Explore at 635m
Imagine you’ve arrived at Aviemore in the Cairngorms National Park, deep in the Highlands of Scotland and taken a glance at the scale of the mountain and decided it’s not for you. What is there to do if you don’t want to walk or go on the funicular mountain railway?
Once you’re in the car park you are already 635m (2,083ft) up the mountain – and from here there is plenty to explore and see with a host of activities and visitor attractions to choose from:
Mountain Garden – Free
Found just above the Base Station, the garden recreates the various zones you would find on Cairn Gorm Mountain itself – all the way from the valley floor to the summit. So this is a great place to discover some rare mountain plants and even a traditional red phone box.
All Abilities Trail – Free
With gentle gradients, this trail runs alongside and above the car park past various artworks to the northern viewpoint. This trail is suitable for wheelchair access and has pleasant picnic stops along the route. (approx 300m long)
Camera Obscura – Free
At the top of the Mountain Garden, the “dark room” houses a camera obscura where slowly rotating 360 degree real-time views from the mountain are projected on to the table in front of you.
Northern Viewpoint – Free
There are some fantastic views to be enjoyed from this elevated vantage point with stone built water courses, bronze lettered grilles and carved landmark pointers.
The Igloo – Free
See if you can pull the igloo apart and rebuild it before the train arrives. This can be found in the T-Bar.
Exhibitions – Free
There are a host of exhibitions on display at various points throughout the year. Past exhibitions have included Red Earth Children, looking at nations and nurture in Africa and art work by local artist Sheena Wilson. Currently we have The Big Freeze, which displays photos taken by staff of the extraordinary winter of 2009-2010.
Perhaps the real beauty of CairnGorm Mountain then is that it is not just an incredible mountain location with fabulous snow sports, walking and immense views – there is much more to discover even from a more reassuring height.
