Developing Outdoor Access

Outdoor access and recreation in the Cairngorms National Park

The Cairngorms National Park Plan was approved by the Scottish Government on 15 March 2007. The Plan brings together all those involved in managing the Park to set out a 25 year  vision, a framework for management and priorities for action. It sets out how all sectors in the Park can work together to collectively achieve the four aims of the Park. The Plan identifies seven Priorities for Action, to be delivered over a five year period, from 2007-2012. Providing high quality opportunities for Outdoor Access is one of these seven priorities.

You can download the Cairngorms National Park Plan here.

The priority for action on high quality opportunities for outdoor access will be delivered through an Outdoor Access Strategy and Core Paths Plan.

Outdoor Access Strategy

The Cairngorms National Park Authority has developed an Outdoor Access Strategy for the National Park, which will act as a key implementation strategy for the National Park Plan. The Strategy, ‘Enjoying the Cairngorms – Outdoor Access Strategy 2007-2012’, was approved by the CNPA board on 2 March 2007. The Strategy will provide a framework for the creation, promotion and management of outdoor access opportunities from 2007 to 2012, both within the Park and with links to neighbouring areas.

Please click here to download Enjoying the Cairngorms – Outdoor Access Strategy 2007-2012.

Core Paths Plan

A further priority for outdoor access in the Cairngorms National Park is to produce a Core Paths Plan for the area.  To find out more about Core Paths Planning and how you can get involved visit the Core Paths Planning pages on this website.

Design Guidance for Directional Path Signs

This document provides design guidance for signs that people use to get around the path network in the Cairngorms National Park. The guidance is primarily about those signs that help people find out where a path goes and how far it is to the destination. Please click here to download the Design Guidance for Directional Path Signs.

Community Path Leaflets - Design Guidelines

Walking, and in particular short walks of one to five miles, is the most popular outdoor activity in the Cairngorms National Park. Providing good information about walks around communities encourages more people to use them. This guidance helps communities through the process of developing a path leaflet - showing what the community has to offer and encouraging responsible behaviour. Please click here to download the Community Path Leaflets - Design Guideline.

Cairngorms Outdoor Access Trust (COAT)

The Cairngorms Outdoor Access Trust (COAT) works to develop, improve, repair and promote path networks in the Cairngorms.  COAT is a company limited by guarantee with charitable status.  It came into being in April 2008 and evolved from the Upper Deeside Access Trust.  To find out more please visit the COAT website.