Loch Morlich Beach

Watersports and walking at the highest beach in Britain

Families play games on the sand, windsurfers tack across the clean water, and when the sun shines you can top up your tan. Close your eyes and you could be at the seaside! Famous for being the highest beach in Britain, this is the only freshwater beach in Scotland to have a Rural Beach Award.

Walking trails

Glenmore Forest Park route card (PDF)

Walking

Beach Trail

Meander through the beautiful pine, birch and alder woods by the Allt Mor burn to reach Loch Morlich’s golden sands.

Largely wide, smooth gravel and tarmac surface, with slightly uneven and loose sections. Some short fairly steep slopes. Includes two road crossings.

1 ½ miles / 2.4 km

Allow
1 hour

More information

The coarse, pink sand of Loch Morlich's popular beach comes from the granite of the Cairngorm mountains, ground down by glaciers and rivers over thousands of years.

Walking

Loch Morlich Trail

A charming circuit round the water, with fine views of the mountains above and a good chance of seeing Goldeneye, red-throated divers and even otters.

Mostly wide, smooth and flat gravel surface. Some uneven gravel sections, with potentially muddy areas. Short moderate slopes and one steep ramp. Includes two road crossings.

3 ½ miles / 5.8 km

Allow
2 hours

More information

Winding through Forestry Commission land, with the loch shining through the trees, this trail gives you a real experience of the great swathe of woodland that washes against the slopes of the Cairngorms. Look out for dippers, wagtails and herons by the burns that feed the loch along the way.

Activities

Fun on the water

If you’d like to try zipping across the waves, you can hire boats, canoes or windsurfers at Loch Morlich Watersports. They’ll teach you how to use them too.

Just a little way from the beach, the trails offer peace, quiet, and a forest alive with birds and animals. Come early in the morning and watch for birds like sandpipers and herons, or otters hunting along the streams that feed the loch.

Camping at Glenmore

Looking for somewhere to stay? Get a pitch at Glenmore campsite.

Facilities and access

Walking

Toilets

Parking (charge)

Easy-access facilities

Picnic area

Toilets are a seasonal facility and close on 31 October, re-opening on 1 April every year.

Glenmore Forest Park Visitor Centre is only a ¼ mile east of the car park.

No camping is allowed within the car park area and fires and barbecues are not permitted.

Car parking information

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 Loch Morlich Beach are:

Payment options: coin only

• £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

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. 

The nearest 'pay by card' car park ticket machine is located near the front door of the Glenmore Visitor Centre. Car Parking tickets bought at any machine are valid in all Forestry and Land Scotland Car Parks in Glenmore Forest Park.

Annual parking pass available:

• £40 car, £100 mini-bus/coach (valid for 12 months)
• Available in advance by downloading the application form and emailing/posting to the Regional Office.
• Please read our Annual Pass terms and conditions before applying.
• Valid at the following sites: Glenmore Visitor Centre, Glenmore Beach, Loch Morlich, Lochside, Sugarbowl, Allt Mor, Allt Ban, Hayfield

More parking info

Accessibility

Getting here

From the roundabout at the south end of Aviemore follow the signs for 'The Cairngorms' for 6 miles. Stay on the main road passing the first car park at Loch Morlich, continuing on to the far end of the loch. A sign for 'Loch Morlich Watersports' marks the entrance to Loch Morlich Beach.

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

Using SatNav?

PH22 1QU is the nearest postcode.

Public transport

Buses between Aviemore and the Cairngorm Mountain ski centre pass Loch Morlich Beach. Plan your journey at Traveline Scotland.

Get directions