For fans of solitude and Scottish outdoor splendour, the walking trail around Loch Vaa is an absolute must.
Nestled within the ancient pinewoods of Cairngorms National Park, the beauty spot has long been dubbed a ‘local’s secret’ since tourists seldom know about it, instead gravitating to more publicised lochs in the surrounding area.
Home to a short circular waterside ramble, Loch Vaa is also touted for its incredibly photogenic boathouse which is found around 15-minutes into the trail.
As you stand on the shingled beach by the wooden boathouse and overlook the impressive loch, it feels more akin to being in the remote wilderness of Alaska rather than a stone’s throw away from a main road in Scotland!
While the loch is only small in size however, it can still prove a tad tricky to navigate due to numerous footpaths and limited signposting.
To assist fellow hikers venturing around Loch Vaa, I’ve compiled a comprehensive guide below to help keep you on track.
Interested? Let’s get to it 👇
Where is Loch Vaa?
Tucked away in the woodlands between Aviemore and Boat of Garten, the best place to start this walk is from Laggantygown Cemetery Car Park, located just off the A95 beside the railway bridge.
Parking is free, although spots are limited to a handful of cars, so we’d advise avoiding peak times to guarantee a spot.
Loch Vaa Car Park address: Boat of Garten PH22 1QD
Loch Vaa boathouse directions
- From the cemetery car park, walk along the road towards to the cemetery, before taking the offshoot trail to the left of the white ‘Laggantygown Cemetery’ signpost.
- Follow the trail up the short incline before dropping down and once again veering to the left, sticking close to the shoreline.
- Continue ahead and navigate through the woodlands. After a short while, the shingle beach and boathouse can be seen through the trees.
- Park your bum on the shingle beach, tuck into a picnic and bask in the striking vistas on display.
Loch Vaa walk
If you visited Loch Vaa solely for the boathouse, simply head back the way you came.
For those wanting to complete the full walk however, you can hop back on the trail which loops all around the loch and back to the cemetery car park.
Coming in at just 1.9 kilometres in length, the stroll can comfortably be completed in under 45 minutes (not including time spent by the boathouse).
The footpath can be rugged and boggy in sections though, especially after wet weather, so boots and proper walking gear are a must.
While you’re here…
For more outdoor inspiration in Cairngorms National Park, I recently teamed up with Regatta to highlight some of the best hikes around the Aviemore area.
Likewise, don’t forget to trawl through the Scotland section of our blog. I’m sure there’s something that’ll tickle your fancy!
Happy walking 🚶