Can I use the Cairngorm funicular to get onto the mountain?

Not in summer. Summer passengers ride to the Ptarmigan top station but are not allowed out of the building onto the mountain — if you want to climb Cairn Gorm, walk from the base station car park. The funicular is also closed for maintenance from 2 to 9 November 2026, reopening on 10 November.

Do I have the right to cycle on the Rothiemurchus estate?

Yes. Scottish access rights cover responsible cycling on the estate tracks — it is not a matter of the estate's permission. Follow estate signs and advice, and give way to walkers.

Can I ride on to Nethy Bridge via Ryvoan?

Not in autumn 2026. The track north from Ryvoan Bothy towards Forest Lodge is closed after the summer wildfire in Strath Nethy. Turn back at Ryvoan.

Is the area good for children?

The estate has waymarked routes from Inverdruie that suit families. Choose your line with the climbing in mind before taking young children further.

Gravel Cycling

Rothiemurchus & Glenmore Forest Circuit

Caledonian pinewood tracks around Loch an Eilein and Loch Morlich

Quick facts

Distance: Not published
Ascent: Not published
Difficulty: Moderate
Route type: Loop
Archetype: Forest Circuit
Region: Cairngorms
Start point: Aviemore
Grid ref: NH 895 127
Parking: PH22 1RH
Midges: Moderate
Dogs: On lead only

Best months

Surface breakdown

Forest track60%
Railway path20%
Tarmac single-track20%

Recommended bikes: Gravel bike (ideal), Hardtail MTB, E-bike· Tyres: 35–42mm gravel

About this route

Rothiemurchus and Glenmore hold some of the finest remaining Caledonian pinewood in Scotland: old Scots pine over juniper, heather and blaeberry, with red squirrels in the woods. A gravel ride from Aviemore links the Rothiemurchus tracks to Loch an Eilein, with its ruined castle on an island, and the Glenmore forest around Loch Morlich, where the forest track continues past An Lochan Uaine towards Ryvoan.

This page has not been traced, so it publishes no loop, distance or ascent. Plan your line on OS Explorer OL57 using the estate's waymarked routes from Inverdruie and the Forestry and Land Scotland tracks in Glenmore. In autumn 2026 the track north of Ryvoan Bothy towards Forest Lodge is closed after the Strath Nethy wildfire, so turn back at Ryvoan rather than planning through.

Highlights

Loch an Eilein — the ruined island castle in the loch
Loch Morlich, below the northern corries of Cairn Gorm
An Lochan Uaine (the Green Lochan) on the track to Ryvoan
Old Caledonian pinewood throughout

Key waypoints

1. Aviemore
2. Inverdruie
3. Loch an Eilein
4. Loch Morlich
5. Glenmore
6. An Lochan Uaine

Route notes

Not a traced route — plan your own line. Scottish access rights cover responsible cycling on the Rothiemurchus and Glenmore tracks; follow estate and FLS signs, use the waymarked routes where they suit, and slow right down for walkers on busy paths such as Loch an Eilein. Car parks in the area may charge. Keep dogs on a lead: this is ground-nesting bird habitat.

Seasonal conditions

Autumn colour is the highlight; midges are present in still weather in summer, though the forest gives some shelter. Winter riding is possible on the main tracks but they can be icy.

Key hazards

Ground-nesting birds in spring and early summer — stay on established tracks and keep dogs on a lead
Busy shared paths on summer weekends, especially around Loch an Eilein
Ryvoan–Forest Lodge track closed in autumn 2026 after the Strath Nethy wildfire

Water sources on route

Aviemore and Glenmore — carry water; treat any burn water

Always filter or treat water from natural sources. Carry at least 1L reserve on remote sections.

OS map sheets

OS OL57

Nearest hill

Cairn Gorm

1244.8m · cairngorms

View hill

Nearest bothy

Ryvoan Bothy

3km walk-in · cairngorms

View bothy

Daylight Today

10h 33mwalking daylight

Sunrise: 07:23
Sunset: 16:34
Civil dawn: 06:42
Civil dusk: 17:15

NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 October 2026

Common questions

Can I use the Cairngorm funicular to get onto the mountain?: Not in summer. Summer passengers ride to the Ptarmigan top station but are not allowed out of the building onto the mountain — if you want to climb Cairn Gorm, walk from the base station car park. The funicular is also closed for maintenance from 2 to 9 November 2026, reopening on 10 November.
Do I have the right to cycle on the Rothiemurchus estate?: Yes. Scottish access rights cover responsible cycling on the estate tracks — it is not a matter of the estate's permission. Follow estate signs and advice, and give way to walkers.
Can I ride on to Nethy Bridge via Ryvoan?: Not in autumn 2026. The track north from Ryvoan Bothy towards Forest Lodge is closed after the summer wildfire in Strath Nethy. Turn back at Ryvoan.
Is the area good for children?: The estate has waymarked routes from Inverdruie that suit families. Choose your line with the climbing in mind before taking young children further.