Jenny’s spent the past year scoping out the best places to go wild swimming near Aviemore in the Cairngorms National Park, Scotland. These are her fave lochs for a refreshing dip – you can thank her later!
Having spent a year living in the Cairngorms National Park, the Scottish outdoors has been my playground, and I’ve loved every minute of it.
I’ve especially taken a lot of pleasure in seeking out different places to go wild swimming near Aviemore. And yes – throughout the year, come rain or shine!
Whether it’s part of a bigger planned day out, like topping off a fantastic day of hiking, or a spontaneous micro adventure in itself, I’ve fallen in love with the feeling and the plethora of benefits that comes with wild swimming. I.e., swimming (or on some occasions simply taking a quick dip!) in natural bodies of water.
Wild swimming has also helped me connect with, and admire the wild spaces throughout the highlands even more than I did before.
So after scoping out some of the area’s best lochs, here are seven of my favourite places to go wild swimming near Aviemore for you to get stuck into yourself.
But first…
What’s So Good About Wild Swimming in the Cairngorms?
The Cairngorms National Park has some of the cleanest lochs and rivers in the whole of Europe.
The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) tests and monitors some of Scotland’s designated outdoor bathing waters. That being said, whilst national parks are generally protected from many polluting activities, it is best to double-check the latest SEPA Bathing Waters report where you plan to swim.
Bad weather, including flooding, or an unforeseen environmental emergency, can rapidly change a usually clean body of water. But on the whole, you can be assured that the Cairngorms rainwater is some of the best.
Scotland also upholds the right to roam, which are access rights meaning that everyone in Scotland has the right to be on, and cross land for recreational purposes (including for wild camping).
These freedoms make the Cairngorms a fantastic place to explore for the best publicly available wild swimming spots, without the fear of trespassing on private land.
These reasons coupled with the epic scenery within one of the UK’s most dramatic natural landscapes, means swimming in the Cairngorms really is some of the best in the country.
The Best Wild Swimming Near Aviemore:
Loch Gynack
- Parking: Kingussie Golf Club
- Type: Walk-in – 1.68km, 34 mins
- Directions: Follow signs pointing across the caravan park to a gate that leads to a forest path. Follow the path until a junction. Take the turn signposted to Creag Bheag. Continue down past the bench, rather than turning uphill, until you reach the loch.
Nestled between the small craggy peaks of Creag Bheag and Creag Mhor is Loch Gynack, brimming with mineral rich water having run off from the surrounding hills.
This hidden loch is the perfect balance of remote, yet easily accessible enough; offering the perfect haven for wild swimming near Aviemore. As you’re unable to access it directly by car; a short run, walk or bike to the loch offers a more satisfying and unique experience.
In Autumn, the surrounding landscape looks especially spectacular with trees ablaze in fiery reds, burnt oranges and yellow-golds.
An Lochan Uaine
- Parking: Glenmore Visitors Centre
- Type: Walk-in – 3km, 50 mins
- Directions: Follow the well signposted forest path
This small emerald green loch is almost as though it has been plucked from a fairytale!
Its unique colour is attributed to the myth of pixies washing their clothes in it. Others with less of an imagination suggest it’s simply from the reflection of the surrounding trees!
An easy stroll along a forest path leads to this magical wild swimming spot near to Aviemore.
If you continue on a kilometre further down the mountain pass, you will find yourself at the well maintained Ryvoan bothy. It’s perfect for a post dip hot drink (like a hot toddy!) and warm up by the fire, so make sure you come prepared!
Loch an Eilein
- Parking: Rothiemurchus car park
- Type: Walk-in – around 400m
Loch an Eilein (from the Gaelic meaning ‘Loch of the Island’) is a personal favourite place of mine to go wild swimming near Aviemore.
This tree and hill surrounded haven, set within the Rothiemurchus Forest of Caledonian pine trees, is simply stunning year round.
With an intriguing 13th century castle ruin as your backdrop, it’s easy to find yourself imagining a land of Famous Five and Swallows and Amazons – full of mystery, excitement and adventure.
Loch an Eilein was once even voted as UK’s best picnic spot, so you can bet it’s pretty special.
Loch Insh
- Parking: Church (not on Sundays), Loch Insh Watersports centre or Kincraig village.
- Type: Easy access
Loch Insh situated in the village of Kincraig, has an excellent outdoors community, with a weekly locals event keeping you motivated to wild swim all year round. Join the ‘Loch Insh Dippers’ Facebook group to join in the fun and meet some like-minded dippers!
The loch is well-known for its water sports centre. So as well as wild swimming, you could try your hand at windsurfing, wing-foiling, SUPing (including SUP yoga), building rafts and more!
There’s also a nearby restaurant where you can grab a hot coffee or lunch afterwards to make a day of it.
Loch Morlich
- Parking: multiple car parks around the Loch or on the road
- Type: Easy access
In the shadow of the Cairngorm mountains, surrounded by Scots pine trees and even with its own idyllic sandy beach, it’s no surprise that Loch morlich is a popular tourist spot for wild swimming, water sports and holiday makers.
That being said, perhaps not the spot for a perfectly mindful retreat. It gets pretty busy!
Instead it offers plentiful family fun and is perfectly suited to those wild swimmers who appreciate a good cafe trip after a swim too!
Loch Avon (Loch A’an)
- Parking: Ski centre car park
- Type: Walk-in – 5.28km, 2hr 11mins, 521m elevation gain
- Directions: From the car park, head west following the path that goes up Fiacaill a’Choire Chais. Continue following the path across the plateau, then as it steeply descends to the loch.
For the more adventurous individual, Loch Avon, otherwise known as Loch A’an, nestled behind Cairngorm mountain is dramatic and encapsulates the heart and soul of the Cairngorms.
Surrounded by endless crags and epic boulder fields, it really is worth the two hour hike across mountainous terrain to reach it.
For this loch, a good level of fitness and ability to navigate is essential. Being so high up and away from civilisation, it should only be swam in the height of summer!
Loch Etchachan
- Parking: Ski centre car park
- Type: Walk-in – 7.91km, 3 hrs 18 min 802m elevation
- Directions: From Loch Avon, walk west around the loch for about 700m. Then take the path that is directly east of Carn Etchachan. Follow the path uphill for about another 700m until you reach the loch.
Only 2 km away from the previously listed Loch Avon, is the remote freshwater lake of Loch Etchachan, sitting at 927m above sea level.
It is the highest loch of its size in the UK. It also has fab views of Cairngorm and Ben Macdui.
Etchachan is a ‘must-visit’ for any loch-dippers who find themselves on the plateau. Again, it’s one to be saved for a blazing summer’s day – and don’t forget your essential outdoor gear, like a map and compass!
Whether you’re a seasoned wild swimmer or someone looking to dip your toes into something new, I hope my experiences inspire you to explore these magnificent swimming spots near Aviemore.
It’s not just about the swim either; it’s about immersing yourself in nature, feeling the exhilaration of the cold water, the feel-good buzz afterwards and witnessing the breathtaking scenery that surrounds you. Happy dipping!
Saving this post for my next trip to Scotland. I love finding off the beaten path lakes to swim in.
These are beautiful locations. Even if you’re not going for a swim, the hike to these hidden spots is great and offers stunning views. I haven’t been to Scotland much, but the amazing landscapes are one of the things that make me want to visit.
These all look fabulous! Especially the views at Loch Avon (Loch A’an), and the fabulous long-ish walk into Loch Etchachan.
I have to admit, although my mum loves it, I never did much wild swimming in the UK – I only got into it once we moved to Canada. Now I know how good you feel after a cool dip, I’d love to hike+swim in the UK too. Avienmore looks the best place to try!