Boat of Garten Way Marked Village Walks.

The Community Council’s Millennium Project was the setting up of a network of way-marked footpaths in and around the village.

The paths have been there for as long as anyone remembers, but, for visitors in particular, the prospect of setting off into the woods with no map or directions was somewhat daunting. So the situation has now been formalised with sign posting and a map with directions and information.

The map is available for purchase at local shops and hotels.

• Walk 1

  

  For a summer evening’s stroll or a short winter’s walk, there are paths in the Pine and Birch woods beside the village. Where, as well as the fine viewpoint of "The Craigie" looking out to the Kincardine Hills and Cairngorm Mountains, you will find the Old "Fairy Hill" hidden among the trees which has been opened up for a wider perspective of the stunning view, with a bench for peaceful contemplation.

• Walk 2

  A slightly longer walk of around 4 km is that along the Kinchurdy Road, with its fine houses built in the railways original hey-days, turning left at the end of the road, down through lovely woodland, crossing the Strathspey Railway line towards the River Spey, and then back along the track between the golf course and the river, past the old farmhouse of Wester Dalvoult, now modernised.

• Walk 3

  Longer again – about 10 km altogether – is the walk (or cycle) from the village using the footpath laid down for the Speyside Way, towards Aviemore, along a forestry track to an archaeological site set on open moorland with wonderful views across to the Cairngorms – a lovely spot for a picnic lunch.

• Walk 4

  

  A pleasant all-abilities walk around the regenerated and re-landscaped old village tip gives views of Milton Loch and its bird life.

Extended Walks

Apart from these immediately local walks, there are longer routes, also suitable for cycling, connecting Boat of Garten with the surrounding settlements of Aviemore, Nethy Bridge and Carrbridge, which all have their own footpath networks.

For access to Aviemore and Nethy Bridge, a bonus is to use the Strathspey Railway for the outward or return journey, thereby combining a delightful walk with the scenic views provided by the railway.

The connection with Carrbridge is a Sustrans Cycle Route part of a nationwide network from the south coast of England to Shetland, further information on this can be found at http://www.sustrans.org