Photo: Thomas Andy Branson, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Cairngorms are a Highland landscape of granite mountains, high plateaus and ancient Caledonian pine forest, with Ben Macdui, Braeriach and Cairn Toul rising above glens and sparkling lochs. Aviemore and Carrbridge stations put the mountain trails, forest walks and Highland scenery within reach by train.
There are 7 stations within 5 miles of Cairngorms National Park.
The park area is home to 1288 DoBIH-listed peaks, the highest being Ben Macdui [Beinn Macduibh] at 1309m.
Cairngorms train stations
Best for walkers first: gold, silver and bronze rate the hills, landscape and trails near each.
- NewtonmoreGold walking rating
- DalwhinnieGold walking rating
- KingussieGold walking rating
- Blair AthollGold walking rating
- Pitlochry3.0 mi (about 3.5 to 4 mi on foot)Gold walking rating
- AviemoreSilver walking rating
- CarrbridgeSilver walking rating
Walking distances are estimates from the straight-line distance and the type of ground, not a measured route. Check a map before you set off.
Onward bus services
Buses that reach further into Cairngorms National Park than the stations above. Check the days each one runs before you travel.
Aviemore Adventurer (Stagecoach 30)
From Aviemore rail station
Daily, up to hourly, year-round
Timetable: visitcairngorms.com ↗
Journey times from cities
How soon you can be at the nearest station serving Cairngorms National Park from each city, counting stations just outside the boundary as well as inside it.
- Inverness to CarrbridgeFrom 41min
- Stirling to PitlochryFrom 1hr 5min
- Dundee to PitlochryFrom 1hr 21min
- Glasgow to PitlochryFrom 1hr 44min
- Edinburgh to PitlochryFrom 1hr 59min
- Aberdeen to PitlochryFrom 2hr 40min
- Newcastle to PitlochryFrom 3hr 40min
- Durham to PitlochryFrom 4hr 11min
- Lancaster to PitlochryFrom 4hr 23min
- Preston to PitlochryFrom 4hr 38min
- York to PitlochryFrom 4hr 51min
- Leeds to PitlochryFrom 5hr 23min
- Manchester to PitlochryFrom 5hr 23min
- Sheffield to PitlochryFrom 5hr 33min
- Liverpool to PitlochryFrom 5hr 34min
- Birmingham to PitlochryFrom 6hr 18min
- London to PitlochryFrom 6hr 25min
- Nottingham to PitlochryFrom 6hr 39min
- Leicester to PitlochryFrom 6hr 46min
- Cambridge to PitlochryFrom 6hr 50min
- Norwich to PitlochryFrom 7hr 30min
- Oxford to PitlochryFrom 7hr 46min
Good to know
Can you get to the Cairngorms by train?
Yes. 7 stations are within 5 miles of the Cairngorms, including Aviemore and Blair Atholl.
What is the nearest train station to the Cairngorms?
6 stations with regular trains are inside the Cairngorms, including Aviemore, Blair Atholl and Carrbridge.
How long does it take to get to the Cairngorms by train?
The Cairngorms is 1hr 26min from Stirling, 1hr 53min from Glasgow and 2hr 25min from Edinburgh by train, to the quickest station inside the park.
More of Cairngorms National Park
Photo: Pjt56, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Jim Barton, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Geograph
Photo: Stuart Meek, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Geograph