Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), drawn by Global Adventurer.
The hike
The walk starts at the small car park beside Laggantygown Cemetery, off the A95 between Aviemore and Boat of Garten, and goes round in a loop. A path leaves the car park and runs along the north shore of Loch Vaa, goes round the east end of the loch and comes back along the south shore to the car park.
It is 2.1 km (1.3 miles) with 6 m (20 ft) of ascent; allow about 40 minutes. The grade is Easy: the ground is flat and the paths are short.
The paths are informal, not a waymarked trail, and other paths and tracks lead off through the forest, so keep the loch beside you. A Cairngorms National Park byelaw bans fires and barbecues from 1 April to 30 September.
OpenStreetMap has no fee tag on the car park.
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.
Good to know
- A loop round Loch Vaa, a quiet loch set among pines and birches just off the A95, on woodland paths
- Informal woodland paths rather than a waymarked trail
- Flat and short: about 2 km round
- The start is beside Laggantygown Cemetery
Getting there
Start: Loch Vaa car park, Laggantygown. 57.23457, -3.80682
Directions to the start
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Loch Vaa car park: Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line is drawn along OpenStreetMap paths and the figures are worked out from it; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.
