Days out
Loch Garten, Abernethy
Mains of GartenOpenSee opening timesLook out for Red Squirrels scampering up trees and listen for the trill of Crested Tits as you explore the magical Caledonian forest. Visit our Nature Centre before heading out for great views over the loch.
About
The wildlife-rich Caledonian pineforest of Loch Garten and Abernethy is like no other forest in the UK. Huge, Gnarled, lichen-encrusted Scots pine trees flank the land, interspersed with Blaeberry, Juniper, Rowan, Birch and Heather.
Visit during spring and summer and spot breeding Osprey, Crested Tits, Red Squirrels, Bank Voles, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Siskins and Common Lizards among the Caledonian forest wildlife.
On warm summer days, look out for dragonflies and damselflies, including White Faced-darter and Four-spotted Chaser. On the forest floor,wood ants nests contain up to 250,000 ants – some of our nests are a metre tall.
At dusk, the arrival of Wild Greylag and Pink-footed Geese on Loch Garten is an exhilarating display in autumn and winter. You can also feed coal tits from your hand outside the Nature Centre. You’ll be delighted at how feather-light they are and how their claws tickle.
The Nature Centre is now closed for the season but as always our trails are open for you to enjoy this amazing forest.
Download our trail map, to help you plan your visit.
At a glance
Help to protect this special place by only parking in dedicated areas. Parking on verges causes an obstruction and damages this amazing forest.
- 52 spaces.
- 3 Blue Badge spaces.
- Capacity for one coach.
- Free parking.
- Natural lighting only.
- No height restrictions.
- Ten 'Sheffield-type' bicycle stands (space for 20 bikes)
- Drop-off at the Centre can be arranged for those with mobility problems.
Accessible all gender composting toilet with child-friendly seat and baby changing facilities.
Located in accessible toilet.
The track up to the centre is 250m, compacted hard surface, with slight inclines.
The track up to the centre is 250m, compacted hard surface, with slight inclines.
Accessible all gender composting toilet with child-friendly seat and baby changing facilities.
BBQs are a fire risk, endangering other people and the precious wildlife and habitats here. They are not permitted on the reserve at any time.
Between April 1 and August 31 you must keep dogs on a lead to protect ground-nesting birds, including capercaillie in the forest and dotterel on the high tops. Please keep dogs away from the loch during spring and summer, as it contains breeding birds. Dogs are not permitted at the Nature Centre, except assistance dogs.
Assistance dogs are welcome in all parts of the reserve.
See what’s here
Save nature while you staycation
Holidaycottages.co.uk is working with the RSPB to restore UK woodland for future generations to enjoy. Every booking with Holidaycottages.co.uk supports woodland restoration projects at key RSPB reserves around the country, protecting the wildlife that makes the UK an extraordinary place for a holiday.
New to Holidaycottages.co.uk portfolio of handpicked self-catering holiday cottages is the Showcase Collection: Near RSPB Reserves. At these extraordinary homes, immerse yourself in the diverse landscapes of RSPB reserves and get up close to some of the UK’s most cherished native wildlife.
Contact Loch Garten, Abernethy
abernethy@rspb.org.uk Abernethy National Nature Reserve, Forest Lodge, Nethy Bridge, Highland, PH25 3EF 01479 821409 01479 831476