7 pushchair-friendly walks in the Cairngorms
With several small children, it can be hard to find walks that are suitable for all the family. Here are seven of our favourite pushchair-friendly walks in the Cairngorms. They are also suitable for kids on bikes and balance bikes! Here are mountain views, beautiful lochs, and ancient forests for all the family to enjoy.
We have a full walk guide for each walk, so do click through to read those if you would like further details. These walks are all in the north Cairngorms near Aviemore, as we know this area best.
1. Loch an Eilein
Distance: 3.3 miles / 5.3km
Loch an Eilein is a beautiful freshwater loch in the heart of Rothiemurchus Forest in the Cairngorms National Park. Loch an Eilein means ‘loch of the island’, and there is a small island near the western shore with a ruined castle on it. There are well maintained hard-packed paths all the way around the loch, so that you can enjoy the whole loop with a buggy or with children on bikes.
2. Lochan Uaine – The Green Lochan
Distance: 3.8 miles / 6km
This walk follows the Ryvoan Trail from the edge of Loch Morlich to the Green Lochan, nestled under Meall a’ Bhuachaille. The deep turquoise colour of the lochan is probably due to a combination of algae in the water, and the reflected light from the trees all around. It is certainly a very special place.
The lower Ryvoan Trail to the lochan is a wide and level path, suitable for all-terrain prams, balance bikes and standard bikes. The upper route is more rugged and is only suitable for walkers.
3. Loch Morlich Circuit
Distance: 3.5 miles / 5.8km
Loch Morlich is one of the most famous and beautiful lochs in the area, surrounded by forests and mountains. You can circumnavigate the loch on foot or by bike, and the route is suitable for off-road pushchairs. The beach area at one end is lovely, and a good incentive to help children to get round the loop! Much of the circuit does run through forest, and so there are only certain spots where you can get views of the loch.
4. Uath Lochans
Distance: 1.75 miles / 2.75km
Uath Lochans are a group of four small loch in Inshriach Forest near Kincraig. On a map they look like an animal’s paw, with three small blobs grouped around a larger one! The walk is overlooked by Farleitter Crag, which is another lovely family walk, though not suitable for pushchairs due to some steep slopes.
The trail around Uath Lochans is a lovely one for small children, with boardwalks and lots of nature to spot, including frogs. This short route is almost entirely pushchair-friendly, with one slightly difficult spot with bumpy tree roots in a sloping path. See our walk guide for more details.
5. Loch Mallachie and the RSPB Osprey Centre
Distance: 1.7 miles / 2.75km (can be extended)
The Two Lochs Trail is a lovely wee walk taking in Loch Mallachie and Loch Garten. It can be extended by half a mile to visit the RSPB’s Osprey Centre by Loch Garten, which is very interesting, and has lots for children to see and do. The path on the Two Lochs Trail is mostly of a very high quality, but there is a short section along the shore of Loch Mallachie that is very bumpy with tree roots. More details in our walk guide.
6. Speyside Way with a steam train ride
Distance: 6.25 miles / 9.5km
This is on the longer end of our buggy-friendly walks, but the motivational power of a steam train ride is high! The route runs along fairly flat cycle paths and so you can make quite good progress. This section of the Speyside Way from Boat of Garten to Aviemore runs alongside the Speyside steam railway, and you can catch a return ride on the steam train, which adds to the fun!
Look out for ospreys in the sky, and views of Cairngorm mountain across the Spey valley to the east.
7. Dell Woods at Nethy Bridge
Distance: 3.3 miles / 5.2km for the King’s Road Trail, but shorter options are available.
There are a number of short walks around Nethy Bridge village, and some are accessible routes. The Fairy Village is lots of fun for children, and the artificial stream dug for the local sawmill is also very interesting. The King’s Road Trail is mostly suitable for off-road pushchairs, with one flight of steps which can be avoided. See our walk report for further details.
