Wilderness RetreatWilderness Walking

Trip Grade: Blue 4

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https://www.wildernessscotland.com/adventure-holidays/wilderness-walking/wilderness-retreat/https://www.wildernessscotland.com/adventure-holidays/wilderness-walking/wilderness-retreat/

The wilds of the Cairngorm National Park await you on this unique women’s only wilderness retreat. Based in a bright and airy Highland lodge that specialises in fresh, locally sourced seasonal food, you’ll get the chance to experience the magic of Scotland with like-minded women. Over the course of a week, you’ll enjoy exploring the varied landscape, learn and practice new wilderness skills, and challenge yourself in a friendly and supportive environment.

With a maximum group size of 8, this inspiring guided trip combines breathtakingly scenic hikes with mini adventures and acquiring new skills. From wild swimming and restorative yoga to foraging, navigation and rewilding, you’ll get the chance to take part in and share new experiences. Reconnect with nature and yourself against the backdrop of Scotland’s magical wild spaces alongside a fantastic group of women in the wild Cairngorms National Park.

Wilderness Retreat

Highlights

• Hike in the beauty of the Cairngorms National Park

• Try Wild Swimming in a sparkling mountain loch

• Connect with like-minded women in a supportive environment

• Learn new skills with your expert guide

• Recharge and invigorate yourself on this active retreat

PLEASE NOTE – The itinerary may be subject to change at the discretion of the Wilderness Scotland Guide with regard to weather conditions and other factors.

Book with confidence

• We guarantee this trip will run as soon as 3 people have booked

• Maximum of 8 places available per departure

Day 1 | Welcome To The Cairngorms
Day 2 | Wild Swimming In A Mountain Loch
Day 3 | Yoga & Navigation
Day 4 | Glen Feshie Rewilding - Full Day Hike
Day 5 | Rewilding the Highlands
Day 6 | Yoga & Wild Trails
Day 7 | Final Hike, Picnic Lunch & Depart

Planned It inerary

Arrival Info

• Your Guide will meet you at the entrance of Aviemore Railway Station

• 10.30am on Day 1 of your trip

Departure Info

• You will be returned to Aviemore Railway Station

• 11:00am on the final day of your trip

PLEASE NOTE – The itinerary may be subject to change at the discretion of the Wilderness Scotland Guide with regard to weather conditions and other factors.

Day 1 | Welcome To The Cairngorms

Meeting in the Highland town of Aviemore, we arrive ready to discover beautiful landscapes and share experiences with like-minded women. Over lunch, we chat about plans for the week before setting off on a local hike with fabulous views of the Strathspey valley and the Cairngorms Mountain range - the perfect introduction to our week in the UK's biggest national park. Arriving at our welcoming lodge accommodation we'll settle in and relax before dinner.  (L, D)

Walk details: 8.5km/5.25miles, ascent 543m/1782ft, approx 4.5 hours

Day 2 | Wild Swimming In A Mountain Loch

Much has been said about the exhilarating and transformative nature of wild swimming. We start our morning off at one of our favourite local lochs to discover this for ourselves. Led by a qualified local expert, we test the silky, fresh waters at the highest beach in Britain. Whether you prefer to just dip the toes in or plan on a full swim, you’ll have the chance to enjoy the level of challenge that feels right for you. Post-swim hot drinks and homemade cake are a must in order to warm up from the inside out. After the exhilaration of this morning, we'll enjoy a gentle hike through the native forest, hearing only bird songs, that your guide will identify and the breeze through the trees. The quiet atmosphere allows for a reflective afternoon before heading back to our lodge for a well-earned dinner. (B, L, D)

Walk details: 6.5km/4miles, ascent 222m/728ft, approx 2.5 hours.

Day 4 | Summiting Cairn Gorm

Today we'll head out on a full-day hike. The aim today is to summit Cairn Gorm Mountain. The 6th highest peak in the UK which has leant its name to the mountain range and national park. This hike will take us straight into a wild mountain environment. Passing under the impressive cliffs of the Northern Corries keep an eye out for wildlife including mountain hare, ptarmigan and the UK's only heard of reindeer which often graze here. A steady but significant climb takes us up and on us to the Cairngorm plateau, an arctic landscape. We'll enjoy incredible views to the surrounding mountain as well as sweeping panoramas of the Caladionan Pine forest and the mountains of the west coast in the distance. From here, we can pick our route, using our new-found navigation skills to find the best viewpoint of the remote Loch Avon before a final steeper climb takes us onto the summit of Cairn Gorm Mountain. This will be the most challenging day of the week but an incredibly rewarding one.B, L, D) 

Walk details: 11km/ 7miles, ascent 775m/ 2540 ft , approx. 6-7 hours

Day 3 | Yoga & Navigation

The wilderness surroundings of our lodge are the perfect backdrop in which to relax. Stretch out the kinks and release any tension in the body and mind this morning on a relaxing and accessible yoga session led by a local instructor. After lunch, it’s time to spread out our maps and chat navigation with your guide. Whether you're new to navigation or always carry a map and compass we'll spend the afternoon learning new skills and putting them into practice. You'll hone your technique as we adventure through the Cairngorms, feeling and following the contours and features of the map through our feet. (B, L, D)

Walk details: 9km/5.5miles, ascent 110m/361ft, approx 3 hours

Day 5 | Rewilding the Highlands

After a relaxed breakfast today we'll enjoy a morning hike in Glen Feshie, this glen is often overlooked by hikers but it is one of the most beautiful This area is also very special as it is the location of an innovative and ambitious rewilding initiative. Your guide will share some of the details of this flagship project that aims to restore the unique rich biodiversity in the Highlands. This is a long terms project, spanning generations but you will see for yourself how the work has already transformed the local landscape, flora and fauna. This afternoon you can choose from some different options depending. You may want to join your guide on a short hike to a small summit, visit the open-air Highland Folk Museum with their reconstructed dwellings detailing what life was like for Highlanders dating back to the 1700's. Alternatively, you may want to remain at the lodge to have a quiet afternoon to yourself to relax. (B, L, D)

Walk details: 6.5km/ 4miles , ascent 200m/655ft, approx. 2-2.5 hours

Day 6 | Yoga & Wild Trails

Enjoying another unwinding yoga session this morning, we stretch away any stiffness and enjoy an extended Savasana session to fully relax after a packed week. Out in the wild Cairngorms, we'll enjoy a final afternoon hike to soak in the beauty of these untamed vistas and reflecting on our week together. Over dinner tonight, we share our own insights and take the time to appreciate and celebrate the adventure. (B, L, D)

Walk details: 11km/6.75miles, ascent 775m/2543ft, approx 6.5 hours

Day 7 | Final Hike, Picnic Lunch & Depart

After a relaxed breakfast this morning we'll pack up and leave our Highland lodge. Invigorated, connected and with new friends, you'll depart the Cairngorms carrying memories of your adventure and the time you send in this ancient, wild landscape. (B)

Walk details: 5km/3miles, ascent 302m/991ft, approx 3 hours

Trip Grading | Blue 4 |

Green graded walking holidays are suitable for active travellers who are reasonably fit and enjoy moderate hikes. We walk at a comfortable pace and you can expect to be out for 5-6 hours a day. The terrain will be mostly good paths and hill trails but these can still be muddy and rough in places. Some hikes may involve an ascent up to a max of approx 1,500 feet / 450m. Distances will be typically 8-10km. Daily hike details are available in the itinerary.

The weather in Scotland can be unpredictable and at times can make activities more challenging. Please do bear this in mind when thinking about what trip to join.

If our guides feel that you are not able to complete a scheduled hike they may ask you not to join in that day. If you have any questions about the grading, then please do give our Adventure Consultants a call to chat through your experience and suitability for this trip.

It is your responsibility to ensure you are appropriately fit and capable of doing the described hikes in the expected times. Please refer to the grading section on our website for more details. If you are unsure we encourage you to speak to us first.

https://www.wildernessscotland.com/faq/trip-grading-explained/

Accommodation and Meals

This walking holiday enjoys accommodation in a private mountain lodge set in the beautiful surroundings of Glen Feshie. The area around the lodge has abundant wildlife to spot and the grass outside is grazed by Highland cattle.

Accommodation is a choice of double or twin rooms with ensuite facilities. Evening meals will be fully catered at the lodge each night and packed lunches provided for each day.

Single Rooms

There is no supplement charged to solo travellers, however, you may be required to share a room with another woman.

On this trip, we have 7 rooms available and a mix of doubles and twins. There is no supplement for single rooms as we have exclusive use of the lodge.

Solo occupancy rooms are allocated on a first come first served basis, please get in touch with our team to chat about availability.

Inclusions

This trip includes the following:

• 6 nights accommodation in a private wilderness lodge

• All meals during the trip, from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 7 
(Meals included indicated as B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)

• The services of an experienced and knowledgeable guide / driver throughout

• All transport throughout the trip starting and finishing in Aviemore

• 2 Yoga sessions with a qualified teacher

• Wild Swimming experience with qualified open water swim coach

Our All Inclusive trips include all accommodation, meals, guiding and travel during the trip. We do not include drinks or any gratuities you may choose to leave.

All Inclusive

Wilderness Scotland holidays never fail to deliver. We really appreciate the standard of guides and trip itineraries they provide. The holidays may seem expensive but we think it is worth it. Charlotte Chambers

“”

Our holidays reviewed in your words…

All Trip Reviews Here

https://www.wildernessscotland.com/about-us/reviews/

Your Guide

During this trip you will be accompanied and led by one of our professional guides. Our guides are among the most highly experienced and qualified in the country. Defined by their passion for Scotland’s wild places, they have an intimate knowledge of the natural and social history of this land which they will be delighted to share with you. For more info and to meet the team please see our Guide Pages.

Sustainable Travel

Wilderness Scotland is committed to the principles of ecotourism. We work very hard to ensure our engagements with local communities, wild lands and wildlife are positive.

We are a proud partner of the Leave No Trace Centre for Outdoor Ethics, which enhances our commitment to responsible activity in Scotland’s wild lands, as enshrined in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC).

We are also proud to be a John Muir Trust Peak Partner. Thanks in part to the generosity of our clients though our Conservation Contribution scheme the John Muir Trust can rely on our investment to go towards conservation projects that have a deep connection to Wilderness Scotland and the areas we adventure in.

You can learn more about the work we’re doing with the John Muir Trust and the other ways we care for the wild places we love here.

https://www.wildernessscotland.com/about-us/our-people/our-guides/https://www.wildernessscotland.com/about-us/sustainability/https://www.wildernessscotland.com/about-us/sustainability/

Eat | Stay | See

Looking for accommodation for before or after your adventure with us? 
Check out our list of where to stay and what to do

Eat – Stay – See – Aviemore.pdf

Equipment List

Check out our guide on what to wear when adventuring in Scotland.

wildernessscotland.com/blog/hiking-in-scotland-what-to-wear

General Info – Scotland

From food and drink to the Loch Ness Monster, our General Info for Scotland guide has got you covered for all your need to know facts.

General-Info-Scotland.pdf

https://www.wildernessscotland.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Eat-Stay-See-Aviemore.pdfhttps://www.wildernessscotland.com/blog/hiking-in-scotland-what-to-wear/https://www.wildernessscotland.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/General-Info-Scotland.pdf

Travel Insurance

It is your responsibility to take out appropriate travel insurance to cover you during your trip. This should include cover for cancellation prior to the trip, the activities undertaken (i.e hiking), curtailment, and adequate medical insurance for sickness/injury and medical repatriation. We also strongly recommend you have cover for your other travel arrangements such as flights, and your personal possessions.

We suggest you do your own research to find the best insurance cover for you however the follow companies offer suitable policies.

Campbell Irvine Direct – campbellirvinedirect.com 
Journeyman Insurance Services – journeyman-services.com/travelInsurance

If you cancel your holiday charges will apply. Please see section 2 of our terms 
and conditions for a breakdown: 
wildernessscotland.com/make-a-booking/booking-conditions

Travel With Confidence

You can book with us in complete confidence that all trip payments made to us are fully protected.

Wilderness Scotland Ltd is a licensed and bonded tour operator. Your financial security is guaranteed through our membership and bonding with ABTA.

https://www.campbellirvinedirect.com/cidirect_home.htmhttps://www.journeyman-services.com/travelInsurancehttp://www.wildernessscotland.com/make-a-booking/booking-conditions/

FAQs

Looking for more information? Check out our frequently asked questions page.

wildernessscotland.com/faq

Questions to Ask? Ready to Book?

If you want to get in touch please send us an email or give us a call. We accept bookings online, by email, or over the phone. A deposit of 25% is required at the time of booking to secure the trip with the balance payable 8 weeks (56 days) before departure. If booking less than 56 days before the trip start date, full payment of the trip price is required immediately.

We accept payment by credit or debit card, or bank transfer.

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email: info@wildernessscotland.com

Tel (UK and Europe): +44(0)1479 420 020

Tel (US and Canada): 866-740-3890

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