The Cairngorms National Park
The Cairngorms is simply inspiring!
It has something for everyone, from exploring nature and wildlife in the mountains, to adventures in ancient woodlands or taking a dip in one of our freshwater Lochs.
The Cairngorms National Park has spectacular landscapes from wild, high mountains, to heather moorlands, magnificent forests, lowland farms and crofts, wetlands and rivers which wind through the flood plains – as the biggest and most northerly National Park in Britain, it is simply awe-inspiring.
Key activities
Walking , Activity
Set in spectacular scenery there are short low-level walks, longer hikes through woodlands and mountains, multi-day long distance walks and mountain top routes to choose from, where ever you are in the Park.
Wildlife watching , Activity
Come to the Cairngorms to see Scotland’s rare and iconic wildlife for yourself. Keep your eyes peeled for darting red squirrels and soaring ospreys, go out with a guide or watch from a hide – the choice is yours!
Outdoor Activities , Activity
The Park offers something for everyone – water sports, snow sports, incredible walking and cycling routes, plus 12 golf courses. It even has the first permanent bridge-based bungee jump in the UK.
Special qualities
10 reasons why the Cairngorms is a special place
Adventure – Cycling and biking is one of the many ways to explore and discover the sights, nature and wildlife in the Park. All types of cycling are catered for from family-friendly routes, stunning rides on quiet roads to some of the best mountain bike trails in Scotland for all ages and abilities.
Castles & Gatherings – Explore the past by visiting our castles and historical sites, immerse yourself in the culture of the Cairngorms through our local music, ceilidhs and highland games.
Dark Skies – The Tomintoul and Glenlivet area is one of the best places to see a night sky brimming with stars. Some brilliant vantage points and vast horizons have seen the area awarded the prestigious status of International Dark Sky Park and is the most Northerly Dark Sky Park in the world and among the darkest skies in the UK!
Family Fun – The Cairngorms National Park is a world-renowned area where both residents and visitors, especially families, can enjoy an unparalleled range of outdoor recreation opportunities with something for everyone no matter what age, ability or interest.
Food & Drink – Few regions in Scotland encapsulate the traditional and world-famous cuisine of the country as well as the Cairngorms – venison from deer that range across the hills, beef from Highland cattle and hardy rare breeds, salmon and trout from pristine rivers and lochs and whisky from age-old distilleries.
Hospitality – Providing a warm welcome and exceptional experiences to people from near and far is part of our culture in the Cairngorms National Park. Voted one of the top destinations in the world, visitors ‘love this place’.
Landscapes – The Cairngorms National Park is hugely diverse; it is a living, working landscape from the wild high mountains, to the heather moorlands and peatlands, to the magnificent forests, the farms and crofts, and the wetlands and rivers which wind through the flood plains.
Scenic Routes – Whether travelling by bike, car or on foot, there are plenty of places to stop and take in the natural beauty of the landscape.
Stories & Culture – Separated by the great bulk of the mountains, different areas of the Park have their own distinct identity and cultural traditions, but they share deep connections to the same environments. Explore Scotland’s Gaelic language through our place names and unique stories that they tell of the Park.
Wildlife – The wildlife in the National Park is outstanding. It is a stronghold for many rare and endangered species, living in some of our most natural landscapes.
Did you know?
Wild and Wonderful
The Cairngorms is celebrated as a place of wildness. The feeling of being surrounded by wildlife and natural habitats helps us reconnect with nature, and refreshes the mind and body. It is hard to describe the outstanding nature and landscapes of the Cairngorms National Park, its importance for the people who live and work here, the people who visit and enjoy the area and the significance of the wildlife and habitats supported by this special place. This is a place hugely valued by many people as well as wildlife. The Cairngorms is home to a quarter of the UK’s rare and endangered species. It contains Scotland’s largest, most natural habitats and is where the country’s most ambitious, landscape-scale conservation action is taking place. It is home to 18,500 residents and welcomes over 2 million visitors each year.
Plan your visit
Whether you are looking for adventure, fun for the whole family or a break from the everyday – the Cairngorms National Park has a lot to offer so let us help you plan your visit. Situated in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, the National Park is easy to reach by road, rail, plane or bike. We have direct train links to Inverness, Glasgow, Edinburgh and London.
Travelling on a budget
There are many things to see and do in the Park that won’t break the bank and some that are completely free.
A park for all
If you or a family member have accessibility requirements, there are plenty of easy-access paths to enjoy, accessible activities and attractions to visit as well as accessible facilities and services available to you. For more information visit Access for All in the Cairngorms National Park. We look forward to welcoming you to our special place!
Dartmoor National Park celebrates 75 years today, but its story holds more than 10,000 years of human history.
Some of its prehistoric remains date back to the Bronze Age, and the longest prehistoric stone row in the world can be found on Dartmoor.
Dartmoor truly is a place where thousands of years of history remain woven into the landscape. 💚
#Dartmoor #DartmoorNationalPark #NationalParksUK
You don`t have to wait for nightfall to experience the magic of darkness. ✨🌙
Now the nights are drawing in, “Dusking", a traditional Dutch twilight ritual, could teach us how to appreciate the darkening evenings.
As the golden hour fades into the blue hour, the landscape begins it quiet transformation. Colours soften, sounds change, and a hidden world starts to emerge. Bats take to the skies, moths begin their nightly journeys, and familiar places reveal a completely different character.
While the tradition of Dusking may have begun in the Netherlands and re-introduced in Amsterdam, shared experiences are spreading across Europe.
Places like @northyorkmoors are holding dusking events as part of their Dark Skies Festivals, inviting people to slow down and reconnect with nature together.
Have you ever tried Dusking? Tell us below 👇
📸
Danby Beacon, North York Moors National Park (Russell Burton)
Sutton Bank at sunset, North York Moors National Park (Oliver Sherratt)
Sutton Bank at dusk, North York Moors National Park (Steve Bell)
North York Moors National Park (Steve Bell)
The clocks go back on Sunday, which means more darkness. ⏰ ⭐
But darkness isn’t always a bad thing. Darker nights bring many benefits for our natural environment, supporting wildlife and helping nature thrive.
Stargazing beneath our dark skies also connects us to centuries of traditions and our enduring fascination with the stars. ✨
Our National Parks are home to some of the darkest skies in the UK. By protecting these special places, we can help preserve the dark skies that benefit both people and nature.
#DarkSkies #NationalParks #ClocksGoBack
👻 Strange sights and spooky stories await in the @Southdownsnp
From mist-shrouded woods and twisted trees to castles beneath the moon, the National Park is home to many eerie spots.
And across our 15 National Parks, there are tales that have endured for centuries, legends still passed down today, and histories with dark chapters.
📸
Ghost in South Downs - Luis Fernando Mancilla
Iping tree - Richard Murray
Harvest moon - Andrew Gambling Photography
Devil’s Dyke - Sam Moore
Stamner Park - Finn Curry
#SouthDowns #Halloween #NationalParks
🎉 Happy Exmoor Day, @exmoornp!
Today, Exmoor National Park celebrates years of connecting people with nature, wildlife and the great outdoors.
From England’s largest wild red deer herd and native ponies to Europe’s first International Dark Sky Reserve and dramatic landscapes, Exmoor is a place full of life, history and discovery.
Its landscapes, wildlife and historic villages bring people closer to nature and create opportunities to explore, connect and enjoy the benefits of being outdoors.
Here’s to Exmoor – and many more adventures to come! 💚
#Exmoor #ExmoorNationalPark #NationalParksUK
Happy birthday @parc_eryri 🎂
From its towering peaks and sweeping valleys to its rich heritage, Eryri (Snowdonia) is a place that means so much to so many people.
It`s a landscape full of stories, shaped by generations of people and home to some of Wales` most treasured places, from the summit of Yr Wyddfa to the quieter corners.
Today, we`re celebrating everything that makes Eryri unique, from the people and traditions that give it its character to the ongoing work to protect its landscapes and wildlife.
Share your favourite memories of Eryri in the comments! 💬
📸Ogwen Valley, Snowdonia @cinqueportsphotography
#Eryri #EryriNationalPark #TheAnswerIsNationalParks
Autumn is a chance to give nature a helping hand. 🍂
From leaving fallen leaves to providing food for birds, small actions can make a big difference to the world around us.
Here are some of the ways to help nature this season.
#NatureRecovery #Autumn #NationalParks
An ancient wall almost 2,000 years old, and a catch-up with your mate? ✅
Historic landmarks like Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland National Park have been connecting people for centuries.
While that connection looks very different today from the wall’s original role as a Roman defensive fortification, it’s still a place where people come together and explore history.
Because our National Parks are about so much more than great places for a day out. They’re places to connect with friends, clear your head, get active and learn about history, all in one place.
#Northumberland #HadriansWall #NationalParksUK
