Landscapes and nature
Twice the size of the Lake District, the Cairngorms National Park has more mountains, forest paths, rivers, lochs, wildlife hotspots, friendly villages and distilleries than you can possibly imagine.
So you want to get away from it all? Looking for extraordinary things to do that will thrill you? The mighty, majestic Cairngorms National Park is the place for you.
The Cairngorms National Park can't wait to share the place they are so proud to call home with you again soon. #CairngormsTogether Get planning your trip on their website: Cairngorms National Park.
Mother Nature dealt the Cairngorms a hand full of aces. Five of the UK's six highest mountains lie inside the park, alongside 55 Munros - mountains over 3,000 ft - which can be found here too. There are huge forests of ancient native trees, cascading waterfalls, and more wildlife than you can image.
More people come to ski in the Cairngorms than at any other resort in the UK. Hillwalkers and rock-climbers will never run out of routes to try. There are oodles of top-class mountain-bike trails, cross-country skiing trails, pony treks and orienteering courses to get involved in whilst you're here. Should you be into husky racing? Well, you can do that here, too.
You can also enjoy some downtime amid the glorious scenery. Why not browse the bookshops and bars in Aviemore or make your way along the Malt Whisky Trail?
Don't miss the new Tomintoul & Glenlivet - Cairngorms Dark Sky Park, the most northerly Dark Sky Park in the world, and the darkest in the UK.
The Cairngorms National Park is huge, but from the bustling outdoor hub of Aviemore you could have all these adventures in just one day:
Where there are mountains there is usually water, and you'll find plenty of crashing waterfalls, rolling streams and hidden lochs to explore. Loch an Eilein is a jewel of a loch with a 13th century island castle. It has been voted Britain's Best Picnic Spot in a nationwide competition by Warburtons and the woodland path around its shores is suitable for motorised wheel chairs and off-road buggies.
The Cairngorm plateau is the highest, coldest and snowiest plateau in Britain. You can still see snow patches up here in the heat of summer, and in winter it is a place of savage beauty. The creatures that call this haven home have adapted to the harsh conditions - mountain hares, snow bunting, golden eagles, ptarmigan, capercaillie and wildcats all find shelter here amid the winter snows.
The Higgs boson has been making science headlines the world over in recent years. The inkling for this revolutionary idea popped into the head of physicist Peter Higgs while he was walking in the Cairngorms in 1964. So if you're looking for inspiration, come and walk through our wonderful hills and see what drops into your head!
The UK's lowest temperature of -27.2 ºC has twice been recorded in the Cairngorms, at Braemar in 1895 and 1982.
The highest British wind speed of 150 knots (173 mph or 278 km/h) was recorded on Cairngorm Summit.
The Cairngorms is where the majority of Scotland's wildcats call home.
Endangered and highly secretive, these fabulous felines are tricky to spot in the wild.
Happily you can see them close up at the Highland Wildlife Park near Kingussie.
Cairngorms National Park Authority
Things to see and do in the Cairngorms National Park
Listen to the first series of our podcast!
The Nature, Scenery & Landscape episode comes to you from the beautiful mountains, valleys and glens of the Cairngorms National Park.
