Glenisla Forest, a region in Scotland, is situated on the southern edge of the Cairngorms National Park. The landscape features rolling hills, dense forests, and a network of scenic lochs and rivers, including Loch Shandra, Auchintaple Loch, and the Backwater Reservoir. This diverse terrain, ranging in elevation from 250 to 689 meters above sea level, provides a varied environment for several sports like hiking, mountain biking, jogging, road cycling, and more. The forest is primarily composed of Sitka Spruce, with…
69
Routes
4.5
(56)
Average rating
673
People visited

4.5
(6)
24
hikers
17.6km
04:46
250m
250m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.9
(7)
20
hikers
7.06km
02:00
160m
160m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(4)
41
hikers
6.65km
01:55
170m
170m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(2)
20
hikers
6.91km
01:48
50m
50m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.0
(3)
7
riders
35.1km
03:14
820m
820m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

3.8
(5)
88
riders
26.3km
03:02
880m
880m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
riders
39.6km
04:50
1,540m
1,540m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

6
riders
16.4km
01:54
590m
590m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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2
runners
33.7km
04:51
1,290m
1,290m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

18
runners
7.93km
00:54
190m
190m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

14
runners
6.91km
00:43
50m
50m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

14
runners
25.2km
03:22
840m
840m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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46
riders
25.6km
02:59
830m
830m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

6
riders
18.4km
01:12
240m
240m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

7
riders
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5
riders
36.3km
02:29
480m
480m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
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5.0
(3)
18
riders
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

22
riders
78.1km
03:47
920m
920m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

12
riders
114km
05:25
1,280m
1,280m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

12
riders
101km
04:42
1,140m
1,140m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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5.0
(2)
3
riders
57.3km
03:46
800m
800m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3
riders
13.8km
00:52
210m
210m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.0
(1)
2
riders
68.5km
04:32
1,070m
1,070m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Glenisla Forest offers a variety of outdoor activities including Hiking, Mountain biking, Jogging, Road cycling, Touring cycling, and Gravel biking. The diverse landscape provides routes for different skill levels and preferences. More than 9,000 visitors have explored routes in this region.
Glenisla Forest features a network of hiking trails, from easy strolls to more challenging treks. Examples include the Backwater Reservoir loop, which is about 3.5 miles (5.7 km). For more options, consult the Hiking around Glenisla Forest guide.
Yes, Glenisla Forest provides mountain biking opportunities, including routes that incorporate parts of the Cateran Trail. Trails vary in difficulty, such as the 24-mile (38.5 km) Backwater Reservoir loop. Detailed routes are available in the MTB Trails around Glenisla Forest guide.
Glenisla Forest offers routes for road cycling, touring cycling, and gravel biking. Road cyclists can find mostly well-paved surfaces with rewarding views, while gravel biking routes, like the Glenisla Forest Gravel Bike Meander, are designed to avoid public roads. Explore options in the Cycling around Glenisla Forest guide.
Yes, Glenisla Forest includes routes suitable for families, offering easier options for walks and rides. The Glenisla Forest Gravel Bike Meander is noted as a family-friendly cycling itinerary. More specific options can be found in the Family-friendly hikes around Glenisla Forest guide.
Glenisla Forest has trails suitable for beginners, including easy strolls through the forest landscape. These routes provide accessible options for those new to outdoor activities. Refer to the Easy hikes around Glenisla Forest guide for more information.
Glenisla Forest features several natural attractions, including Loch Shandra, Auchintaple Loch, and the Backwater Reservoir. The dramatic Reekie Linn waterfall is also located nearby. The landscape is characterized by rolling hills, dense woodlands, and various burns.
Specific parking locations for trails in Glenisla Forest are typically detailed within individual route descriptions. Visitors should check the starting points of their chosen routes for information on available parking facilities. This ensures convenient access to the trailheads.
Dogs are generally permitted on trails in Glenisla Forest, but responsible dog ownership is expected. This includes keeping dogs under control, especially near livestock or wildlife, and cleaning up after them. Adhering to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code is recommended.
Public transport options to Glenisla Forest may be limited, but some routes are accessible from bus stations. Visitors can explore hiking options that start near public transport hubs. Consult the Hikes from bus stations around Glenisla Forest guide for relevant routes.
Routes in Glenisla Forest are popular among komoot users, with more than 9,000 visitors having explored the area. The available routes have received an average rating of 4.56 out of 5 stars from over 700 ratings. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among users.
Komoot offers several guides for Glenisla Forest, covering various activities and interests. These include Hiking around Glenisla Forest, MTB Trails around Glenisla Forest, and Family-friendly hikes around Glenisla Forest. Other guides focus on cycling, running, and accessible routes.
Glenisla Forest is managed by Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS), specifically their East Region. For inquiries, contact FLS East Region via email at enquiries.east@forestryandland.gov.scot or by telephone at 0300 067 6380. Their official website is forestryandland.gov.scot/angusglens.

