What's here? at Loch Garten, Abernethy
Available on site
Help to protect this special place by only parking in dedicated areas. Parking on verges causes an obstruction and damages this amazing forest.
- 52 spaces.
- 3 Blue Badge spaces.
- Capacity for one coach.
- Free parking.
- Natural lighting only.
- No height restrictions.
- Ten 'Sheffield-type' bicycle stands (space for 20 bikes)
- Drop-off at the Centre can be arranged for those with mobility problems.
Accessible all gender composting toilet with child-friendly seat and baby changing facilities.
Located in accessible toilet.
The track up to the centre is 250m, compacted hard surface, with slight inclines.
The track up to the centre is 250m, compacted hard surface, with slight inclines.
Accessible all gender composting toilet with child-friendly seat and baby changing facilities.
The Centre is 275m from the car park, up a hard-surface, compacted track with slight inclines.
There are two benches positioned at intervals along the track.
The main entrance/exit to the centre is step-free and access around the centre itself is all on one level.
There is wooden seating in the Centre.
Spotlight lighting.
Some written information.
Staff always present during opening hours.
The shop is open daily, 10.30am to 3.30pm.
Two wooden picnic benches at the Nature Centre. One with a designated wheelchair bay, and several garden benches.
Binocular Hire
Guided Walks
The Nature Centre overlooks the forest, feeders and osprey nest. Live and recorded CCTV images of local wildlife. Fixed binoculars and telescopes at various heights. No hearing loop, but staff give regular oral presentations. Benches are available at viewpoints. the surface is mostly compacted forest floor, some hardcore sections.
Download our trail map, to help you plan your visit.
Following recent infrastructure works access on the track up to the Nature Centre is open again, but the track is quite uneven underfoot. The track up to the centre is 250m, compacted hard surface, with slight inclines.
Three waymarked trails with no stiles or gates: Big Pines - 0.5 miles/0.8 km - linear trail, compacted forest soils, with tree roots, slight inclines and potential muddy sections; Two Lochs - 1.7 miles/2.7km circular trail, compacted forest soils, with tree roots, slight inclines and potential muddy sections; Part of the Speyside Way 3.5km / 2.5 miles, compacted loose surface with some steep sections. Large-print information display boards.
RSPB Community Education Officer available for pre-booked pre-school, school and college groups.
All sessions are tailored to suit your needs and are Curriculum for Excellence linked. Our Community Education Officer can plan and deliver Curriculum for Excellence linked activities to suit your class’s requirements. All visits are risk assessed.
Charges are £2 per child, accompanying adults are free.
We also welcome pre-booked group visits to the Nature Centre and will happily provide a video presentation and wildlife interpretation to suit your group. All sessions are risk assessed.
No cafe, but sandwiches, hot drinks and snacks are available from the Nature Centre shop.
Ten 'Sheffield-type' bicycle stands (space for 20 bikes)
Not available on site
BBQs are a fire risk, endangering other people and the precious wildlife and habitats here. They are not permitted on the reserve at any time.
Restrictions
Between April 1 and August 31 you must keep dogs on a lead to protect ground-nesting birds, including capercaillie in the forest and dotterel on the high tops. Please keep dogs away from the loch during spring and summer, as it contains breeding birds. Dogs are not permitted at the Nature Centre, except assistance dogs.
Assistance dogs are welcome in all parts of the reserve.