Glenmore Visitor Centre

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.

Glenmore Forest Park Visitor Centre on Facebook

Walking trails

Glenmore Forest Park route card (PDF)

Walking

Ryvoan Trail

Visit the enchanting An Lochan Uaine (The Green Lochan) watched over by An Sidhean (The Fairies' Hill), then wind back through the ancient pine and birch forest above. Walk starts at the front of the visitor centre.

Smooth gravel track with moderate slopes up to lochan. Rough, narrow gravel and earth section beyond, with exposed tree roots. Long steep slopes with long sets of rough rocky steps.

3 ½ miles / 5.8 km

Allow
2½ 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. 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

Walking

Toilets

Cycling

Parking (charge)

Easy-access facilities

Cafe or refreshments

Visitor centre

Mountain access

Opening hours

• Glenmore Visitor Centre: Open every day, 9.30am - 4pm. 

• Glenmore Forest Café by Cobbs: Opening hours may vary for the time being due to staffing issues. Please check their Facebook page for updates. 

• Car parks and trails: Open 7 days a week.

Toilets are available at the Visitor Centre during cafe opening hours. The Loch Morlich Beach toilets will reopen for the season on 29 March 2024 (open 24/7). Please check the Highland Council website for details and opening times of additional toilet facilities.

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.

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