Cairngorms by campervan
A beach-and-forest holiday in the Highlands, with one pitch for more than one night.
The trip we would build
Use Aviemore and Glenmore as a base rather than treating the national park as a road loop. Loch Morlich, woodland activities and a town café day are close enough to combine without repeatedly packing up. Dunkeld makes a worthwhile overnight on the way from Renfrew if you prefer a shorter collection-day drive.
Why choose it: Good for families who want activities and short outings; several lower-level alternatives to exposed hill routes.
The trade-off: The drive north is substantial, and a forest base does not make the mountain plateau an easy walk. Some familiar blog routes are currently closed.
Drive times and approach
| Leg | Planning allowance |
|---|---|
| Renfrew → Aviemore | Allow around 3 hours driving, before breaks |
| Aviemore → Glenmore | Allow 15–25 minutes |
Rounded planning allowances, not live traffic predictions. Add sightseeing, meal stops and ferry check-in separately.
Map of the area
Area markers show the stages of the trip. Follow each venue's directions for its entrance and parking.
How to spend your days
Day 1: Bakery and riverside approach
Break the journey at Dunkeld: ARAN Bakery supplies the picnic, with Invermill Farm as an overnight option. Continue north the following morning instead of arriving late and trying to fit in Loch Morlich.
Day 2: Stay put at Glenmore
Use Loch Morlich's shore and an open woodland route for the outdoor day. Allt Mor Café at Glenmore Visitor Centre is the nearby refreshment stop. A second Glenmore night leaves time for a booked Rothiemurchus activity without another campsite transfer.
Day 3: Aviemore town day
Ryvoan Café provides a named town food stop. Use this day for supplies and an activity that fits the conditions rather than automatically adding a summit.
Food worth fitting into the trip
- Allt Mor Café — At Glenmore Visitor Centre, useful for the Loch Morlich day.
- Ryvoan Café — An Aviemore meal stop; distinct from the Ryvoan walking route.
- ARAN Bakery — The Dunkeld approach stop.
Where we would base the van
- Glenmore Campsite — For several nights near Loch Morlich.
- Invermill Farm — For a shorter first driving day in Dunkeld.
What matters locally
The October 2026 forestry alert reports wildfire-related closures affecting Ryvoan Pass and An Lochan Uaine. Do not use an older walking account as evidence that those paths are open. High roads and exposed walks need a separate weather decision.