Cairngorm Lodge
About About this youth hostel
Set in the heart of Cairngorms National Park with views over the Northern Corries, this award winning youth hostel is only seven miles from Aviemore and a short walk from the banks of Loch Morlich, with the highest sandy beach in the UK.
Cairngorm Lodge Youth Hostel offers a wide range of comfortable private rooms and shared dorms all with separate washrooms. Other facilities include: a well-equipped self-catering kitchen, two comfortable lounges, pool table, laundry, drying room and a 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 for all guests but access is limited due to the hostel location.
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 £7.50 per night for your dog when staying in our hostels.
‘Wee’ and Full Breakfast available along with Evening Meals (please remember to pre-book your breakfast).
The hostel is also available for exclusive private rental.
Why stay?
- Award Winning Youth Hostel in Cairngorms National Park
- Seven miles from Aviemore with a regular bus service
- Walking distance from Loch Morlich
- Friendly team with expert local knowledge
- Dog Friendly
- Great for families and outdoor enthusiasts
- Licensed café bar, serving coffee, local beers and wine
For more information on the hostel, accessibility and the local area please click here
Cairngorm Lodge Youth Hostel
Facilities & Services
Season
March 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
Private Rooms
Suitable for Groups
Alcohol Licence
Catering
Drying Room
Free Parking (limited on-site) p
Guest Kitchen
Free Wifi
Laundry Room
Lounge Area
Lounge/TV Room
Pool Table
Towel Hire
Secure Lockers
Packed Lunches Available
Bike Store
Guest Reviews
09/06/2025
A very good stay. I will returnNO
08/06/2025
Excellent stay with friendly helpful staff. Really comfortable rooms and the breakfast was really nice. Will stay againCarl James
03/06/2025
Great place to stay - comfortable and welcoming, even a pool table in the lounge! And a great selection of cairngorm beers which was nice when the pub opposite was closed.Jenny
02/06/2025
We had a wonderful stay at the hostel. It has beautiful views, wonderfully comfortable inside with great facilities and lovely very helpful staff! We will be back!Kirstin
02/06/2025
Amazing value for money and facilities. Dinner was great.Yes
28/05/2025
As a multi day hiker, this is a perfect refuge. They have showers, food, drying facilities, places to relax in and most importantly a dry comfortable place to sleep in, that's all I'd want after a few days of hiking.Yegor Krasilnykov
28/05/2025
The bunks all have two USB sockets and LEDs and the dorms have a number of sockets with built-in USB charging points. The combined shower+toilet rooms are very new and clean, and a pleasure to use at the end of a hard day on the hills. The loos would benefit from paper towels. The showers definitely need racks for soap & shampoo.Colin
26/05/2025
Great location with a very enthusiastic & helpful team of helpers. Many thanks to all.Richard Macgowan.
20/05/2025
Fab location , facilities, staff & ambience !!Eileen
19/05/2025
Excellent experience as ever.Simon
19/05/2025
Great hostel - ticks every box. Good value. Excellent facilitiesKHall
19/05/2025
Very good hostel, with lots of history, close to mountains and beaches. Do need access to a car.Dave
15/05/2025
Absolutely stunningMorag
15/05/2025
Excellent overall, comfortable good YHJohn
12/05/2025
A wonderful place for a weekend break.Glen
12/05/2025
Great location and helpful staffElaine
11/05/2025
Nice stay in Cairngorm youth hostel.Sandrine
10/05/2025
We were a group of 55 staying 3 nights and we had a wonderful time. The staff were very friendly and helpful.Peter
05/05/2025
Will definitely return to this hostel againMichael D
04/05/2025
A fab building in a great location with friendly staff and quality food. Dorms are basic but each bed has own light & recharge point and the tartan covers on chairs give a cosy touch. Great views.Eileen
03/05/2025
A lovely hostel, with staff who clearly enjoy working there. Great meals at a very reasonable price.C M
02/05/2025
Friendly staff at a good locationrichtea
28/04/2025
Very friendly atmosphere in the hostel with welcoming staff. The facilities are great and have improved over the years since our first stay there in 2012. The accommodation was well suited to our group of 10 Scouts and 4 leaders. A super base for a weekend of hiking and biking in the local area.Alistair, Scout Leader
26/04/2025
The staff, facilities and location with so many activities and walks nearby make this an excellent base for an outdoor holiday. The hostel is clean and well managed. We've been two years in a row now. Would recommend highly.Vic
26/04/2025
First experience staying in a UK hostel, and definitely would do it again! The location was top-notch, with easy access to public transport and loads and loads of incredible walks, wildlife, and scenery. The kitchen was excellent, large and clean. However, I imagine it could get a bit more crowded in the height of summer. There was a lovely friendly atmosphere amongst all the guests, and plenty of space to either relax alone or chat to othersAlice
26/04/2025
Perfect experienceLacombe
23/04/2025
It's a lovely hostel, sorry couldn't stay longer but the hostel had two big groups coming in the day I left. A very friendly place and that tone is set by the staff, all of whom are just great and appreciate the outdoors themselves.Mumbles Head
22/04/2025
Overall, we enjoyed the facilities and appreciated the location. One note would be that the term “youth” hostel should be taken with a pinch of salt. We felt a bit out of place playing pool in the common room surrounded by large families sat in silence. I would not recommend this hostel for the social aspect - but for the facilities/quality of hostel and the great location.Ben
21/04/2025
aceKeith
21/04/2025
Excellent experience overall. The bathrooms were fantastic. They appear recently renovated and spotless. Despite a very full hostel it was quiet. The catered breakfast was very generous, would fully recommend.Cairngorm runner
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.
WoofHostelling in the Cairngorms
Enjoy a bird's eye trip!