CE5:1. CNP BOOKLET AW_19.05.05 25/3/09 09:58 Page 1 CE5:1. CNP BOOKLET AW_19.05.05 25/3/09 09:58 Page 2 Credits Published by 14 The Square, Grantown-on-Spey Moray PH26 3HG www.cairngorms.co.uk Email: [email protected] Tel: 01479 873535 Designed, produced & distributed on behalf of Cairngorms National Park Authority by Carr-Bridge. Tel: 01479 841900 Original National Nature Reserves copy by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Printed on paper from sustainable, managed forests. When you have finished with this brochure please recycle it. Credits Cover photographs Front: Cycling, Gaick Pass Back: Corrie Fee NNR Centre Map Ashworth Maps and Interpretation Ltd Photographs Pete Crane; Scottish Natural Heritage; Andy Rice; Stewart Grant; Colin Leslie, Forestry Commission Scotland; Mike Fletcher; Roy Hill; John Thorne. 2 Craig Meagaidh National Nature Reserve CE5:1. CNP BOOKLET AW_19.05.05 25/3/09 09:58 Page 3 Contents Page Welcome to the Cairngorms National Park 4 How to use this guide 4 Tell Us What YouThink 5 Cairngorms on a Shoestring 6 Safety and Equipment Hire 7 Enjoying the Countryside 7 & 9 Access for All 8 Cheap Fares and Concessionary Travel 10 Public Transport Contact Details 12 John Muir Award 14 Using transport to travel around the Park: - Taxis 13 - Buses and trains 1 In Badenoch and Strathspey 15-35 1 In Tomintoul, Strathdon and District 45-49 1 In Deeside 52-59 1 In Angus Glens 60-69 Using Public transport to travel to the Park: 1 From Aberdeen 15, 49, 54-57 1 From Dundee 62-67 1 From Edinburgh 18, 34-35 1 From Glasgow 19, 34-35 1 From Inverness 16, 18-19, 23, 34-35, 41, 49 1 From Perth 15, 18-19, 34-35 1 From Stirling 19, 34-35 Cairngorms National Park Map 36-37 Cairngorms Independent Hostels 40 Contents SYHA and Access at Hostels 40-41 Inverness Cycle Bus 41 Cairngorms Farmers Market 43 Art in the Park 44 Walking Festivals in and around the Park 50 Ski Centres 51 Walking and Cycling Routes: 11 Abernethy 21 1 Craigellachie 28-29 1 Craig Meagaidh 32 1 Glenmore 33 1 Insh Marshes 38 1 Invereshie & Inshriach 39 11 Tomintoul, Strathdon & District 45 1 Muir of Dinnet 52-53 1 Glen Tanar 58-59 1 Corrie Fee 60-61 Website and Visitor Guide 70 Countryside Rangers 70 Index of Place Names 71 3 CE5:1. CNP BOOKLET AW_19.05.05 25/3/09 09:58 Page 4 Welcome to the Cairngorms National Park elcome to the Cairngorms Explorer, Wwhich brings together all the information you need to get around the Park without a car.Whether you’re a resident or visitor you can leave the car behind and use another form of transport. You’ll not only be helping the Welcome environment, but get to enjoy more of the Cairngorms. Glenmore Forest How to Use This Guide his Explorer guide has been designed cycle or walking route information, and Tto make it easier for you to access to the Park map on pages 36-37. and enjoy the Cairngorms National Park You are strongly advised to plan your day by train, bus, cycle, on foot or using using more comprehensive guides and mobility aids.We have divided the Park maps, available from bookshops and into geographical areas, each identified visitor information centres: VICs can by a distinct colour band down the also give you more detailed descriptions page margins throughout the guide. of the walks in this brochure. Public transport timetables are given for travel within each area, and for AREAS OF THE PARK accessing the Park from the main 1 Badenoch and Strathspey Scottish population centres. 1 Tomintoul, Strathdon and District For ease of reference, we have included 1 on page 71, a list of the names of all of Deeside the towns and villages in the Park, 1 Angus Glens cross-referenced to relevant timetable, KEY TO SYMBOLS USED Buses which may transport Walking route bicycles Cycle route Buses which do not transport c Access for All How to Use This Guide bicycles Hail and ride * * Hail and Ride Bus Services Trains which transport bicycles On certain sections of route there are no recognised bus stops. Buses on these route Trains which do not transport sections will stop and pick up and set down on request at a safe location.The benefits being that bicycles passengers can select their most convenient boarding/alighting point. 4 CE5:1. CNP BOOKLET AW_19.05.05 25/3/09 09:58 Page 5 G Has the Cairngorms Explorer made a Difference to how you travel? G Have you used it to get around the Park? G Anything you like, or dislike, about the publication? G Any changes or additions you’d like to see made? G Where else should it be available? G Should it be online only? G How can we get more people travelling without a car? Please send any comments to [email protected] Tell Us What YouThink ? Please state if you’re resident or visiting. 5 CE5:1. CNP BOOKLET AW_19.05.05 25/3/09 09:58 Page 6 Cairngorms on a Shoestring t doesn’t matter how old you are, how Ifit you are, or how much you have to spend - the Park is for everyone to enjoy. Many things to see and do are completely free - including walking and wildlife watching - mostly provided by nature. There are over 1000km of waymarked trails in the Cairngorms. Some walks are for all abilities which make them ideal for EXPLOREYOUR NATIONAL PARK wheelchair users and also for those pushing buggies, and there are also cycle the Cairngorms National Park. routes linking different places. Organised Ranger-led activities in the Cairngorms camp sites, bunkhouses and hostels are listed online in the ‘What’s On’ provide low-cost accommodation. section of www.visitcairngorms.com Search for campsites, hostels and other Throughout the Park you will find accommodation on bothies which provide very simple www.visitscotland.com or accommodation when walking in wild www.welcometoscotland.com areas. See www.mountainbothies.org.uk If you are travelling through wild country, Scattered throughout this brochure you’ll you may choose to wild camp.This means find walks and activities you can do you can camp overnight free of charge, easily, inexpensively and without a car - though this brings extra responsibilities saving you some money, and saving the (see page 9 for how to do this). environment too. And for a real taste The Park Authority also provides free of Scotland, go to a Highland Games booklets and brochures, including or Show, see information about what to see and do in www.visitscotland.com/guide/see-and- do/events/highlandgames On page 10 there are details of Cairngorms on a Shoestring discounted fares on buses and trains. Check with operators first if you plan to take a bicycle, see page 12.And before you head out, have a look at the safety advice on page 7. See the Cairngorms on a Shoestring pages on the Cairngorms Visitors’ website for more info - www.visitcairngorms.com Big Issue Foundation Group at Glenmore 6 CE5:1. CNP BOOKLET AW_19.05.05 25/3/09 09:58 Page 7 Safety Equipment Hire for Groups Safety Can I hire equipment? In most areas voluntary and community groups G Tell someone where you’re going and can hire equipment and clothing at very when you’ll be back reasonable rates. If you are looking for items G Check the weather forecast - see like camping gear, waterproofs, boots, bikes, page 9 canoes, climbing gear and/or instruction, contact G Wear sensible clothing to fit the walk or your local authority or Outdoor Education Service for more information. activity. Even in summer you may see snow on the hills, so take clothing to If you live in Aberdeenshire - equipment is keep you warm and dry stored in Inverurie, contact Henry Trotter Tel 01467 625088 Mob 07880 600822. G You’ll need food to keep you going, www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/adventure more than usual, something hot in a Aberdeen City - The Council’s Outdoor flask and a rucksack to put it in Education Base has a large resource of G If you’re cycling make sure you have a equipment. The base is at the Summerhill repair kit and tyre pump Centre, Lang Stracht, Aberdeen AB15 6JA. G Going into the hills? You should be [email protected] Tel 01224 346191. trained with a map and compass as remoter paths and tracks will not be Moray - Outfit Moray hires a variety of waymarked, and take a first aid kit outdoor equipment.Walking and camping equipment, canoe and Spey descent outfitting, G Inexperienced? Try lower-level walks fleet bike hire with delivery and pick up, first - you’ll be able to take less watersports equipment including wetsuits are equipment and the views are still great all available at competitive rates. Outfit How long a walk or cycle route will take Moray, 1-5 Pinetree House, Pinefield Cresent, depends on you.As a general guide, allow 1 Elgin IV30 6HZ.Tel: 01343 549571. hour to walk 2km or to cycle 10km, longer www.outfitmoray.com over rough or high terrain. Angus - equipment stored in Arbroath contact Enjoying the Countryside Gavin Brebner 01241 828110, email [email protected] There are plenty of local businesses supplying equipment too. Try www.cairngormschamber.com Loch Morlich 7 CE5:1. CNP BOOKLET AW_19.05.05 25/3/09 09:58 Page 8 c Access for All The Cairngorms National Park Authority Anyone with special travelling needs is committed to developing access for all.