Ride Overview

Let us say right up front here – this ride is for advanced riders only – it’s got loads of long and fast canters, places where you need to get off and hand walk your horse up or down more difficult terrain and spots where you’ll need to pop over small streams or boggy sections.  Don’t get us wrong – it’s a BLAST!  But if the thought of trusting your horse and staying centered in the saddle while jumping a hazard doesn’t give you the adrenaline rush  intended – you’ll want to bypass this ride.

The Cairngorms are a trail riding dream come true.  They are a mountain range in the eastern Highlands that are now part of Scotland’s second national park.  You’ll ride right up to and below many of the summits which have tors, free-standing rock outcrops that stand on top of the boulder-strewn landscape.  This incredible area is an arctic-alpine mountain environment, with tundra-like characteristics and long-lasting snow patches which is why we only have one date in 2025 and it’s mid summer.

And while there are no glaciers, snow can fall in any month of the year, and snow patches usually persist all summer – so layers are your friend for this ride!  And as there are no roads that traverse the area – for the week, it will be you and your horse and this completely pristine landscape – utterly perfect in our opinion!

Date:  July 19-26, 2025
Rate:  $5,275.00 USD or 3885£ per person in a shared room (Single supplement:  $655.00 USD or 480£)

NOTE:  Riders are encouraged to help with the morning routine of catching, feeding, grooming and saddling their horse.

Included

  • 7 days of guided riding
  • 1 free day to relax or sightsee
  • 7 nights accommodation
  • All meals except lunch on the free day
  • Horse and all tack
  • Luggage transfers during the week
  • All local taxes

Not Included

  • Airfare
  • Travel Insurance
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Lunch on the free day
  • Transfers to/from the start/end of the ride
  • Gratuities for the team at the end of the ride

Pre Day

You'll want to arrive to Aberdeen the day prior to the start of the trail. If you need help with hotel recommendations let us know or you can certainly use TripAdvisor, which we've found super helpful.

A cab to the start of the ride tomorrow is needed and we can try to look for a shared one for you with other riders.

Day 1: Murley to Glen Esk: 15 Miles

We start our ride at our secluded riding centre set in the heart of Royal Deeside. The trail takes us up through heather and bracken as we leave the rolling hills and farmland of Aberdeenshire behind.

The trail winds its way through Caledonian pine forest as we venture to the Forest of Birse.

Day 2: Glen Esk to Glen Muick: 17 miles

The scenery gets much wilder today as we ride into the glens, past the Queens Well where Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were refreshed by the spring water.

We then ride on through the hills high on to the shoulder of Mount Keen, the most easterly of the Munros (mountains over 3000ft or 914 metres) a cone shaped hill, rising above vast swathes of empty, bleak moorland with extensive views on a good day.

We drop down into Glen Tanar, then climb again for more stunning views, before descending into Glen Muick, where we finish for the night.

n the distance, we see a majestic castle peaking out between the trees. The terrain opens in front of us and ahead our trail can be seen climbing up over the hill pass. IHere, we pick up the Fungle road which is an ancient right of way that connects Aboyne to the Angus glens. It was one of the most important mounth roads in the area and was frequented by cattle drovers and whisky smugglers alike. Our path gradually gets smaller and small rivers cross the path in front of us as we get higher. The view below is absolutely breathtaking, with uninterrupted views over Glencat and beyond. In the distance, we can see the small hill where we started in the morning. Keep an eye out for soaring eagles above as we reach the top of the hill pass. We descend into Glen Esk.

Day 3: Glen Muick to Glen Doll: 21 miles

We head back into the forest, this time following the river as it tumbles it’s way to Ballater. We have lunch at the head of Loch Muick, before climbing again high above the loch for stunning views all around. The views are absolutely amazing from the top of the trail – one of our favorite views in Scotland!

We dismount to descent on a steep stalkers path, then drive out to spend the night at Glen Doll. A good day to look out for Eagles and Red Deer today!

Day 4: Glen Doll to Ballater: 15 miles

Taking the ancient, Capel Mounth trail, we climb high onto the hills following a high level trail just below the ridge of the hangmans hill.

We ride beneath Lochnagar with it’s towering crags, then descend to the forest of Balmoral Estate, the King's summer residence.

We spend the night at Ballater.

Day 5: Day at Leisure

Today is a well earned day off! Guests can explore the local craft shops, stroll by the river or go to visit Balmoral Castle (the King's residence in Scotland.)

Day 6: Ballater to Braemar: 24 miles

We ride today on good trails through the forests beside the river on Royal Deeside, riding through Balmoral Estate to the pretty village of Braemar, then on to beautiful Mar Lodge, where we leave the ponies for the night.

We head into Braemar for the night.

Day 7: Braemar to Glenmore: 21 miles

We start our day riding through pretty Glen Lui with it’s native pine forests, watching for Black Grouse, before climbing high into the hills. The path gets rockier as we ride through the pass before we climb again, high onto Bynack with it’s alpine tundra flora and fauna – look out for Ptarmigan in amongst the hoards of Red Grouse!

The views up here are stunning and far reaching and we eventually descend to the Ryvoan pass with it’s mysterious, deep green fairy loch before finishing our ride at Glenmore.

We transport everyone to Aviemore where we spend a final night together.

Day 8: Glenmore to Aviemore: 12 miles

We ride through the beautiful Caledonian pine forests of Glenmore, beside tumbling streams and pretty lochs (including Loch an Eilean with its’s castle on an island) and finish about mid-afternoon, taking our guests back to Aviemore, from where there are good bus and train links to all major Scottish cities and beyond.