UK’s rare and endangered species. It contains Scotland’s largest, most natural habitats and is where the country’s most ambitious, landscape-scale conservation action is taking place.  It is home to 18,500 residents and welcomes over 2 million visitors each year.

Plan your visit

Whether you are looking for adventure, fun for the whole family or a break from the everyday – the Cairngorms National Park has a lot to offer so let us help you plan your visit. Situated in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, the National Park is easy to reach by road, rail, plane or bike. We have direct train links to Inverness, Glasgow, Edinburgh and London.

Travelling on a budget

There are many things to see and do in the Park that won’t break the bank and some that are completely free.

A park for all

If you or a family member have accessibility requirements, there are plenty of easy-access paths to enjoy, accessible activities and attractions to visit as well as accessible facilities and services available to you. For more information visit Access for All in the Cairngorms National Park. We look forward to welcoming you to our special place!

A week on from National Parks UK’s Big Volunteer Weekend, we’re still celebrating the people who make a difference across our National Parks.

Last weekend, hundreds of people came together across all 15 National Parks to give their time, share their skills and support our landscapes.

But volunteering in our National Parks doesn’t happen just one weekend a year. All year round, volunteers play an incredible variety of roles – from leading guided walks and supporting education, to conservation, planting and caring for our landscapes.

Every volunteer makes a valuable contribution to protecting our natural and cultural heritage. We simply couldn’t do what we do without you. 💚

So, to all our volunteers: thank you for your time, energy, enthusiasm and everything you bring to our National Parks.
If you know someone who volunteers in a National Park, help us spread the thanks by sharing this post. 🌿

#Volunteers #NationalParks #NationalParksUK
It’s the Autumn Equinox 🍂

Our National Parks are always changing in time with the rhythm of nature, but this becomes particularly noticeable when autumn arrives.

Deer begin to rut, spiders’ cobwebs glisten in the fresh light, fungi become more prominent, and leaves begin to change colour.

What changes have you noticed so far? 🧡

#Autumn #AutumnEquinox #NationalParks
Autumn brings some unusual visitors to the @newforestnpa 🐷🍂

As the leaves turn and acorns begin to carpet the Forest floor, you might spot a few more snouts among the trees.

Each autumn, New Forest Commoners exercise an ancient right known as pannage – turning their pigs out to forage for fallen acorns, beech mast and other natural foods that might be harmful to other grazing animals.

It’s a tradition that has been part of life in the New Forest for many years. Just like many of our Parks, it shows how these landscapes are shaped by history and the unique ways of working that protect the environment. 

📸This beautiful photograph was captured by @hang_ross76. 

#NewForestPigs #Autumn #NewForest
🍂 Autumn is creeping in, and the nights are slowly drawing in around us. But darkness isn’t just something we notice. For countless bugs, it’s essential.

Two-thirds of invertebrates are partially or wholly nocturnal, relying on the natural rhythm of night and day to feed, move, reproduce and survive. Yet increasing light pollution is disrupting this vital nighttime world. 🐜

September is an active time for bugs - spiders seek shelter, wasp colonies reach their peak size, and many are migrating or laying overwintering eggs. 

Our National Parks are home to some of the UK’s darkest skies and important habitats where we can protect the darkness that bugs depend on. 

Together, we can help even the smallest of species to thrive.

Clips via @buglife_ict 
1 & 2: Moth © Patrick Chadwick
3: Running Crab Spider © Patrick Chadwick
4: Millipede © Patrick Chadwick
5: Common glow-worm (Lampyris noctiluca) © Kristian Pikner
6 & 7: Ringlet butterfly roosting © Patrick Chadwick
8: Wasp © Patrick Chadwick

#BugLife #DarkSkies #NationalParks