10 Hidden Gems Things to do in Aviemore That You Shouldn't Miss

The UK's first Zip Trek Park,Zip Slide through the stunning scenery of the Scottish Highlands near Aviemore on Zip wires, passing magnificent Scot's Pines and seeing nature at its best. With over 2km of zip wires to blast around on you will start at the top of a beautiful gorge and zip line all the way to the bottom going from one zip slide to another under the safety of our zip instructors.

We provide hiking and mountain biking tours across the Highlands of Scotland, but often based in the Cairngorms National park where we have our own home base at Fraoch Lodge. We offer day hikes and camping trips all year round, and also skills courses if you are not so confident about heading out into the hills on your own. We often combine hiking tours with more cultural activities like visiting a distillery or Loch Ness.

This picturesque championship golf course is one of the best known courses in the Scottish Highlands.

Hidden in the forest of Rothiemurchus, this beautiful place is one of the most loved in the UK. Loch an Eilein (loch of the island) with its 13th century island castle, was voted Britain's Best Picnic Spot. Step back in time and retrace the steps of the Highland cattle raiders as you enjoy views of the dramatic and mysterious Highland castle and enjoy the exceptional wildlife of this forest particularly the Red Squirrels and Scottish Crossbills. You can enjoy some of the best low level walking in Scotland. Sheltered by ancient pine trees with views of the mountains, the path around the loch is suitable for motorised wheel chairs, off road buggies and is part of the Rothiemurchus way marked network of paths.

The hills are turning green, the sun is mostly shining and spring is here to stay! Take a visit to see Britain’s only free-ranging herd of reindeer in their natural habitat. May is an exciting time for us reindeer herders as antlers are beginning to grow and it is calving season! From May, Trips go daily at 11am and 2.30pm - follow a reindeer herder as you make your way up to the mountain enclosure & walk amongst reindeer as the herder tells you more about them. Situated in the Centre of the Cairngorms National Park, you will also enjoy beautiful views of the mountains. The walk takes around 20 mins each way & will cross some rough and muddy ground on the mountainside so make sure you’ve got sturdy footwear & nice cosy layers, plus waterproofs! Please make sure you book online via our website (up to 30 days ahead) and arrive in good time for your chosen visit. For those less able, from Easter, you can visit a small group of reindeer in the Paddock & Exhibition at the Centre.

RSPB Loch Garten Nature Centre is currently closed for the off-season. We are under-going an exciting redevelopment & wil re-open in April 2020. Loch Garten is part of RSPB Abernethy reserve & the centre is in stunning Caledonian pineforest, a short walk from the shores of beautiful Loch Garten. Open every day from April 1 to the end of October - the rest of the reserve opens all year round. With binoculars & telescopes to view the ospreys & other wildlife; hi-def CCTV giving close up views of the ospreys; red squirrels & small birds at our feeders; outdoor & indoor nature activites for children; updated interpretation & an enthusiastic team to help you make the most of your visit. The shop sells binoculars & telescopes, books, toys, hot & cold drinks, sandwiches,ice creams & snacks. Two beautiful woodland walks take you through magnificent pine forest to tranquil Loch Garten & Loch Mallachie - accessed from the Nature Centre car park & from the nearby Loch Mallachie car park.