Lochan Uaine and Ryvoan Bothy loop — Cairngorms National Park
Lochan Uaine and Ryvoan Bothy loop — Cairngorms National Park
4.7
(131)
700
hikers
Lochan Uaine and Ryvoan Bothy loop — Cairngorms National Park
02:14
8.26km
110m
Hiking
Embark on the Lochan Uaine and Ryvoan Bothy loop, a moderate hike covering 5.1 miles (8.3 km) with 371 feet (113 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking 2 hours and 14 minutes. You will wind through forests, mountains, and moorland, experiencing a gentle climb along the lower slopes of Meall a' Bhuachaille. The highlight is An Lochan Uaine, also known as "The Green Loch," famous for its striking turquoise water, surrounded by ancient Scots pines. Be prepared for a slightly steep and rugged section on the descent to the loch.
Good walking shoes are recommended to support you on the varied terrain, which includes accessible paths, unpaved sections, and gravel tracks. This popular route is generally considered suitable for most skill levels, offering a picturesque experience in the Cairngorms National Park. You can also find refuge at Ryvoan Bothy, a classic Scottish shelter with a stove and sleeping benches, making it a convenient stop.
This trail is rich in history, following part of the ancient "Thieves' Road" once used by cattle raiders in the 17th century. The distinctive green hue of An Lochan Uaine is attributed by legend to pixies washing their clothes, though scientific explanations point to algae or mineral particles. The route also passes through Glenmore Forest Park, an area with a past of timber extraction and even a training ground for Norwegian resistance fighters during WWII.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Tips
Your route passes through protected areas
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Waypoints
Start point
Parking
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2.96 km
An Lochan Uaine (The Green Loch)
Highlight • Lake
Tip by
4.02 km
Ryvoan Bothy
Highlight • Mountain Hut
There's a beautiful poem on the door by AM Lawrence, a poet from Burgh by Sands in Cumbria. The piece is called 'I Leave Tonight from Euston' and encapsulates the thrill of leaving civilisation to seek out wild places, such as those we find in the Cairngorms.
Tip by
7.08 km
Glenmore Lodge
Highlight • Rest Area
Tip by
8.26 km
End point
Parking
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
6.76 km
946 m
468 m
< 100 m
Surfaces
3.11 km
2.94 km
2.12 km
< 100 m
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Elevation
Highest point (410 m)
Lowest point (330 m)
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Weather
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Tuesday 5 May
3°C
-6°C
14 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 13.0 km/h
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This route was planned by komoot.
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Trail Reviews
A beautiful walk through woodland up to Lochan Uaine (Green Lake). Stunning scenery. A nice little extension to have a look at Ryvoan Bothy. A must-do walk!
Glorious afternoon walk up to An Lochan Uaine and Ryvoan Bothy from Glenmore. Stunning scenery and Becky's first visit to a bothy! Loop back down the Old Logging Way past Glenmore Lodge for the perfect finish at the Pine Marten Bar 🍹
When we arrived in Aviemore, our daughter Neeltje searched for the place on TikTok and found videos of Loch Green. He looked good. So why not pay him a visit? However, when I searched for it on Komoot, Wikipedia and my favorite search engine, I found places on the west coast of Scotland. That's a bit far. Don't know how my wife managed it, she figured out the Scottish Gaelic name 'An Lochan Uaine'. It could also be found in Komoot and is located in the Cairngorm Mountains, not far from Aviemore. The path started out a bit boring with a "highway for hikers", but soon became narrower, rockier, more difficult and much more beautiful. I couldn't stop taking photos. One motif after the other fascinated me. The trees, roots, mountains and heathland always offered new fascination. Here the journey was definitely part of the goal. The lake itself is a small mountain lake. The Scottish Gaelic name means "green pond". According to local legends, fairies wash their green clothes in the lake, which turns it green. Neeltje lay down on its bank against a tree trunk to fully absorb the beauty and legends. My wife and I hiked a kilometer further to a "Bothy", i.e. to a shelter. Now I have an idea. @Caro "Bandit" had sometimes written about it while hiking through Scotland from coast to coast https://www.komoot.de/collection/2235726/coast-to-coast-oban-nach-montrose-tgo-challenge-2023 Of course we picked up our daughter on the way back. We chose a different, easier way for the “descent”. Neeltje then said about the easier way that she had wondered how the lake could end up on TikTok. She couldn't imagine that a TikToker would go the somewhat more demanding way of the Hintour.
Parking very limited at Glenmore Lodge. If you want easier route which is bike friendly don't go straight up hill through forest just follow road past the lodge.
This walk is the Ryvoan Trail from the Glenmore park visitor center to which we have added another walk through the park to Loch Morlich and the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre.