[1] Like many villages in the Highlands, Aviemore began to grow with the arrival of the railway in the 1800s. But even in the preceding centuries, the village was a major through route for travellers, hence its translation from Gaelic as ‘The Big Pass’. Today, Aviemore is a significant centre for outdoor activities and a great base to explore the Cairngorms National Park. From Aviemore railway station, turn left and walk south through Aviemore along Grampian Road (B9152). Once away from the town centre, turn right onto a road (NN894119) signposted for the youth hostel, Catholic church and Craigellachie National Nature Reserve. This minor road climbs by the hostel and church onto a broad woodland path. Follow this down to a fork, go left through an underpass beneath the A9 into Craigellachie (NN891120).
[2] The path climbs gently into the stunning birch woodland. At a fork, go right and walk to reach the first birch pool, Loch Puladdern (NN891121). Bear left to follow the path around the loch’s left edge then continue away from the loch, alongside a burn to the right. The path veers left to a junction. Turn right here, where another path continues underneath the wooded slopes of Craigellachie. Follow this to a path on the left and take this to a waymark. Turn right onto a narrow path, which climbs gently to reach the second birch pool (NN887123).
[3] Bear right at the next waymark, cross a burn by stepping stones then walk around to the right of the loch, relishing the landscape. Once away from the loch, a wider stony path is reached (NN888125).
[4] Turn left and climb steadily through birch woodland towards the steep crags of Craigellachie. Keep straight on by a path on the left (the return route) and continue to climb. The path soon zigzags steeply underneath the crags, with great views opening out towards the Cairngorms and north along the River Spey. The path then veers left and climbs a flight of steps to gain a wonderful viewpoint over Aviemore towards the Cairngorms and down over Craigellachie National Nature Reserve. The neighbouring hillsides are swathed in woodland. The well-maintained path then continues south over a series of undulations, passing a cairn, onto Craigellachie’s 493m/1,620ft summit (NN881123).
[5] Retrace your steps back to the path passed on the way up (NN887125). Turn right and follow this narrow path southwest then south, traversing the lower slopes of Craigellachie and above the second of the birch pools. Descend gently (with some great views over Aviemore), eventually reaching a junction. Go right and drop down the well-maintained path to reach another junction near Loch Puladdern. Bear right and walk back down to the outward-bound path. Go right here and retrace your steps back under the A9 and past the youth hostel to Aviemore. Turn left onto Grampian Road back to the train station.