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Glenmore Visitor Centre

Where we are

Latest forest information

  • From 4 November 2024: the upper route to An Lochan Uaine will be closed for two weeks due to civil engineering works. The singletrack path section near the lochan will remain open but there will be no access along the forest road to or from Glenmore. The Ryvoan Trail is unaffected.

  • Glenmore Forest Café by Cobbs has closed. For more information, please see the Facilities and Access section.
  • While the cafe is closed, the nearest available toilets are at the Highland Council block near the car park entrance.

  • Harvesting works with extensive timber haulage is taking place above the Glenmore Visitor Centre and east of Badaguish. The forest road above Beglan is closed for these works to take place safely. Please exercise caution and follow all on-site safety signage. Access to Beglan Township and Meall a’ Bhuachaille are not affected.
  • Do not light fires or BBQs. If you need to cook, use a gas stove.
  • No overnight parking. Please plan ahead and book a campsite.
  • Park responsibly in designated bays and do not block access for emergency vehicles.

Open water

  • This destination contains areas of open water which can be hazardous if you are not suitably prepared. Follow our water safety advice and take care.

About

The essential starting point for your visit to Glenmore

Find out more about Glenmore Forest Park at our visitor centre, where you can consider the range of trails and activities whilst relaxing in our café. You can begin a walk to a magical lochan from here, or jump over the road to Loch Morlich Beach for watersports and cycling trails.

Just outside the Visitor Centre you'll encounter a memorial to a company of Norwegian resistance fighters who were based in Glenmore during the Second World War. They trained in the forest and on the shores of Loch Morlich for daring raids against the Nazi forces occupying Norway.

Green Tourism silver award

Glenmore Forest Park Visitor Centre on Facebook

Walking trails

Glenmore Forest Park route card (PDF)

Walking

Ryvoan Trail

A trail notice is in effect

There is currently construction work at the Reindeer Centre, affecting a short section of the Ryvoan Trail. Please take care when passing this and follow onsite signage.

Visit the enchanting An Lochan Uaine (The Green Lochan) and enjoy the splendour of the ancient pine and birch forest all around. You can also park at the Allt Mor car park for access to Ryvoan Pass and An Lochan Uaine.

Mostly smooth gravel track with some moderate slopes. Some short fairly steep slopes. One road crossing and short roadside section

Moderate trail grade icon grade icon
3 ½ miles / 5.8 km

Allow 2 ½ hours

More information

On your quest to the lochan, listen out for red squirrels scampering in the branches or cracking open pine cones overhead.

Activities

Meall a' Bhuachaille hill path

If you want a real workout, there's a great hill route from the visitor centre up to Meall a' Bhuachaille – the hill of the shepherd. The path is a stiff climb from the car park to the summit at 2600 ft (810 metres). It's well worth it for the view from the top towards the rolling Cairngorm plateau and the wide strath of the Spey. There's a clear, easy to follow path to the summit. The path starts at the rear of the visitor centre, marked by a wooden signpost, but there are no further markers along the route. You'll need proper hill walking equipment for this trip. Find out more about the route at WalkHighlands.

Children's activities

If you have children with you, why not follow one of the seasonal self-led trails often put out by the ranger service? Look for the start of the trail at the visitor centre.

Facilities and access

Mountain access
Mountain access
Cycling
Cycling
Walking
Walking
Toilets
Toilets
Parking (charge)
Parking (charge)
Visitor centre
Visitor centre
Easy-access facilities
Easy-access facilities
Cafe or refreshments
Cafe or refreshments

Opening hours

  • Glenmore Visitor Centre: Open every day, 9.30am - 4pm. 
  • Glenmore Forest Café by Cobbs: has now closed and will reopen under new ownership this winter, following Aviemore and Glenmore Community Trust’s acquisition of the building under the Community Asset Transfer Scheme. You can follow AGCT’s Facebook page for updates about the project.

  • Toilets: while the café is closed, the nearest available toilets are 1 minute walk from the Visitor Centre, near the bus stop in Glenmore Village.
  • Car parks and trails: Open 7 days a week.

Toilets are available at the Visitor Centre during cafe opening hours. Public toilets are available 24 hours at Loch Morlich Beach car park (Easter-October) and in Glenmore village (year round).

No camping is allowed within the car park area. Fires and barbecues are not permitted. For more information on best practice in the outdoors, visit the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

Car parking information

The only 'pay via card' car park ticket machine is located near the front door of the Glenmore Visitor Centre. Tickets bought at any machine in the Glenmore Forest Park are valid in all our other car parks in Glenmore. The charges to park at Glenmore Visitor Centre are:

Payment options: coin, card or RingGo

  • £2 for up to 1 hour
  • £3 for up to 3 hours
  • £4 for all day (vehicles up to 7 seats)
  • £12 for minibus or coach all day 
  • Blue Badge holders park for free. Please display your badge clearly

We recommend you bring both coins and cards with you, just in case. Please park with care and consideration. In particular please park in designated parking areas only and do not block entrances or gates. Nearby car parks with free parking can be found in our local forest list without the £ symbol. 

Annual parking pass available:

Available in advance by downloading the relevant application form and emailing to the Regional Office. Please read our Annual Pass terms and conditions before applying.

Glenmore Car Park Pass - £40 per car and £100 per mini-bus or coach
 
FLS National Car Park Pass - £100 per car and £150 per mini bus or coach

Valid at all Forestry and Land Scotland car parks except Tentsmuir.

FLS National Pass application form

 

More parking info

Dogs

Well-behaved dogs are welcome in the Visitor Centre and café. Please keep them on a short lead. The dog-friendly area of the café is at the far end, on the left when you enter. Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the building.

Getting here

From the roundabout at the south end of Aviemore follow the signs for 'The Cairngorms' for 6 miles. Glenmore Visitor Centre is easy to spot on the left-hand side of the road, just beyond Loch Morlich

You can cycle here from Aviemore on the Old Logging Way; a superb, safe bike route that runs for 6 miles from Aviemore to the Visitor Centre.

Using SatNav?

PH22 1QU is the nearest postcode.

Public transport

Buses between Aviemore and the Cairngorm Mountain Railway pass the visitor centre. You'll find details at Traveline Scotland.

Get directions

Get in touch

Have a question or suggestion for improvement?

Phone
0300 067 6100 (option 1)
More contact information

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Drooping conifer branch

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Facilities and activities
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Easy-access facilities
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Parking (charge)
Parking (charge)
Picnic area
Picnic area
Toilets
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Distance from 'Loch Morlich Beach': 0.31 miles
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