How far is the walk into Ryvoan Bothy?

It is 3km from Glenmore Lodge car park — about 0.8 hours at a steady walking pace. Follow the forest track from Glenmore past An Lochan Uaine (the Green Lochan) to the bothy.

Can you have a fire in Ryvoan Bothy?

Ryvoan Bothy has a stove. Bring fuel with you — usable wood near most Scottish bothies is scarce, and bothy furniture and boundary posts are not fuel.

How many sleeping spaces does Ryvoan Bothy have?

6 sleeping spaces — but bothies operate first-come-first-served and you may share with strangers. On busy weekends parties often pitch a tent outside if the bothy is full.

Is there a water source near Ryvoan Bothy?

Burns near the bothy; treat before drinking.

When's the best time to visit Ryvoan Bothy?

March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November are the months to aim for. Owned by Abernethy Estate (an RSPB reserve): restrictions may apply at nesting time.

Photo: Aleks Scholz / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Geograph

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Bothy

Ryvoan Bothy

A short, easy walk from Glenmore through Caledonian pine forest past An Lochan Uaine — the classic first bothy, accessible enough for beginners but atmospheric enough to hook you. The MBA reopened it on 2 October 2026 after the summer wildfire in Strath Nethy; the track north towards Forest Lodge is still closed.

Status update

Reopened on Friday 2 October 2026 after the summer wildfire in Strath Nethy. The track north from the bothy towards Forest Lodge remains closed while it is widened. There may be no fuel for the stove, and collecting deadwood is not permitted — carry fuel in.

Checked 27 October 2026 · source

Quick facts

Walk-in: 3 km· 0.8 hrs
Sleeps: 6
Altitude: 380m
Condition: Good condition
Grid ref: NJ006115
Maintained by: Mountain Bothies Association
Fire / stove: Stove
Water: Burns near the bothy; treat before drinking.
Mobile signal: Good EE/Vodafone signal at the bothy and throughout the approach from Glenmore.
Dogs: Dogs welcome off-lead

Our take

Ryvoan is where you take someone to show them what bothies are about — forty-five minutes of forest walking past a lochan the colour of a gemstone, then a stone hut with a stove. It reopened in October 2026 after the summer fire; take your own fuel, because there may be none.

Getting there

Follow the forest track from Glenmore past An Lochan Uaine (the Green Lochan) to the bothy. Easy walking on good tracks. The track continuing north from the bothy towards Forest Lodge remains closed after the 2026 wildfire — return the way you came.

Nearest parking: Glenmore Lodge car park

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Stalking season / estate access

Owned by Abernethy Estate (an RSPB reserve): restrictions may apply at nesting time.

What to expect inside

A small single-room bothy with a multi-fuel stove and a wooden sleeping platform. The MBA lists no local fuel, so bring your own: do not collect deadwood and never cut live wood — this is native woodland regeneration. Campfires and barbecues are banned in the National Park from 1 April to 30 September.

Nearby hills

When to visit

Accessible year-round thanks to the short, low-level approach; popular with families in summer and sheltered by the forest. It is on the Abernethy RSPB reserve, where restrictions may apply at nesting time.

Wildfire risk — May to October

Dry conditions increase wildfire risk during summer. Never light fires in the open. Use the bothy fireplace only, and ensure it is fully out before you leave.

Current conditions

Condition unverified

We have not received a recent visitor report for this bothy. Check the MBA bothy register for current status before relying on this bothy as shelter.

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Daylight Today

10h 45mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 07:16
Sunset: 16:41
Civil dawn: 06:36
Civil dusk: 17:21

NOAA Solar Calculator · 28 October 2026

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Stock up at Aviemore

Nearest TripSCOT town for food, fuel, and accommodation if the bothy is busy.

On TripSCOT

town

Aviemore

Cairngorms base — Strathspey valley, ski centre, train

11km from the bothy

tripscot.co.uk

Ryvoan Bothy — common questions

Is Ryvoan Bothy open?: Reopened on Friday 2 October 2026 after the summer wildfire in Strath Nethy. The track north from the bothy towards Forest Lodge remains closed while it is widened. There may be no fuel for the stove, and collecting deadwood is not permitted — carry fuel in.
How far is the walk into Ryvoan Bothy?: It is 3km from Glenmore Lodge car park — about 0.8 hours at a steady walking pace. Follow the forest track from Glenmore past An Lochan Uaine (the Green Lochan) to the bothy.
Can you have a fire in Ryvoan Bothy?: Ryvoan Bothy has a stove. Bring fuel with you — usable wood near most Scottish bothies is scarce, and bothy furniture and boundary posts are not fuel.
How many sleeping spaces does Ryvoan Bothy have?: 6 sleeping spaces — but bothies operate first-come-first-served and you may share with strangers. On busy weekends parties often pitch a tent outside if the bothy is full.
Is there a water source near Ryvoan Bothy?: Burns near the bothy; treat before drinking.
When's the best time to visit Ryvoan Bothy?: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November are the months to aim for. Owned by Abernethy Estate (an RSPB reserve): restrictions may apply at nesting time.

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