This is a nice walk which can be shortened considerably if you decide to go up Farleitter Crag directly, which if doing the full loop, comes at the end of the circuit.It’s a popular family walk as is the short steep pull up the good path to the summit where the best views are to be had.
I can attest to the ‘family friendly’ nature as we most recently did the whole hike with my three year old grandson on his bike and his 9 month old brother in a (fairly robust) buggy.Took us a while! The walk is certainly possible for buggies with just one slightly awkward section where a bit of lifting over tree roots on a bit of an angle, is required.The wee bike was ditched and hidden in the forest for the final push up onto the top of the crag.
The walk is just over 3miles/5km in total for the whole circuit and should take around 1.5 -2hrs though it does depend on walking pace. Doing Farleitter Crag only will half that distance at least.
The car park is accessed off the road that goes up Glen Feshie on the west side.We usually access it via Kincraig and Loch Insch. Walkhighlands excellent website provides a good map:
https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/maps/map2_19cg.shtml
The free parking area lies at the end of a rougher track to the right ,off the Glen Feshie road.
I’m not a huge fan of endless forestry walking so this hike provides more open views on the largely flattish trail round the lochans. We were lucky to spot a pair of Red Throated Divers on our first explore of the area.They were on the largest loch , to our right as we crossed a section of boardwalk.Always fantastic to see these wild, gorgeous birds though my photo is rubbish, very out of focus – the red throat however is definitely visible.
In many ways, the loveliest lochan view comes very early in the walk as there is a nice backdrop of the mountains.
The paths are excellent all the way…
…apart from a slightly rougher, tree rooted section for a short way, around the largest lochan.
Once you follow the full circuit and arrive at the main forest path again, a left turn and a short uphill hike leads to an obvious path on the right which heads up to the summit.This is also quite short and the buggy made it fine.Good path.
The images below were taken in April…I took so many but it IS a really lovely view, typical Cairngorm.
Once at the top of this section, there are several steep ups and downs around the actual summit but with wonderful views opening up to reward this final effort.
It would be nice if there was a bench to sit and gather round but unfortunately there isn’t.We just spread out waterproofs and sat at the side of the path to have our lunch.
Chris and I, on our first explore of the circuit, did the even longer loop which essentially takes you right round the crag on a different path and arrives back at the car park.It was mostly forestry walking but there were some wider views to the Monadliath mountains which sit to the west of Aviemore, opposite the main Massif.
The whole Glen Feshie is a beautiful area and always feels much quieter than around Aviemore and Rothiemurchus.Certainly a walk we will do again and again when in the area.
annestravelsandhikes.com 