Royal Deeside & Cairngorms Guided Walks

Discover the landscapes, wildlife and stories of the Cairngorms with a local guide.

Explore the Cairngorms with Local Experts

Hillgoers is based in Royal Deeside, with experienced guides based across the Cairngorms and throughout Scotland. We’ll create a walk around your interests, ability and available time — whether that means a gentle Highland walk, discovering the area’s wildlife and history, or heading higher into the mountains.

Choose Your Cairngorms Experience

A stone pyramid-shaped structure in a forest clearing, surrounded by tall trees and green foliage, with a dirt path leading toward the structure and mountains in the distance under a partly cloudy sky.

Royal Deeside

Historic estates, ancient pinewoods and beautiful Highland landscapes, from Balmoral to Braemar and beyond.

A deer with large antlers standing in a grassy field with rolling hills in the background.

Forests, Lochs & Wildlife

Wander through ancient pinewoods, beside Highland lochs and through landscapes rich in wildlife.

Mountain landscape with a small lake at the base, rocky terrain in the foreground, and a blue sky with scattered clouds.

Mountains & Munros

Head into the high Cairngorms for a memorable mountain day, from accessible summits to classic Munros.

Walks to Inspire You

From relaxed forest and lochside walks to historic estates and mountain days, here are a few ideas for exploring the Cairngorms with us.

Balmoral Cairns

Walk through the Caledonian pinewoods of the Balmoral Estate and discover the historic cairns built by the Royal Family to commemorate significant events. Rich in history and surrounded by beautiful Highland scenery, this is one of Royal Deeside’s most distinctive guided walks.

Two women with backpacks and walking sticks standing on a grassy trail in a forest, near a large stone cone-shaped monument or cairn, among tall pine trees with a partly cloudy sky above.

Glenmore & the Green Lochan

Explore the ancient Caledonian pinewoods around Glenmore, following trails towards the beautiful An Lochan Uaine, known as the Green Lochan, and the historic Ryvoan Pass. The walk can be tailored to your day, with options to continue towards Loch Morlich or climb higher for wider views across the Cairngorms.

A small lake surrounded by green trees and hills, with a dirt shoreline and cloudy sky overhead.

Loch Muick

Walk through the spectacular landscape of Glen Muick to one of Royal Deeside’s best known lochs, surrounded by the high Cairngorm mountains. With its Royal connections, abundant wildlife and views towards Lochnagar, Loch Muick is a wonderful way to experience the character of this part of the National Park.

Calm lake reflecting surrounding hills and trees under a clear blue sky.

A Walk to Suit You

You don’t need to be an experienced hillwalker to explore the Cairngorms with us. Our guided walks can range from gentle half-day experiences on good paths to full mountain days, with the route planned around your experience, fitness, interests and available time.

Plan Your Walk