Community run cafe near Loch Morlich now open. Perfect spot to start a walk with coffee and stunning views.
This spot is popular, situated close to Loch Morlich’s beach. The Cairngorms mountains loom above, and a path to Meall a’ Bhuachaille starts at the car park’s back. You can walk through trees to Loch Morlich’s nice sandy beach.
The Aviemore and Glenmore Community Trust runs the cafe daily between 10 AM and 4 PM. They hope to upgrade the visitor center in phases by raising money through crowdfunding.
Many trails start here, making it great for outings, and fresh coffee is available! If you park here, donate to the crowdfunder using the QR codes and links in the car park. The cafe should stay open later, some people think, as many want coffee and cake after afternoon walks.
The author learned a lesson, as it took all morning to rally the family. They arrived well after lunchtime, so the author got takeaway coffees before they started walking. The cafe has more space and a cozy wood stove. Some cakes looked tasty, but the author had sandwiches for their winter walk.
The Northern Corries are visible from the Loch Morlich car park. The family chose the Loch Morlich circuit because they did not have time for Meall a’ Bhuachaille.
They headed to the beach and crossed the ski road. They followed signs through the beach car park and walked through trees to the loch. Some people braved a cold-water dip, while others walked on the sand, with the Northern Corries as a magnificent backdrop.
Usually, the mountains are snowy this time of year, but the snow is patchy, another sign of climate change. Anyone going up there needs winter gear and skills to handle the conditions.
The children played among old Scots pines, and the author told them to move along. The path leaves the loch and reaches a stream, then turns left to a bridge.
They crossed the Abhainn Ruigh-eunachan, which feeds Loch Morlich from the Cairngorms, and followed the red waymarked route straight ahead. The route soon turns left, then right, and returns towards the loch’s southeastern corner. You then climb a short, steep hill to a forestry track.
Turn right to follow the track, which runs along the loch’s southern edge. The path is mostly high above the water, and benches offer a spot to rest, where a friendly robin wanted crumbs.
They saw ice lensing on parts of the track, which is water in the soil freezing as it travels upwards, making thin layers of ice. This can damage roads and structures, and the track’s sides crumbled because of the ice.
Keep right where tracks branch left and cross a bridge by a ford, which is fun to bike through. Continue on a smaller path through the trees.
Reaching a metal gate, join a vehicle track. Look left to the Lairig Ghru, then turn right towards the Glenmore road. Cross Loch Morlich’s outflow on a bridge to Rothiemurchus Lodge.
Turn right and follow red markers, walking along the loch toward a car park. The beach views the Northern Corries, and picnic tables provide a nice place to stop. The markers lead you to the Old Logging Way, this path linking Aviemore and Glenmore.
Turn right and follow the Old Logging Way back. At the youth hostel, follow the road uphill, climbing up behind the building, then descending to the visitor center car park.
Maybe you’ll have time for coffee and cake that day! The Loch Morlich loop is 4.5 miles, or 7 km. The terrain includes paths and tracks, sometimes muddy, and it starts and ends at Glenmore cafe. The map reference is OS Landranger 36 or OS Explorer OL57. It’s a classic walk with beach, forest, and mountain views.