Women’s Hiking Tour of Cairngorms NP in Scotland

Things to know

• What’s included?

  What you get on this adventure:

  • • An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • Six days of guided walks and day hikes
    • Ensuite solo occupancy accommodations in a B&B for the duration of the tour (those sharing a room with a friend or a partner get a discount during booking!)
    • Welcome meal and finale evening meal at a local restaurant in Aviemore
    • Hearty highland breakfasts for the duration of the tour
    • Transfers for hikes where required

  You’ll be staying in Aviemore, a charming Scottish town. There are plenty of cafes there as well as a supermarket, so you’ll always have options for picnic lunches!

  What’s not included:

  • • Transportation to Aviemore
    • Lunches
    • Evening meals for the rest of the adventure
    • Guide gratuities — optional
• How fit do I need to be?

  In order to join this Cairngorms hiking adventure, a good level of fitness as well as some previous hiking experience is required. You will be hiking for 6-10 hours a day for several consecutive days, covering distances of up to 9.9 miles (16 km). You will be hiking on occasionally rugged terrain and tackling daily ascents of up to 1,900 + ft (600 m) while carrying a daypack with the things you’ll need throughout the day. However, with some preparation and willpower, you should be able to handle this tour no matter your age or skill level.

  If you’re a more advanced hiker looking for a challenge, check out this hiking tour in the Cuilin Hills or these hiking tours in the Isle of Skye.

• What do I need to bring?

  Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

  • • Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 25-40L bag)
    • Hiking poles — optional
    • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
    • Lightweight hiking boots or shoes
    • Spare clothes for layering and 5 days of hiking
    • Waterproof rain jacket
    • Sunhat
    • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
    • Headlamp or flashlight
    • Sunglasses
    • Camera — optional (but recommended)

  Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and prices:

  • • For this group adventure, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 8:1. 
    • The cost does not decrease as the group grows.
    • This tour typically requires a minimum of six women to run. However, smaller groups can still proceed if participants agree to cover the additional costs. This will usually be discussed with your guide about six weeks before the tour start date. If you’re curious about the current number of participants, feel free to reach out.

  Hiking the Cairngorms can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements:

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

  If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to the Cairngorm Guest House in Aviemore, the starting point of the tour, most people fly into Aberdeen International Airport 3 hours away. From there, you can take a train or local flight to Inverness, and a bus or another train to the station in Aviemore.

  Alternatively, if you’re up for an extra adventure, your guide recommends taking the Caledonian sleeper train from London to Aviemore, with spectacular views of England and the Highlands. The train arrives in Aviemore at 9 am on day 1 of your tour.  It only takes a short 10-minute walk to reach Cairngorm Guest House from Aviemore train station.

  Once you arrive at Aviemore, get settled into your accommodations in the Cairngorm Guest House and meet your guide for a briefing at 4 pm, marking the start of this adventure.

• Covid measures in Cairngorms National Park, Scotland

  57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity. 

  We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Cairngorms National Park, Scotland, please refer to the Cairngorms National Park COVID-19 guidelines and the official COVID-19 guidelines for travel into the United Kingdom.

  Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  Deposits

  You can secure one of the 2024 dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

  Cancellations

  Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

  Basic

  • • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 90 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a 70% refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-89 days before the trip, there is no refund.

  Flexible

  • • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 90 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 60-89 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, there is no refund.

  Super Flexible

  • • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.

  Early Bird booking

  Want to be the first one to know when we publish new dates or secure your spot well in advance? Select a future month that suits you best and lock in your Early Bird spot in time with just a 10% deposit. 

  As soon as our guides publish new tour dates, you’ll be the first one to know. We’ll hold your spot for 2 weeks until you choose the date that suits you best. 

  More about how Early Bird bookings work below:

  • • Only a 10% non-refundable deposit must be paid upon booking, but this deposit can be transferred to any other 57hours adventure in case the dates don’t end up working for you.
    • Once our guides publish new tour dates, we’ll reach out to you so you’ll be the first one to choose from newly released dates.
    • When you pick your date, you’ll confirm your booking by paying another 20% of the total trip amount (amounting to the standard 30% deposit). 
    • Once the trip has been confirmed, the regular cancellation policy (found above) applies.
    • The remaining balance is due 90 days before the trip.