Loch Einich by Gleann Einich from Whitewell

The walk starts at the Whitewell car park in Rothiemurchus and goes out and back. A track leads south-east through the pinewood, then a path and the long estate track follow Gleann Einich south, climbing gently for most of the way. The track crosses the glen's burns by fords and by one bridge, and ends at the foot of Loch Einich, 10 km from the car park, where it fords the outflow to follow the shore. The walk turns back at the water's edge, with the cliffs of Sgòr Gaoith rising on the far side of the loch. Return the same way.

It is 20.2 km with 256 m of ascent; allow about 5½ hours. The grade is Hard because of the distance: the way is easy underfoot, but it is a long way in and a long way out.

The burns crossed by fords can be hard to cross after heavy rain or snowmelt, which can make the return difficult. The Heading for the Scottish Hills table lists Rothiemurchus stalking from late September to 20 October, none on Sundays, and says the main track up Gleann Einich to the loch is always fine to use. From April to mid-August keep dogs on a short lead in the pinewood where signs ask, because capercaillie nest on the ground.

The Whitewell car park is small (OpenStreetMap lists room for a handful of cars), so arrive early. Aviemore station is about 4 km away.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.