This walk begins at the car park at Loch Garten, about 0.8 kilometres from the RSPB Osprey Centre (alternative car parking is available there) and can be combined with a visit to the centre. The walk passes both Loch Garten and the smaller Loch Mallachie, both of which offer wonderful views. It continues in a large loop through mature Scots pine and birch forest, with the potential for good birdwatching opportunities, including the localised Scottish crossbill and crested tit. The walk reaches a smaller car park (Garten Wood) at roughly midway, which can be used as an alternative starting point.

A section of the walk from the car park is now part of the Speyside Way (Nethy Bridge to Boat of Garten section). Paths are generally good, although often muddy in places and navigation is straightforward, although the waymarking can be a little confusing. There are three waymarked trails in all, of 2.7, 3.2 and 6.2 kilometres respectively, each with a coloured waymark. The Speyside Way section is also waymarked with the Scottish long-distance path mark (a thistle). The walk is part of the RSPB Abernethy Forest Reserve and access is open all year (the nearby Osprey Centre is open from May to September).

Scotland - Highland - Strathspey

View a road map to the starting point of this walk.