Walkhighlands co-founder Helen Webster recommends five of the Cairngorms' best walks

Looking back down over the Derry. © Helen and Paul Webster

I’m lucky enough to call the Cairngorms National Park my backyard. Situated on the eastern side of Scotland, it is often blessed with drier, sunnier weather than the west coast and offers a fantastic range of scenery and habitats. The area is also vast, so to make choosing your next adventure easier. Here are my personal suggestions:

Best mountain walk – Derry Cairngorm from the Linn of Dee

This long but satisfying hillwalk gives a real flavour of all the defining characteristics of the Cairngorms. The walking is rough with some boulderfields to cross and burns to ford; it’s a challenging day out in truly remote country. 

Lochan in the Clais Fhearnaig. © Helen and Paul Webster

Best quiet walk – Clais Fhearnaig Circuit

Although not far from the pretty village of Braemar and the popular Linn of Dee, most walkers are seeking out the higher Munros or shorter strolls, leaving this excellent and varied route much less visited. The route heads up Glen Quoich, passing the huge 'Punch Bowl' carved in the bedrock over centuries by the force of the water. Pass through magnificent and ancient Caledonian pinewoods before climbing into an almost-hidden pass with a beautiful lochan enclosed by the steep slopes. This leads down into Glen Lui with expansive mountain and glen views for the return via Mar Lodge, an imposing Scottish Baronial stately home.

The River Spey at Grantown-on-Spey. © Helen and Paul Webster

Best river walk – Anagach Woods and River Spey

This walk explores the amazing pine woods that surround Grantown-on-Spey, before strolling alongside the mighty River Spey itself. Popular with fly fishers who compete with summer-visiting osprey hoping to catch a salmon, the Spey also supplies the numerous Speyside whisky distilleries along its banks. Keep your eye out for heron, goldeneye duck, otters and kingfishers, while the woods are home to the elusive capercaillie.

The Chalamain Gap. © Helen and Paul Webster

Best circular walk – Chalamain Gap Circuit

Starting from just below the tree line of Glenmore Forest, this walk immediately immerses you in wild nature. Expect vast mountain views, tumbling clear waters, and a dramatic rocky pass. Although close to Aviemore, this route has a very remote feel and gets you away from any crowds while providing a taster of the best landscape the Cairngorms has to offer.

Reflections at Utah Lochans. © Helen and Paul Webster

Best forest walk – Feshiebridge and the Uath Lochans

This circuit starts from near picturesque Feshiebridge, where the River Feshie squeezes through a rocky gorge. From this beauty spot, tracks and paths follow a stunning stretch of riverside upstream through scattered trees before heading deep into the forest. The highlight of this walk is reaching the hidden Uath Lochans, deep pools reflecting the surrounding trees. From here the path climbs to reveal a breathtaking viewpoint looking out over the water and forest to the steep mountain slopes of the Cairngorms beyond – a view that never fails to impress.

Details of these walks and more can be found in Day Walks in the Cairngorms by Helen & Paul Webster.