Loch Morlich is an iconic Scottish tourist destination thanks to its numerous fun-filled activities, from watersports to walking trails. But one of the best ways to truly be one with nature is through wild camping! 

So, if you’re new, here’s a guide on everything you need to know about wild camping at Loch Morlich! 

What is Loch Morlich?

Image: TripAdvisor

Website: https://www.lochmorlich.com/ 

Address: Loch Morlich, Glenmore Forest Park, Aviemore, Inverness-shire, PH22 1QY, United Kingdom

Contact Information: 01479 861 221; [email protected]; [email protected] 

Operating Hours: 24 hours daily

• Watersports Center: Monday – Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM

Entrance Fee: Free

At the foot of Cairngorm Mountain range lies Loch Morlich, a freshwater loch surrounded by the Glenmore Forest, making it a popular tourist spot for its natural beauty and outdoor activities. 

The best time to visit is in the summer months. This way, visitors of all ages will be able to enjoy the warm weather and an array of watersports. 

Since they’re open 24 hours daily, they’re a popular option for many wildlife campers. However, if you’re planning to take part in watersports activities, take note that the center is only open Mondays through Fridays from 9 AM to 5 PM.

How do I get to Loch Morlich?

Image: Inverness Courier

There are several ways you can get to Loch Morlich, but the most popular and comfortable options are via bus and car. 

This is because most visitors travel with extended family and bring many belongings with them.

Getting to Loch Morlich via Bus

Image: Wikimedia Commons

From Aviemore or Cairngorm Mountain Ski Center, you can ride a Line 37 bus. These typically pass Loch Morlich Beach, where you can get off. 

If you’re coming from elsewhere, you can simply get off at the Visitor Centre, Glenmore. 

Getting to Loch Morlich via Car

Image: Camping in the Forest

From Aviemore Town, Loch Morlich is about 6.5 miles away by car. Simply follow the Cairngorms signs until you see signs of the loch. 

The entrance to Loch Morlich will appear on your left.

What’s wild camping?

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The main difference between wild camping and regular camping is that the former is typically done in a non-campsite environment and is completely off-grid. 

It refers to camping that is lightweight, done in small numbers, and usually for just two or three nights in one location.

Access rights allow for wild camping wherever these rights apply, but it’s important to avoid causing issues for local people and land managers. This means not camping in enclosed fields with crops or farm animals and staying well away from buildings, roads, and historic sites.

If you need to camp near a house or building, you should seek the owner’s permission.

To ensure you leave no trace, take all your litter with you, remove any evidence of your tent pitch or fire, and avoid causing any pollution.

What are the benefits of wild camping?

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Wild camping has several benefits, from mental to emotional, which is why it’s a popular activity for many in Scotland.

Spending time in the great outdoors can bring about a ton of new lessons and experiences that aren’t typically taught in school. Unlike camping in designated campgrounds, wild camping gives you the freedom to choose your camping spot, allowing for a more spontaneous and adventurous experience. You can explore off-the-beaten-path locations and set up camp wherever you find a suitable spot.

Wild camping also allows you to immerse yourself in nature, away from the distractions of modern life. You can experience the natural world up close, enjoy the tranquility of remote locations, and observe wildlife in its natural habitat.

How do I look for the perfect spot to camp?

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When searching for the best place to set up camp, it’s important to closely inspect the following:

1. Surrounding area

Inspect the surrounding area for any risk of falling rocks or trees. That said, be wary of rising water levels if you’re camping alongside a lake to avoid flash floods.

When you’re out in the wilderness, you’ll be a couple of miles away from the nearest town. Having said that, you wouldn’t want to be stuck or lost in the event of an unforeseen emergency.

Ensure that you’ve placed easily removable and non-damaging markers to keep track of the path in and out of your site. 

It’s also a great practice to do your research on the area, too. You can do a quick Google search on the area’s camping history. 

Read articles and forums about previous campers’ experiences in the area to give yourself a better idea of places you should explore and those you’ll need to avoid.

2. Weather forecasts

It’s a no-brainer that you’ll need to monitor the weather forecasts to ensure that you aren’t caught up in inclement weather.

While we do admit that wild camping in the rain is quite therapeutic, ensure that there aren’t any expectations of torrential weather before or after your trip.

3. Ground conditions

Since you’ll be setting camp directly on the ground, check to see if there is any nearby wildlife that you’re unknowingly disturbing. 

That said, pay attention if there are any nearby dens or holes in the trees or ground that could indicate that a living creature lives there.

You’ll also notice droppings on the ground and markings on trees that could mean that there are bears or other large and dangerous animals nearby. 

If you’ve encountered a sign that a potentially dangerous animal is nearby, take that as your sign to leave immediately and find a safer place to camp.

What should I bring when wild camping?

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Ask any camper out there and their #1 tip when it comes to packing would be: pack light! Nevertheless, we understand the sentiments of many who’d like to be prepared for anything. 

Unfortunately, there isn’t a store on Earth that sells magic carpet bags like the one Mary Poppins had. So you’ll have to make do with your non magical hiking backpack instead.

But don’t worry, here’s an ultimate guide on the non-negotiables you should bring when wild camping:

1. Tent
2. Sleeping bag along with a sleeping liner and mattress
3. Down jacket and pants
4. Rain jacket and pants
5. Beanie and gloves
6. Headtorch and spare batteries
7. Food: Dehydrated meals, pre-made, or freeze-dried food
8. Portable stove
9. Pots, pans, glasses, and cutlery
10. Microfibre towel
11. Dry bag
12. First aid kit and insect repellant
13. Water filter and water bottle
14. Map and compass
15. Walking poles

How much water do I need for wild camping?

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A great rule of thumb to follow is to pack at least 1-2 gallons of water for each person per day that you’re out camping. It’s important to remember that your body needs 2 liters of water a day when active.

Keep in mind that the water you’ll be bringing won’t just be for drinking, especially if there aren’t any nearby natural water sources. 

You’ll most likely have to use your water for cleaning and cooking, too. So, use your water wisely and pack a water filter to use just in case.

How do I wild camp responsibly?

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The most important rule to abide by while camping is: leave no trace. This means that you leave your camping site exactly how you found it – without any traces of your pitch, campfire remnants, or discarded food.

In a nutshell, you should behave as unobtrusively as you possibly can. On top of that, treat the environment and wildlife with the utmost respect.

While these instructions have been on repeat since the dawn of time, Scotland has been experiencing an influx of wildlife camping polluters and abusers.

In fact, there have been several local reports of campers kicking ducks and washing in the loch. With that said, officials have been on their toes to catch any offenders. 

To further enjoy wild camping in Scotland’s beautiful countryside, let’s be responsible campers. 

Can you wild camp at Loch Morlich?

Image: jin a on Trip Advisor

Yes, you can wild camp at Loch Morlich, as long as you follow the principles of responsible camping outlined in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. This means camping in small numbers for two or three nights in any one place, keeping well away from buildings, roads, and enclosed fields of crops or farm animals. It’s also important to take away all your belongings and litter, use a camping stove instead of open fires, and follow local guidelines to ensure you’re minimizing your impact on the environment.

Since Loch Morlich is a popular area, it’s recommended to consider using a managed campsite with facilities, especially during busy periods, to help protect the natural surroundings.

Where can I set up my camp at Loch Morlich?

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Campers can choose to set up their site along the shore of the east bank, by the forest, or on the east bank. There are a ton of other appropriate camping locations that are just a 20-30 minute walk away!

Alternatively, you can opt to camp at the Glenmore campsite, which is a dedicated camping site. Do note that the cost for pitching starts at around £18. 

When am I allowed to wild camp at Loch Morlich?

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Loch Morlich is open daily, so you can stop by whenever you like to wild camp. However, many recommend camping during the summer months since it isn’t as cold. 

It’s also imperative that you take note that only a 2-3 night stay is permitted at each location. So, be sure to plan your trip accordingly so that you don’t overstay as you may be requested to leave.

What am I not allowed to bring to Loch Morlich?

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Visitors are permitted to bring virtually all kinds of camping gear that they’ll need, from sleeping bags to tents. However, fire and barbeque equipment is strictly prohibited. 

What can I do while wild camping at Loch Morlich?

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While camping at Loch Morlich, there are several things that you can enjoy whilst in the relaxing presence of nature, such as:

• Reading a book
• Taking photographs of nature
• Swimming by the loch 
• Feeding the ducks
• Doing some yoga, meditation, or breathing exercises
• Exploring the rest of the loch via the trails

Where can I park my car?

Image: Evan’s Guide

Overnight parking is not allowed in the Glenmore car parks at Loch Morlich, except in limited cases where visitors plan to make a multi-day wild camping trip into more remote areas of the hills and forest. In such situations, you should contact the park authorities in advance to discuss parking options. If you plan to camp near the road, it is strongly recommended to book a spot at a local campsite like Glenmore Campsite, which is close to Loch Morlich Beach and offers excellent facilities.

Also, be cautious of parking in front of entrances and exits.

As for their parking fee, there’s a ‘pay by card’ ticket machine by the entrance of Glenmore Visitor Center. Otherwise, the only other form of payment accepted is through coins.

Parking prices are:

Price	Length of Stay
£2	Up to 1 hour
£3	Up to 3 hours
£4	All day for vehicles up to 7 seats
£12	All day for mini buses or coaches
Free	Only for Blue Badge holders

What are other activities that I can do at Loch Morlich?

Image: The Times

On top of camping, Loch Morlich offers a few other fun outdoor activities that are perfect for visitors of all ages. 

1. Watersports

Image: Loch Morlich Watersports

What’s great about Loch Morlich is that they have an in-house watersports center that’s open Mondays through Fridays from 9 AM to 5 PM. 

Activity	Duration	Adult Fee	Junior (10-14 YO) Fee	Inclusions	Max. Participants
Kayak Trip with Instruction	1 hour	£40	£40	• Lessons • Equipment • Wetsuit • Buoyancy aid	5
Family Canoeing Trip	2 hours	£40	£40	• Lessons • Equipment • Wetsuit • Buoyancy aid	5
Stand Up Paddle Board Trip	1 hour	£40	£40	• Lessons • Equipment • Wetsuit • Buoyancy aid	8
Guided Mountain Bike Trip	2 hours	£40	£40	• Bike • Helmet  • Biking gloves	5
Sailing Lesson	1 hour	£30	£30 (8-12 YO)	• Lessons • Equipment • Wetsuit • Buoyancy aid	6

Each of these activities come with lessons from their qualified instructors. Alternatively, if you’d like to hire equipment without lessons, that can be arranged, too.

Bookings can easily be done over the phone or online via their website. If special arrangements need to be made, you can contact them in advance to see if they can accommodate these.

2. Swim in Loch Morlich

Image: Ravenscraig Guest House

If you’re more of a laid back type of visitor, you can forego the watersports and opt for a peaceful swim in Loch Morlich. 

While it’s generally family-friendly, the waters can become deep rather quickly. Hence, it’s strongly advised that you swim with caution, in groups, and always have someone watching close by, especially for young ones.

The water can also get extremely cold, so don’t forget to bring warm towels and clothes to dry off quickly. If possible, wetsuits are preferred.

Alternatively, you can just lay by the warm and soft sand and have a picnic. 

3. Walk the Loch Morlich Trail

Image: Forestry and Land Scotland

The walk around Loch Morlich is stunning, to say the least. You can expect majestic views of the mountains, calm waters, and even an occasional sighting of wildlife such as ducks and otters. 

There are several trails that you can go through depending on the level of difficulty you’re up for and the duration you’re willing to walk.

Trail	Coming From	Difficulty	Duration	Length
Beach Trail	Loch Morlich Beach car park	Moderate	1 hour	1 ½ miles or 2.4 kms
Loch Morlich Trail	Loch Morlich Beach car park	Moderate	2 hours	3 ½ miles or 5.8 kms
Ryvoan Trail	From Glenmore Visitor Center	Strenuous	2 ½ hours	3½ miles or5.8 kms
Pine Knoll Trail	From Hayfield car park	Moderate	¾ hour	1¼ miles or2.2 kms
Lodge Trail	From Allt Mor car park	Moderate	½ hour	2½ miles or3.9 kms
Additional Longer Distance Trails:
The Old Logging Way				6 ½ miles / 10.5 kms each way
Meall a’ Bhuachaille hill path	From Glenmore Visitor Center

Be prepared for some slippery and muddy areas, especially after rainfall. We also strongly recommend downloading their Route Card to have an on-hand copy of the vicinity.

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That’s everything you need to know about wild camping at Loch Morlich – and more! Let us know how your camping experience went by leaving us a message.