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Loch Morlich Beach

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Latest forest information

  • Do not light fires or BBQs. If you need to cook, use a gas stove.
  • No overnight parking. Please plan ahead and book a campsite.
  • Park responsibly in designated bays and do not block access for emergency vehicles.

Open water

  • This destination contains areas of open water which can be hazardous if you are not suitably prepared. Follow our water safety advice and take care.

About

Watersports and walking at the highest beach in Britain

Families play games on the sand, windsurfers tack across the clean water, and when the sun shines you can top up your tan. Close your eyes and you could be at the seaside! Famous for being the highest beach in Britain, this is the only freshwater beach in Scotland to have a Rural Beach Award.

Walking trails

Glenmore Forest Park route card (PDF)

Walking

Beach Trail

Meander through the beautiful pine, birch and alder woods by the Allt Mor burn and Loch Morlich’s golden sands.

Mostly wide, smooth gravel path with section following smooth roadside pavement. Some short moderate slopes.

Easy trail grade icon grade icon
1 ½ miles / 2.4 km

Allow 1 hour

More information

The coarse, pink sand of Loch Morlich's popular beach comes from the granite of the Cairngorm mountains, ground down by glaciers and rivers over thousands of years.

A loch with beach and rocks in the foreground

Walking

Loch Morlich Trail

A charming circuit round the water, with fine views of the mountains above and a good chance of seeing Goldeneye, red-throated divers and even otters.

Mostly wide, smooth and flat gravel surface. Some uneven gravel sections, with potentially muddy areas. Short moderate slopes and one steep ramp. Includes two road crossings.

Moderate trail grade icon grade icon
3 ½ miles / 5.8 km

Allow 2 hours

More information

Winding through Forestry Commission land, with the loch shining through the trees, this trail gives you a real experience of the great swathe of woodland that washes against the slopes of the Cairngorms. Look out for dippers, wagtails and herons by the burns that feed the loch along the way.

Activities

Fun on the water

If you’d like to try zipping across the waves, you can hire boats, canoes or windsurfers at Loch Morlich Watersports. They’ll teach you how to use them too.

Just a little way from the beach, the trails offer peace, quiet, and a forest alive with birds and animals. Come early in the morning and watch for birds like sandpipers and herons, or otters hunting along the streams that feed the loch.

Camping at Glenmore

Looking for somewhere to stay? Get a pitch at Glenmore campsite.

Facilities and access

Walking
Walking
Easy-access facilities
Easy-access facilities
Parking (charge)
Parking (charge)
Picnic area
Picnic area
Toilets
Toilets

Public toilets are available 24 hours at Loch Morlich Beach car park (Easter- 31 October) and in Glenmore village (year round).

No camping is allowed within the car park area. Fires and barbecues are not permitted anywhere at this site. For more information on best practice in the outdoors, visit the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

Visitors are welcome to use non-motorised crafts on Loch Morlich. Crafts which are propelled by a motor rather than the user or the wind, such as e-foils, are not permitted here.

Car parking information

Payment options: coin or RingGo

Tickets bought at any machine in the Glenmore Forest Park are valid in all our other car parks in Glenmore. The charges to park at Loch Morlich Beach are:

  • £2 for up to 1 hour
  • £3 for up to 3 hours
  • £4 for all day (vehicles up to 7 seats)
  • £12 for minibus or coach all day 
  • Blue Badge holders park for free. Please display your badge clearly

Please park with care and consideration. In particular please park in designated parking areas only and do not block entrances or gates. Nearby car parks with free parking can be found in our local forest list without the £ symbol. 

The nearest 'pay by card' car park ticket machine is located near the front door of the Glenmore Visitor Centre. Car Parking tickets bought at any machine are valid in all Forestry and Land Scotland Car Parks in Glenmore Forest Park.

Annual parking pass available:

Available in advance by downloading the relevant application form and emailing to the Regional Office. Please read our Annual Pass terms and conditions before applying.

Glenmore Car Park Pass - £40 per car and £100 per mini-bus or coach
FLS National Car Park Pass - £100 per car and £150 per mini bus or coach

Valid at all Forestry and Land Scotland car parks except Tentsmuir.

FLS National Pass application form

More parking info

Accessibility

The logo for Euan's Guide, indicating that we're listed there, with disabled access reviews

Getting here

From the roundabout at the south end of Aviemore follow the signs for 'The Cairngorms' for 6 miles. Stay on the main road passing the first car park at Loch Morlich, continuing on to the far end of the loch. A sign for 'Loch Morlich Watersports' marks the entrance to Loch Morlich Beach.

You can cycle here from Aviemore on the Old Logging Way; a superb, safe bike route that runs for 6 miles between Aviemore and the Glenmore Forest Park Visitor Centre.

Using SatNav?

PH22 1QU is the nearest postcode.

Public transport

Buses between Aviemore and the Cairngorm Mountain ski centre pass Loch Morlich Beach. Plan your journey at Traveline Scotland.

Get directions

Get in touch

Have a question or suggestion for improvement?

Phone
0300 067 6100 (option 1)
More contact information

Nearby forests

Drooping conifer branch

The essential starting point for your visit to Glenmore

Facilities and activities
Mountain access
Mountain access
Cycling
Cycling
Walking
Walking
Toilets
Toilets
Parking (charge)
Parking (charge)
Visitor centre
Visitor centre
Easy-access facilities
Easy-access facilities
Cafe or refreshments
Cafe or refreshments
Distance from 'Glenmore Visitor Centre': 0.31 miles
Drooping conifer branch

Ancient pine trees, dragonflies and wood ants

Facilities and activities
Walking
Walking
Parking (charge)
Parking (charge)
Picnic area
Picnic area
Distance from 'Hayfield': 0.66 miles
Drooping conifer branch

A wonderful mix of tall pine, heather and blueberry

Facilities and activities
Walking
Walking
Parking (charge)
Parking (charge)
Picnic area
Picnic area
Distance from 'Allt Mor': 0.75 miles