Posts for April, 2023

Come and join the Ballater Walking Festival. We have 3 or 4 walks a day, from Strenuous uphill routes , Moderate walks, Easy walks and walks of Special Interest. The walks start on Sunday 4th June and are every day until and including Friday 9th June. Walkers meet in Ballater at the hut on the green in the centre of the village , usually at 8am (Strenuous), 9am (Moderate) and 10am for the Easy and Special Interest walks. Friendly and informative leaders.
There is also a programme of evening events – a reception, an informative talk about the future of the Cairngorm National Park, and a Ceilidh on the Friday night. These events are free to walkers. We also have a dinner in the middle of the week.
The event is run by a volunteer committee, who would be very happy to welcome you to our friendly festival. Places are still available, so please go on our website, book your walks, and we shall see you in June.

If you’re a couple looking for a ready-made, full day of adventure in the Cairngorms, it doesn’t get much better than this! Join Cairngorms Activities for some thrilling outdoor activities such as canoeing and biking across the Cairngorms National Park, and they will even throw in a tasty lunch too!

If you’re a family looking for a ready-made, full day of adventure in the Cairngorms, it doesn’t get much better than this! Join Cairngorms Activities for some thrilling outdoor activities including canoeing, archery, and for the brave at heart – the leap from our high ropes crate stack!

The Cateran Dirt Dash is Dirt Dash’s newest event, a co-operation with the Cateran Ecomuseum in Perthshire and Angus, organised by Markus Stitz.

This is a self-supported bikepacking event over two days, taking you around the amazing scenery in the Cateran Ecomuseum, the perfect way to experience the rugged beauty of one of Scotland’s museum without walls.

This event has a shorter route than the Dashes in Dorset and Dunoon and entries are limited to only 50 people in 2023.

Thrive is about riding bikes in one of the UK’s top cycling areas, this is a real celebration of all things bikes.  

Family orientated and with something for every one – let kids learn the joy of bikes, buddies and getting out there – with superb trails for every level. 

Bring your own picnic, seat and blanket and come and join the fun!

The loch has been chosen for its superb water quality and spectacular surroundings. Coupled with fantastic MTB trails (forest road, easy track as well as sections of singletrack) in the forest, this is one of the very best locations in the UK for off-road racing. “the Short Fast Durty” is an accessible triathlon for anyone looking to take up the sport off road, this sprint distance event is suitable for riders of blue mountain bike trails. “The Long Hard Durty”, this Standard distance race will be a stiff challenge on a tough course in a spectacular location. .

Long Hard Durty:

1,000m Open Water Swim, 18km Technical Mountain Bike, 9km Trail Run

“The Short Fast Durty”, this Sprint distance race will be a stiff but achievable challenge on a great course in a spectacular location.

Short Fast Durty:

500m Open Water Swim, 12km Mountain Bike, 5km Trail Run

Join us for a guided woodland wander. The route will take us along the shore of Loch Garten, winding its way beneath towering pine trees and leading down to Loch Mallachie. We will listen for the chirps of crossbills and the trills of crested tits, and look for tell-tale signs of red squirrels while exploring the undergrowth of Caledonian pine forest. The walk will follow footpaths and last roughly 3 hours, please wear sturdy footwear and dress appropriately for the weather.
Toilets will be available at the beginning and end of the walk at the Nature Centre. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome. Please arrive 15 minutes before the walk begins.

The first World Human Foosball Championships will be held in the Cairngorms National Park to raise funds for the Cairngorms Trust to support projects across the area.

Get a team of friends, family and colleagues together for a day of fun, 5 a side foosball! No previous experience is necessary just bring your enthusiasm.

Date: Saturday 20th May 2023
Time: First match 9am, finals from 1pm

Entry is open to teams of 5 over 16 years old.

Early bird entry price is £50 per team to enter until the 28th April. Thereafter £100 team with last entries on the 12th May so we can get the play lists ready. With 1 free car parking space per team.

This event is being held to raise funds to support projects that to support the landscapes, wildlife, local culture and economic health and encourage sustainable and community led local development within the Cairngorms National Park.

Please use our Just Giving page to ask friends, family and colleagues to support you and your team by donating to the Cairngorms Trust.

Spectators are welcome on the day with a suggested entry fee donation of £2 per person to the Cairngorms Trust.

There will be food stalls available on the day along with family friendly entertainment.

Join us for a day full of learning and experience. We’ll give you the downlow on key things we have learned about:

how to plant a tree
small and large scale planting schemes
planning an orchard
creating shelterbelts
grazing of herbivores and pigs in woodlands
pasture planting
creating and establishing hedgerows
planing and harvesting tree hay for livestock
firewood processing
the basics of making charcoal

There is a HUGE amount of material to cover so this will be intense and fast paced. The day starts at 9am and finishes at 5pm with a BBQ lunch in between.

Booking Essential