Green Loch Aviemore Walk

3.2 miles (5.2 km)

The Green Loch is one of those places that looks almost unreal when you first see it, and this is a lovely walk through the ancient woodland of Glenmore Forest Park to reach it. The combination of the pine forest, mountain scenery and unusually coloured water makes this a particularly memorable walk, and it's easy to see why An Lochan Uaine has become one of the area's most popular beauty spots.
We did the walk on a bright day when the woodland was looking particularly beautiful, with sunlight filtering through the trees and plenty of greenery along the paths. The light also made a noticeable difference to the colour of the loch. Depending on the conditions, the water can appear anything from green to a striking turquoise, which makes the viewing platform beside the loch a good place to stop and take some photographs.
The walk starts from the visitor centre in Glenmore and heads into the woodland, following trails through the ancient Caledonian pine forest. The first section is particularly peaceful, with the trees opening up occasionally to give glimpses towards the surrounding Cairngorms. As the path climbs towards the loch, the character of the walk changes and there are some rougher sections underfoot, but the gradual approach through the forest makes reaching the water feel like a proper little adventure.

Eventually the trees give way to An Lochan Uaine, or the Green Loch, and it's a lovely sight when the water is showing its distinctive colour. There are paths down towards the shore and a wooden viewing platform overlooking the loch, giving you several different perspectives. Local folklore gives the loch its alternative name of the Faerie Loch, with the green colour traditionally said to have come from fairies washing their clothes in the water.
I also enjoyed continuing towards Ryvoan Pass, where the scenery becomes more open and there are some excellent views back down the glen. The optional detour to Ryvoan Bothy is well worth considering, adding another interesting destination to the walk. The bothy sits at roughly the head of the pass and makes a fascinating little stopping point surrounded by the mountains and woodland.
The return takes you back towards the Green Loch before descending along the main path through the forest. There is also the option of extending the walk around Loch Morlich, while Aviemore is only a short distance away if you want to make a longer day of exploring the area.
What I like about this walk is that the Green Loch isn't the only attraction. The ancient pine woodland, the changing views, the unusual colour of the water and the remote feel of Ryvoan Pass all add something to the experience. It's a relatively short walk, but it gives you a surprisingly good taste of the Cairngorm landscape.