What's here? at Loch Garten, Abernethy
Available on site
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
For further access information please check our AccessAble guide.
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.
For further access information please check our AccessAble guide.
You can borrow a manual assisted wheelchair from the Nature Centre welcome kiosk. We recommend you contact us to book this in advance.
Accessible all gender composting toilet with child-friendly seat and baby changing facilities.
For further accessibility information please see our AccessAble guide.
The main entrance/exit to the centre is step-free and access around the centre itself is all on one level.
There is wooden seating in the Centre.
Spotlight lighting.
Written information.
Mobile hearing loop available.
Staff always present during opening hours.
Two wooden picnic benches at the Nature Centre. One with a designated wheelchair bay, and several garden benches.
Binocular Hire
Guided Walks
The Nature Centre overlooks the forest, feeders and osprey nest. Live and recorded CCTV images of local wildlife. Fixed binoculars and telescopes at various heights. No hearing loop, but staff give regular oral presentations. Benches are available at viewpoints. the surface is mostly compacted forest floor, some hardcore sections.
Find our downloadable trail maps below, to help you plan your visit.
Nature Trail - This wide, level path leads from the car park to the welcome kiosk with an incline up to the Nature Centre.
Big Pines Trail - 1.6km (1 mile) there-and-back. This path is about 1 metre wide with some passing places. It has a mainly firm surface with some loose stones and
uneven sections.
This trail features some of the biggest Scots Pines on the nature reserve and some fabulous bits of dead wood, which support many species and is vital for a healthy forest. There might be Great Spotted Woodpeckers and Crested Tits flitting between the trees, and in July and August look for the delicate flowers of the Creeping Ladies Tresses Orchids.
Two Lochs Trail - 2.7 km (1.7 miles) loop walk. A mainly wide and firm path with some loose stones and uneven areas.
Take a peaceful stroll through towering Scots Pine trees and enjoy the vista from two beautiful viewpoints. The first overlooking Loch Garten and the second allows you to enjoy the tranquil delights of Loch Mallachie. You might be able to spot Goldeneyes and Greylag Geese on the lochs and Crossbills, Crested Tits and Red Squirrels in the tree canopy.
The start point of this trail can be accessed from the Loch Mallachie Car Park, or if you’ve come along the Big Pines Trail, simply cross the road to the start of the trail at the car park..
There are benches and places to perch along the trail and at the two viewpoints.
RSPB Community Education Officer available for pre-booked pre-school, school and college groups.
All sessions are tailored to suit your needs and are Curriculum for Excellence linked. Our Community Education Officer can plan and deliver Curriculum for Excellence linked activities to suit your class’s requirements. All visits are risk assessed.
Charges are £2 per child, accompanying adults are free.
We also welcome pre-booked group visits to the Nature Centre and will happily provide a video presentation and wildlife interpretation to suit your group. All sessions are risk assessed.
Ten 'Sheffield-type' bicycle stands (space for 20 bikes)
Not available on site
BBQ's are a fire risk, endangering other people and the precious wildlife and habitats here. BBQ's and fires are not permitted on this reserve at any time.
Restrictions
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.