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
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
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
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
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
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
18/04/2025
Amazing location, very peaceful with access to beautiful walks and scenery. Close to Loch Morlich, one of my favourite placesMargot Toussaint
18/04/2025
Amazing location, very peaceful with access to beautiful walks and scenery. Close to Loch Morlich, one of my favourite placesMargot Toussaint
18/04/2025
Such a brilliant hostel in such a beautiful location. Has everything you need.Kate
18/04/2025
Such a brilliant hostel in such a beautiful location. Has everything you need.Kate
15/04/2025
Enjoyable short walking break with son and dogRoberto
15/04/2025
Enjoyable short walking break with son and dogRoberto
06/04/2025
Perfect stay with 2 small kids. Brilliant walking trails n loch Morlich on the doorstep…. Amazing. Recommend Pine Martin bar across the road for relaxed food n drink too.Fine
06/04/2025
Perfect stay with 2 small kids. Brilliant walking trails n loch Morlich on the doorstep…. Amazing. Recommend Pine Martin bar across the road for relaxed food n drink too.Fine
06/04/2025
Love it. Friendly staff. Good bed with plugs. Showers good. Staff friendly.Food in the kitchen great. Location is 10/10. Thats my second stay, cant wait for number 3.BrownBread
06/04/2025
Love it. Friendly staff. Good bed with plugs. Showers good. Staff friendly.Food in the kitchen great. Location is 10/10. Thats my second stay, cant wait for number 3.BrownBread
05/04/2025
We enjoyed our stay here. The welcome from the staff was very friendly, the location near Loch Morlich beach excellent, and the rooms and shower facilities comfortable and modern. We would recommend.James
05/04/2025
We enjoyed our stay here. The welcome from the staff was very friendly, the location near Loch Morlich beach excellent, and the rooms and shower facilities comfortable and modern. We would recommend.James
28/02/2025
We rented the hostel for our wedding and it was the perfect location. Mark and his team were so helpful with our planning questions and on the day. We've stayed here a few times now and as usual, it is always, comfortable, cosy and an excellent location.Elizabeth and Matt
28/02/2025
We rented the hostel for our wedding and it was the perfect location. Mark and his team were so helpful with our planning questions and on the day. We've stayed here a few times now and as usual, it is always, comfortable, cosy and an excellent location.Elizabeth and Matt
15/01/2025
Always an awesome weekend. Mark is lovely and always helpful.Yes
15/01/2025
Always an awesome weekend. Mark is lovely and always helpful.Yes
26/11/2024
Booked out Cairngorm Lodge for my 30th - absolutely brilliant! Mark gave a great intro to the hostel and was always at the end of the phone if we had any queries. Brilliant facilities, so much space and the kitchen is wonderfully equipped - you name it, they have it! Despite the inbound mega storm and serious snow, we had great access and the snow on the drive/path to hostel was cleared too. Impressed at how warm the hostel was kept during the wintery weekend! Thanks for having us!LH
26/11/2024
Booked out Cairngorm Lodge for my 30th - absolutely brilliant! Mark gave a great intro to the hostel and was always at the end of the phone if we had any queries. Brilliant facilities, so much space and the kitchen is wonderfully equipped - you name it, they have it! Despite the inbound mega storm and serious snow, we had great access and the snow on the drive/path to hostel was cleared too. Impressed at how warm the hostel was kept during the wintery weekend! Thanks for having us!LH
18/11/2024
This is a lovely hostel nestled right under the Cairngorms. The manager, Mark, was really helpful, and the rooms were great.Barney
18/11/2024
This is a lovely hostel nestled right under the Cairngorms. The manager, Mark, was really helpful, and the rooms were great.Barney
12/11/2024
Absolutely magical stay. We came as the Edinburgh University Blue Tits society and our stay was perfect - in just a weekend we managed multiple sunrise and sunset swims, runs around the loch, hikes up nearby hills. The hostel was so clean with amazing showers to warm us up after our active days and great facilities to cook for 70. Could not recommend it enough.Evie Robson
12/11/2024
Absolutely magical stay. We came as the Edinburgh University Blue Tits society and our stay was perfect - in just a weekend we managed multiple sunrise and sunset swims, runs around the loch, hikes up nearby hills. The hostel was so clean with amazing showers to warm us up after our active days and great facilities to cook for 70. Could not recommend it enough.Evie Robson
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!