Cairngorm Lodge Youth Hostel

About About this youth hostel

Cairngorm Lodge Youth Hostel is a former shooting lodge in the heart of Cairngorms National Park, seven miles from Aviemore with stunning views towards the Northern Corries.

Recently refurbished, this hostel offers a range of comfortable private rooms and spacious shared dorms all with separate washrooms. Guests can opt for a continental breakfast, lunch or evening meal served in the dining room (please remember to pre-book), or take advantage of the large, well-equipped self-catering kitchen.

The hostel is licensed so why not relax and enjoy a locally brewed beer or a glass of wine in the cosy lounge while taking in the view across the Cairngorms. Other facilities include a pool table, laundry, drying room and secure bike store. Basic provisions, confectionery and soft drinks are available to purchase at reception.

Due to the hostel’s remote location, WiFi is free but access is limited.

Local activities include hillwalking, climbing, snowsports, mountain biking, pony trekking, watersports and fishing. Most activities take place on the Rothiemurchus Estate, a fabulous area with many easy paths through the Caledonian Pine Forest. The Scottish Whisky Trail is also nearby and, for something different, visit the Reindeer Centre, where you can feed and learn about these friendly free-roaming animals.

The hostel sits across the road from the banks of Loch Morlich, which boasts the highest sandy beach
in the UK.

Cairngorm Lodge is a dog-friendly hostel. If you would like to book yourself and your dog into the hostel, please phone the hostel direct on +44 (0) 1479 861 238 to check availability. There is a small charge of £5 per night for your dog when staying in our hostels.

Please note: Dogs are allowed in the common room/lounge

The hostel is also available for exclusive private rental.

For information on hostel accessibility please click here

We’re committed to delivering the highest levels of cleanliness. To find out more about our Cleanliness Commitment please click here.

Book with Confidence. To find out more about our Covid-19 Flexibility Guarantee, please click here.

Why stay?

Fantastic location in the Cairngorm National Park
Friendly, welcoming staff
Great food
Secure lockers and Luggage Store
Private rooms available

Enjoy a bird's eye trip!

For information on our COVID-19 practices and what to expect when staying with us please visit the FAQ’s section. Please also be aware of Scottish Government guidance when making your booking.

Based on guest review ratings

Glenmore, Aviemore PH22 1QY Get Directions

+44 (0) 1479 861 238

cairngormlodge@hostellingscotland.org.uk

Facilities & Services

Season

January to October (RentaHostel available all year)

Reception Hours

07:00-10:00 and 17:00-22:30 (23:00 at weekends)

Check in

17:00 - 22.30

Check out

07.00 - 10:00

Access Hours

Late arrival is by pre-arrangement only

Amenities

Pet Dogs Welcome

Free Wifi

Private Rooms

Family Rooms

Suitable for Groups

Lounge Area

Cafe

Alcohol Licence

Laundry Room

Drying Room

Shopping Nearby

Pool Table

Secure Lockers

Luggage Store

Bike Store

Access with limited mobility

Suitable for wheelchair users with assistance

Free Parking (nearby or onsite)

Catering Available (Full Meal Service)

Free Tea and Coffee in Guest Kitchen

Guest Reviews

07/05/22

A Lovely stay at Cairngorm lodge located in a wonderful space surrounded by mountains and trees. Modern and clean facilities to make the stay enjoyable. Great for exploring the many trails.

Joel

05/05/22

Great place, nicest crew! Tidy and clean common areas, good showers, amazing location. All the amenities you can think of. The staff was helpful and accommodating. Great vibe. Will come back!

Max

05/05/22

Great facilities and value for money - friendly staff and couldn't be more helpful

Chris B

03/05/22

Its a nice and clean hostel. The people were nice. They had a good and varied choice of food even for dinner!

Daniela Kunz

02/05/22

Great location for a hostel. Staff were really friendly and helpful. Dinner and continental breakfast were good value.The Drying room was ace after a wet day cycling in the rain. We're already planning on visiting again.

M Brown

02/05/22

Friendly welcome. Great location and drying room.

Swim coach

23/04/22

Superb location by Loch Morlich and wonderful walking direct from hostel. Staff very friendly.

Anne

22/04/22

Booked as a private stay. Great location. Friendly staff. Left to ourselves for the weekend which was great but knew how to contact staff if needed. Comfortable rooms. Lots of bathrooms with plenty of hot water. Drying room not needed but good large well heated space. And good sized kitchen. Lovely dining room conservatory to sit in the sunshine. Have stayed here many times and will come back again.

Harriet

15/04/22

Had a couple of nights at Cairngorm Lodge over the Easter period. YH is in a great location with easy access to walking, watersports, skiing etc. Staff were really friendly and helpful and evening meals were excellent. Would definitely visit again. ??

Colin

15/04/22

Professional friendly and very helpful staff. Spotlessly clean. A perfect spot to explore with mountain bikes. Loved every minute.

Antonia Eastwood

11/04/22

As a family of 4 and our first youth hostel experience it was fantastic! Friendly staff, clean , welcoming and amazing location

Baker

20/03/22

We had a great stay at Cairngorm Lodge Hostel. It is extremely well situated for mountain activities in Cairngorm has a lovely loch and pub nearby. The hostel is cosy and has an excellent drying room, kitchen and lovely fire.

Oxford University Mountaineering Club

01/11/21

We took the lodge to celebrate my 70th birthday, mostly family and a few friends. Family came from Dublin, Stavanger, Orkney, Cambridge, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Doune, Macduff to make it a magnificent event. The location is stunning with Loch Morlich a short walk from the hostel. Some of the hardier members swam in the loch (I was not among them). Everyone agreed it was well worth the journey and we may do it again.

Sheila G

20/10/21

A brilliant hostel in the most fantastic location in the Cairngorms. Bedrooms and toilet/shower facilities have been upgraded to a great standard. Apart from the huge dining area there are three spacious lounge areas for socialising. A drying room that is second to none.

Pawira

16/10/21

Great location, friendly staff and lots of space. The evening meals are excellent value.

E thomson

05/10/21

Amazing hostel, really great location, the staff were really helpful and the area is beyond beautiful. Couldn't ask for more!

Chris and Seher Stott

28/09/21

This is a wonderful hostel in a gorgeous location. The staff were very welcoming and friendly. Will keep coming back.

Margot T

27/09/21

Brilliant youth hostel, very clean, modern facilities, excellent shower and bathroom. Plenty of parking and a bike/ski locker if needed. Can't fault it, will definitely come again.

Michael

26/09/21

Friendly welcoming staff who genuinely care about what they are doing and made it a great (short) stay but it'd make me want to return there!

20/09/21

I stayed here with friends for two nights. The room was clean and the beds were surprisingly comfortable. We ate in the restaurant both nights and found the food delicious and good value for money. Although the self-catering facilities were closed due to COVID-19, hot water and tea and coffee were available.A beautiful location and a perfect place to stay, even for a group of friends who are young at heart, if not in age!

Lady Eleanor

15/09/21

The room and facilities in the hostel were all spotless clean,new bathrooms were fitted which was great to see they are modern and the power shower was excellent. The staff were very friendly and accommodating.

Marta

12/09/21

Nice and clean. Friendly staff. A decent breakfast before a day's walking too.

AMRen

05/09/21

Very nice hostel, clean, friendly staff, perfect location for walks and water sports. Definitely will be back again.

Mike

04/09/21

Lovely stay, staff were wonderful.

Fran tastic

31/08/21

Great location, friendly staff. A very good idea to have tea and coffee freely available in reception Very nice lounge.

Philip Benson

10/08/21

Excellent hostel in a great location. COVID restrictions limit things a little bit (communal kitchen, washing, etc) but apart from that we had an excellent stay.

Surrey Hills Running Club

10/08/21

Great place to stay. Staff were very helpful; room was clean and food good. What more do you want?

Sean Tarver

08/08/21

Cairngorm lodge is a great hostel in a wonderful location. My daughter's first stay at the SYHA and she can't wait to return.

Scottyinmacc

06/08/21

Very helpful and friendly staff, coping well with the restrictions caused by Covid. Good evening meals.

Anne

01/08/21

Fantastic stay in beautiful hostel. Lovely private room with double bed, friendly staff, smart private bathroom. Amazing location.

Reasons to visit

Cairngorm Lodge Youth Hostel sits within the Cairngorms National Park, voted one of the top 20 places to visit in the world by National Geographic Traveller Magazine. The park, in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, has something for everyone - from castles and distilleries to family attractions, water and snowsports, wildlife watching, and some incredible high and low level walking and cycling routes.

Visit the Cairngorm Reindeer Herd, sample a craft beer at the Cairngorm Brewery, discover Loch Morlich and the highest sandy beach in Britain and explore the Craigellachie National Nature Reserve.

Cairngorm Lodge is the perfect location for families, groups and individuals looking to take advantage of this natural playground.