Visit Cairngorms National Park

The Cairngorms National Park officially opened on the 1st of September 2003. It is Scotland's second national park, and the U.K's largest at 3800 square kilometres (1400 square miles).

The UK's premier ski school and the only official ski school based on Cairngorm Mountain

Known as 'A Natural High' - if you're looking for true inspiration, enjoyment and fun here is probably Scotland's greatest mountain experience. The mountains hold a fascination for everyone so let Cairngorm be your unforgettable mountain memory.

Enjoy the highest mountain railway in the UK and the only one in Scotland. It will carry visitors in total comfort (protected from the infamous Scottish weather!) from car park level to the new Ptarmigan Station and the higher lying snowfields in around fifteen minutes. And nestled just below the summit of CairnGorm the brand new Ptarmigan Station offers spectacular views combined with a mountain exhibition and the highest panoramic restaurant and shopping in the UK.

Offical Website - www.cairngormmountain.com

Cairngorms Natioanl Park stretches from Grantown on Spey to the heads of the Angus Glens, from Ballater to Dalwhinnie and Drumochter including much of the Laggan area in the southwest and a large area of the Glen Livet estate and the Strathdon/Glen Buchat area. Home to 46 Munros (mountains over 3000 feet high) and some of Scotland’s cleanest rivers.

The National Park area is home to a quarter of Scotland's native woodland with the biggest continuous stretches of near-natural vegetation in Britain. It is a refuge for a host of rare plants and creatures, including 25% of the U.K's threatened species.

The Cairngorm mountain range stretches for 50 miles with almost 50 peaks over 3000 feet and several others rising over 4000 feet high. The Cairngorm plateau is a vast featureless stoney desert (which is a unique example in this country of a sub-arctic ecosystem). Three of Scotland's best hill passes go through here leading to semi-permanent snowfields, which can persist into the summer months, remnants of the ancient natural Caledonian Forest and features carved out by the last Ice Age.

For over 100 years, the Cairngorms have been recognised as one of the finest year-round sport and recreational playgrounds in the world. During this period the sheer beauty of scale, landscape and climate have been enjoyed by millions of outdoor enthusiasts. From exhilarating skiing and snowboarding, to orienteering, superb Munro bagging and fantastic mixed high and low level walking of all grades. A safe environment, with tuition available for many sports, and or course equipment hire.

Back to our local area home page

Images and scenes of Cairngorms National Park

More about the Cairngorms, and Cairngorm Moumtain

Out top 10 things to do in Cairngorms National Park

Out top 10 places to visit in Cairngorms National Park

Out top 10 family attractions and days out in Cairngorms National Park

Some great touring ideas