Here you can find a selection of routes in the Cairngorm Runners area that are up to 5k!
1. Aviemore Parkrun
Start and Finish: Route 7 Cafe, Dalfaber Industrial Estate
Distance: 5km
The obvious one, loved by Parkrun tourists visiting this beautiful area, the route is an undulating out and back along the Speyside Way heading north out of Aviemore. Join the Speyside Way by the Route 7 Cafe (which is a great spot for your post run refreshment) and you're almost at the start line. Turn right to head under the railway bridge and enjoy the out and back route with great views into the Cairngorms. You can check out all the details on the Parkrun website.
2. Craigellachie Hill Run
Start and Finish: MacDonald Resort/Aviemore Youth Hostel
Distance 4.8-5km
Strava Route
This short and punchy route will see you gain around 300m in height, but the views over the Spey Valley and the Cairngorms make the burning thighs more than worth it. Regardless of your start point in Aivemore you will need to head underneath the A9 through the underpass and into the Craigellachie National Nature Reserve. Once you are west of the A9 you can follow the waymarked trails towards the viewpoint. This trail is both steep and has steps in some places, so take care. Once reaching the summit and enjoying the views, most of our runners choose to return back the way they came, however it is possible to turn this run into a loop by continuing on a less well trodden path to the south, before descending through the trees and re-joining the path you ascended on just before the underpass.
3. Loch Morlich
Start and Finish: Loch Morlich Car Park
Distance: 5.7km
Strava Route
The classic circumnavigation of Loch Morlich, popular amongst locals and visitors alike with a trip to the beach not to be missed. This route can be run in either direction and begun from any of the lochside car parks. From the Loch Morlich car park, cross the road and join the Old Logging Way heading up hill towards the Glenmore Visitor Centre, you can turn off just short of this through the Beach car park and head through the woods along pleasant paths behind the beach following the paths around the lochside. Beyond the beach the paths will take you a short distance away from the water until you join the paths coming from the Hayfield car park that will allow you to take in the southern bank of the loch. Keeping the water on your right means that you're going in the correct direction. Once you reach the west end of the loch a right turn onto a forest road and crossing the bridge leads you back to the car park where you left off and one of the best views into the northern corries that there is from the lochside.
Disclaimer
Running can be dangerous and all runners must take personal responsibility for their own safety. You should always carry a backup means of navigation and not rely on a single phone, app or map. Cairngorm Runners strives to provide accurate information but cannot accept responsibility for changes, errors or omissions.
Copyright © 2024 Cairngorm Runners. All rights reserved. | Website by Coire Creative