Nethy Bridge to Boat of Garten

Boat of Garten is an ideal base for cycling, mountain biking, hill-walking and canoeing in the Cairngorms National Park, with its extensive network of off-road trails and stunning mountain scenery. Close to the bustling ski resort of Aviemore with its all-year-round facilities, Boat of Garten (The Osprey Village) is the perfect place to unwind and to explore the less-visited areas of this beautiful part of the Scottish Highlands by ‘bike or ‘hike’ or by open canoe, with its abundance of hill, forest, river, loch and moor.

Track Information

Distance: 5 miles

Grade: Easy

Start: Nethy Bridge, by the former railway station.

Finish: Boat of Garten, by the railway Station.

Circular options: Yes, using RSPB footpaths and minor roads, see RSPB Loch Garten reserve map.

Terrain: Built paths, forest road.

All abilities: Yes, though there are some rougher sections and a short section with steep gradient (good surface).

Multi-use: Yes, this section is mostly accessible for use by both cycles and horses. Horseriders, however, should avoid the section of path which runs alongside the minor road at the southern end of the route – sections of boardwalk make this unsuitable for horses.

Cycle Routes

Boat of Garten is surrounded by a network of excellent trails suitable for biking and walking. Some trails link to the well-known areas of Glenmore and Rothiemurchus, but many other trails from the village are so quiet you may not see another bike all day! As well as easier rides for the family, there are plenty of longer, harder routes in the area, including miles of single track close by.