Tucked away in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, the Beaver Trail at Rothiemurchus offers one of the most enjoyable family walks in the Aviemore area. This 7km waymarked loop takes you through ancient Caledonian pine forest, past the tranquil waters of Lochan Mor – now home to a pair of reintroduced European beavers – and through open farmland with Highland views that will stay with you long after the walk is done.
We visited as a family of five - myself, my wife Janette, and our three daughters Ellie, Olivia, and Lauren - and although we didn’t spot any beavers on this occasion, the walk itself was a highlight of our time in the Highlands. The scenery, the fresh air, and the fascinating interpretation along the route made it well worth the visit.
History of Rothiemurchus and the Beaver Reintroduction
Rothiemurchus is one of the most treasured areas within the Cairngorms National Park, and its history stretches back thousands of years. The name itself dates to the 8th century, and the first inhabitants were most likely Picts. This vast estate, which extends from the River Spey to the Cairngorm summit plateau, has been under the stewardship of the Grant family since the 1540s - nearly 500 years of continuous custodianship.
The forest at Rothiemurchus is one of the largest surviving areas of ancient Caledonian pine woodland in Europe, covering around 30 square kilometres and believed to contain over 10 million trees. The average age of the Scots pines here exceeds 100 years, with some specimens more than 300 years old. It’s a living remnant of the great forest that once covered much of Scotland, and it’s home to an extraordinary variety of wildlife including red squirrels, capercaillie, crested tits, pine martens, badgers, and Scottish wildcats.
The most significant recent addition to this ecosystem came in December 2023, when European beavers were reintroduced to the Cairngorms after a 400-year absence. The Cairngorms National Park Authority led the project under Scotland’s National Beaver Strategy, with Rothiemurchus becoming the first site in the park to welcome the animals back. On 18th December 2023, the first pair of beavers were released into the Lily Loch area near Lochan Mor by Lorna Slater MSP, then Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity.
The beavers were humanely trapped from the Tay catchment, where they had been causing difficulties on agricultural land, and relocated to the upper Spey. The licence permits up to 15 beaver families to be released over a five-year period across sites including Rothiemurchus, Wildland Cairngorms, and RSPB Insh Marshes. In August 2024, a kit (baby beaver) was born at Rothiemurchus, confirming the pair were thriving in their new home.
Beavers are considered ‘nature’s engineers’ – keystone species with the ability to reshape and restore watery ecosystems. By building dams, coppicing trees, and creating water channels, they help boost biodiversity and reduce flood risk downstream. It’s a remarkable conservation story, and walking the trail that passes through their habitat makes you feel part of something truly special.
Our Visit
Getting There and Parking
We parked at the Woodlands car park at Inverdruie, which is signposted from the Aviemore to Glenmore road (B970). The car park is free and sits beneath tall Scots pines, giving you an immediate taste of the forest atmosphere before you’ve even started walking. There’s a large information board here with a detailed map of the Rothiemurchus estate and all its activities – it’s worth spending a minute getting your bearings.
Directional signposts at the car park clearly point the way to the Beaver Trail, along with other Rothiemurchus activities like the Farm Shop & Cafe, Pony Trekking, Treezone adventure course, and Little Landies. The Beaver Trail is waymarked in red throughout, with distinctive orange beaver logo discs on posts along the route. You really can’t go wrong.
Into the Forest
From the car park, the trail heads out along a path towards the road, where you turn right along the roadside path known as the Logging Way. You cross the road that leads to Loch an Eilein and continue ahead, passing the Triangle car park with the Rothiemurchus Farm Shop and Barn Café nearby. We made a mental note to stop there on the way back for a well-earned coffee.
Soon enough, you leave the road behind and enter the forest proper through a metal gate. A red Rothiemurchus Forest sign reminds you that this is a wildlife conservation area – please use signed paths, don’t light fires, and keep dogs under close control. Just beyond the gate, a superb interpretation board welcomes you to the Beaver Trail with a map, beaver facts, and tips on what signs of beaver activity to look out for, including pencil-shaped tree stumps, beaver chips, pawprints, lodges, and channels.
The path through the forest is simply beautiful. Tall Scots pines rise all around you, their bark glowing orange in the sunlight, while the understory is a carpet of heather, moss, and blaeberry. The air smells wonderful – that distinctive Highland pine scent that you just can’t bottle. Even our three daughters, who can occasionally need persuading when it comes to family walks, were genuinely enjoying themselves.
Along the way, we came across several of the charming ‘beaver-chewed’ marker posts. These were carved by local timber craftsman Doug Edwards in 2024 and are designed to look as though beavers have gnawed the tops. Each one has an information panel with fascinating beaver facts – covering topics like their hand-like front paws, their webbed hind feet for swimming, and how they use their large flat tails for balance and communication. Lauren, our youngest, was particularly taken with the ‘High five!’ panel that compared beaver paws to human hands.
Lochan Mor
After about 1.6 kilometres of walking through the forest, the trees begin to thin and you catch your first glimpse of Lochan Mor – and what a sight it is. On the day we visited, the water was almost perfectly still, creating mirror-like reflections of the surrounding pines, birch trees, and the forested hills beyond. It’s one of those scenes that makes you stop in your tracks and just take it all in.
This is the beaver habitat – the lochan and its surrounding wetland are where the beavers have made their home since December 2023. Beavers are largely nocturnal, being most active at dawn and dusk, so seeing them during a daytime walk is uncommon. We scanned the water’s edge for signs of activity – felled trees, pencil-shaped stumps, wood chips, or channels – and while we didn’t spot anything definitive on this visit, it was exciting knowing they were somewhere nearby.
There’s a lovely stone wall at the lochan that makes a perfect spot to sit and rest. Janette sat down to take in the view while I flew the drone for some aerial footage. A short path leads to an excellent viewpoint and bench overlooking the lochan – well worth the slight detour. We also noticed a duck happily paddling around the shoreline, seemingly quite at home among the beaver’s territory.
The Return Loop
From Lochan Mor, there’s an optional detour to visit Loch an Eilein with its famous ruined island castle. We decided to press on with the main Beaver Trail loop on this occasion, saving Loch an Eilein for another visit. The trail continues past a vehicle barrier and a cottage before climbing gently through woodland.
The landscape changes quite dramatically as you emerge from the dense pine forest into more open farmland. We passed Lower Milton Cottage – a lovely whitewashed holiday cottage with a red tin roof that looked like something from a postcard – before the track climbed gently through an area of woodland that’s home to badgers and pine martens.
As we continued along the track, we had excellent views over the fields of the Rothiemurchus deer farm. The girls were delighted to spot a herd of deer resting in the field below, with the forested hillside rising behind them. It’s a beautiful stretch of the walk with wide-open Highland views that contrast wonderfully with the enclosed forest sections earlier.
We passed through a gate and soon came to Croft House at the crest of the hill, then continued past another house towards Blackpark. Along the way, we noticed the atmospheric stone ruins of an old building – a reminder of the long human history of this landscape. The Highland hills stretched out behind, and on this clear spring day the views were spectacular.
At Blackpark, the track merges with a minor road that leads gently downhill. This section passes through lovely birch and heather woodland, with juniper bushes dotted along the edges. Eventually, the road emerges at the Aviemore to Glenmore road, where you turn left along the Logging Way path to rejoin the outward route back to the car park.
Before heading back to the car, we popped across to The Barn Café at Rothiemurchus for a well-deserved coffee and cake. It’s a lovely spot with a cosy woodburning stove, outdoor seating, and a menu featuring hearty soups, stews, sandwiches, and daily specials. There’s also an interactive beaver exhibition with a touch table in the café vestibule – perfect for learning more about the beavers and their reintroduction story. The Farm Shop across the road is well worth a browse too, stocked with Highland beef, venison, cheeses, and local produce.
Videos from the Beaver Trail at Rothiemurchus
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Beaver Trail at Rothiemurchus?
The full Beaver Trail loop is approximately 7km (4.8 miles) and takes around 2 to 2.5 hours to complete at a leisurely pace. You can shorten the walk by turning back at Lochan Mor, which makes it a 3.2km (2 mile) out-and-back route.
Is the Beaver Trail free?
Yes, the Beaver Trail is completely free to walk. Parking at the Woodlands car park at Inverdruie is also free. The only charges at Rothiemurchus are at the Loch an Eilein car park if you choose to make the optional detour.
Will I see beavers on the Beaver Trail?
Beavers are largely nocturnal, being most active at dawn and dusk, so sightings during daytime walks are uncommon. However, you may spot signs of beaver activity such as felled trees, pencil-shaped stumps, wood chips, and channels. For the best chance of seeing beavers, visit at dawn or dusk and remain very quiet near Lochan Mor.
Is the Beaver Trail suitable for children and pushchairs?
The first section from the car park to Lochan Mor (1.6km each way) is on good, well-maintained paths that are accessible to most, including sturdy pushchairs. The full 7km loop includes some rougher sections, forest tracks, and a minor road, which may be less suitable for pushchairs but is fine for children who are confident walkers.
Are dogs allowed on the Beaver Trail?
Dogs are welcome on the Beaver Trail but must be kept under close control at all times, particularly near the beaver habitat. Rothiemurchus is a wildlife conservation area, so dogs should be on a short lead or at heel. The Barn Café is also dog-friendly, with a designated area for dogs.
Are there toilets on the Beaver Trail?
There are no toilets along the trail itself, but there are toilets at The Barn Café at Inverdruie, a short walk from the Woodlands car park. The café had ten new toilets installed in 2024 as part of a major refurbishment.
When is the best time to walk the Beaver Trail?
The trail can be walked year-round, though spring and autumn offer particularly beautiful scenery. In spring, the forest floor comes alive with new growth, while autumn brings spectacular colours to the birch trees along the return leg. The trail can be muddy in places after wet weather, so waterproof footwear is recommended.
Key Information
- Location: Beaver Trail, Rothiemurchus Estate, Inverdruie, Aviemore PH22 1QL
- Grid Reference: NH 900 107
- Managed by: Rothiemurchus Estate / Cairngorms National Park Authority
- Entry: Free
- Parking: Free at Woodlands car park, Inverdruie
- Facilities: The Barn Café (open 9:30am–4:30pm, 7 days), Farm Shop, gift shop, toilets at The Barn, interactive beaver exhibition
- Accessibility: First 1.6km to Lochan Mor is accessible to most on good paths. Full 7km loop includes rougher tracks and minor road.
- Dogs: Welcome, must be kept under close control
- Distance: 7km (4.8 miles) loop, or 3.2km to Lochan Mor and back
- Time: Allow 2–2.5 hours for the full loop
What Else is Nearby?
- Loch an Eilein: A beautiful loch with a ruined 13th-century island castle, accessible via a short detour from the Beaver Trail or a separate visit from its own car park. The walk around the loch is about 5km.
- Cairngorm Mountain and Funicular Railway: Scotland’s highest funicular railway whisks you up to 1,097 metres for spectacular views. Located about 20 minutes’ drive from Inverdruie via Glenmore.
- Loch Morlich: A stunning loch at the foot of the Cairngorms with sandy beaches, watersports, and walking trails. Home to the highest beach in Britain.
- Highland Wildlife Park: Part of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, this park near Kincraig is home to polar bears, Scottish wildcats, snow leopards, and other Highland and exotic species. About 15 minutes’ drive from Aviemore.
- Landmark Forest Adventure Park, Carrbridge: A popular family attraction with treetop trails, a maze, water play, and adventure activities. About 20 minutes north of Aviemore.
Final Thoughts
The Beaver Trail at Rothiemurchus is one of those walks that delivers on every level. The ancient Caledonian pine forest is mesmerising, Lochan Mor is a genuinely beautiful spot, and the return loop through open farmland with Highland views gives a completely different perspective. Even without spotting the beavers themselves, the trail is well worth the visit for the scenery alone.
What sets this walk apart is the quality of the interpretation along the route. The beaver-chewed marker posts with their educational panels are brilliant for families, and the interactive exhibition at The Barn Café adds another dimension to the experience. It’s clear that a lot of care and thought has gone into making the beaver reintroduction story accessible and engaging for visitors of all ages.
We’ll definitely be back – perhaps at dawn next time, in the hope of finally catching a glimpse of those elusive furry engineers at work. If you’re visiting Aviemore and looking for a family-friendly walk with real character, the Beaver Trail at Rothiemurchus should be right at the top of your list.
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