Derry Lodge from Linn of Dee

The walk from Linn of Dee to Derry Lodge follows one of the great approach tracks into the heart of the Cairngorms, a 10.9 km out-and-back along the River Dee through ancient Caledonian pine forest. The Linn of Dee itself is a dramatic narrow gorge where the full width of the river is forced through a gap barely two metres wide, and from here the track follows the river upstream through Scots pine, birch and juniper into increasingly wild and remote country. Derry Lodge, a former shooting lodge now maintained as an open shelter, sits at the junction of Glen Derry and Glen Luibeg beneath the Cairngorm plateau. The 254 m of climbing is gentle and spread across the full distance, and the track is firm and well maintained throughout.

This is one of the finest dog friendly walks in the Cairngorms. The ancient pine forest carries a distinctive clean, resinous scent quite different from plantation woodland, and the river provides constant water access for drinking and swimming. Off-lead potential is high throughout as livestock are largely absent from the forest and glen, and the open track gives excellent visibility. Red deer are common and their scent runs through the forest, so dogs with a strong chase instinct should be managed. The remoteness of Derry Lodge gives the walk a genuine sense of journey and arrival, and the surrounding mountains provide a spectacular backdrop. The firm track suits dogs of all sizes and abilities. Best on clear days when the Cairngorm plateau is visible above the treeline.