Thieves’ Road (Feshiebridge to Glen More) Show path on map
Start location: B970, Feshiebridge ( NH 852 043 )
End location: Cairngorm Road, Glen More ( NH 981 091 )
Geographical area: Cairngorms National Park
Path type: Rural Path
Path distance: 17km
Accessibility info: Suitable for bikes, Suitable for horses, Suitable for pedestrians
Route Description
From Feshiebridge, the original line of this track heads north-northwest and goes round a small gate onto a now disused section of road. Crossing the unclassified road it then enters a forest car park at NH853043. The main forest track is followed until reaching a junction at NH857045 and taking the left-hand track over the Moor of Feshie. At the next junction – NH863054 – take a right, heading east towards the hills. Follow this good forest road until a cairn is sighted at NH878056. The way forward is to the right of this cairn. The track narrows slightly at first and then becomes little more than a footpath as it descends to cross a small stream on a wooden bridge at NH882056. The track then rises and passes Inshriach (Drake’s) Bothy at NH883056. The path now becomes narrower and less well surfaced, crosses a shallow ford at NH888056 and heads northeast towards Loch Gamhna to a junction at NH893068. Taking a right here leads to the Loch an Eilein circular path at NH893071.
The Loch an Eilein path is very well-maintained, broad and mostly smooth. Heading east and then northeast, a bench and gate are reached at NH905077. This gate was unlocked at the time of survey and seems likely to remain so as Rothiemurchus Estate publicise this path as being “all-abilities”. The way to Glen More takes a right immediately after this gate and is signposted for Loch Morlich. The path remains mostly smooth with only occasional boulders and roots to be negotiated. A complicated junction is reached near NH915078 but the way to Loch Morlich is signposted. Lochan Deo is passed on the right. The track continues on until NH926077 and the Cairngorm Club footbridge. Crossing this bridge the track then becomes a little rougher as it heads southeast and then northeast to the junction known as Piccadilly at NH938075. Head straight across this junction to meet the access road for Rothiemurchus Lodge at NH949082.
Turn left onto this broad forest road until the junction at NH956093 is reached. Loch Morlich is just visible through the trees and there is a wooden marker pole signposting a Red route. The track is muddy hereabouts until the small wooden bridge at NH959089 and the junction thereafter. The track around the south shore of Loch Morlich is broad and well-surfaced, and is often pisted for cross-country skiers in the winter. Stay on this track past the junction at NH969089 and take a slight left at NH977088. The road to the ski area is reached at NH980091.
This path is suitable for cyclists. The rough track between the bothy and Loch Gamhna may require some caution, and it will be necessary to carry a bike up the steps to the Cairngorm Club footbridge.
This path is also suitable for horse riders. At the time of survey, the only gate encountered was unlocked and it should remain so. A shallow ford some 75m upstream of the Cairngorm Club footbridge can be used for the crossing of the Allt Druidh.
OS Landranger 36 (Grantown, Aviemore & Cairngorm area)
Heritage Information
This old route is said to have been used by cattle reivers heading for Glen Feshie and the south, hence the name. Details about the more northerly section of this Thieves Road (from Nethy Bridge to Glen More) can be found here.
