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Active Sports in the Cairngorms Park
For the outdoor enthusiast the Cairngorms National Park has something for everyone. It boasts numerous mountain-biking trails, hundreds of picturesque mountain walks, seasonal rock climbs of varying difficulty and superb horse-riding.
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The park offers the serious mountain biker a wide range of trails. The route through Rothiemurchus Forest is relatively easy, while Glen Feshie is highly recommended. Lairig An Laoigh is quite a bit tougher however. Inverdruie just outside Aviemore is a good place to start, as is Glenmore Lodge. From here you can head through the Ryvoan Pass, around the Kincardine Hills and back over the Sluggan Pass to Loch Morlich.The Wolftrax Centre in Laggan is perhaps best-known for its fearsome four-mile double black diamond descent with the infamous Heart of Darkness section but there are plenty of routes for the novice and intermediate. The 25-mile Corrieyairack Pass route needs a bit more stamina however. The Lecht ski area also has two new descents with chairlifts, perfect for the more lazy biker. Craggan Outdoors have the beautiful Glenbeg Estate as thie Mountain Bike. |
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Logie Farm near Grantown-on-Spey offers expert tuition and a choice of long or short hacks, while the Millhorn Riding Centre in Angus is easily accessible. Perhaps better-known are the trekking centres at Carrbridge, Kingussie and Newtonmore. All cater for families and are TRSS-approved. For a six-day trail-riding adventure try the Tomintoul Centre on the Glenlivet Estate . The Haflinger Centre in Laggan offers child-friendly pony treks while the Alvie Estate just south of Aviemore offers all types of treks. |
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Amongst a wide range of active sports, Aviemore now has its own Extreme Dream climbing wall. There are grades to suit all levels and a viewing gallery for the less brave. The same company has also just introduced its dry river raiders gorge course. Craggan Outdoors offer a great range of climbing options. Just south of the town, the Northern Corries offer excellent summer and winter climbing. There are also routes on the CairnGorm itself as well as in the Loch A'an Basin and at Eagle Ridge, Lochnagar, on Royal Deeside. Active Outdoor Pursuits in Newtonmore supervise rock climbing and gorge scrambling in the central Highlands. Glenmore lodge is also a great place to get lessons. |
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There are plenty of easy walks on the Rothiemurchus Estate around Loch Morlich. Low level mountain routes on Laraigh Ghru are more challenging, while the adventurous hiker will find an expedition into the Loch A'an Basin. Speyside Way is one of four official Long Distance Routes in Scotland. Royal Deeside has a great deeside walking group. Both mountain-bikers and walkers visit Newtonmore for the Wildcat Trail . For planning any Aviemore and the Cairngorms National Park walk or hike check out Walking Highlands. For some real mountaineering guides check out Sandy Allans IFMGA guides at Team Ascent. |
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Highland Adventure offer the choice of two very different off road quad bike treks in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. Rothiemurchus also offer quad treks along forest and moorland tracks in the Aviemore area. Deeside activities park uses Honda quad bikes that are easy to master and provide safety gear, along with very experienced instructors. Bikes are available for 8 - 12 year olds, 12 - 16 year olds and over. The Lecht summer park also offers outdoor quad and carting. |
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Got kids between the ages of six and eleven? They'll love the 50cc mini quads at Craggan Outdoors. Landmark Forest Park is a fantastic place for kids and adults. Absolutely not to be missed. Magical forest walks include a walk through the tree tops and water slides. The Fun House at the Hilton Coylumbridge hotel is great for a rainy day. There is also a day-care centre and crèche. Working Sheepdogs is based on Leault Farm, Kincraig and is only 7 miles from Aviemore and great place for dog loving kids. Also the Cairngorms Huskies and Reindeer centre are a must. Also enjoy a great day out at the Highland Wildlife Park. Deeside Activity Park now offer a wide range of outdoor pursuits for children. Try out the great Inflatable Fun Factory and swimming pool flumes located in the MacDonald's resort in Aviemore. |
