NO2092 : The north side of Meall Alvie

Meall Alvie

560m Elevation
210m Prominence
Scotland Country
Find walking friends Explore routes

Good walks are even better shared.

NO2092 : The north side of Meall Alvie

Nigel Corby Photo source

Explore routes near Meall Alvie

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Loch Kinord: Muir of Dinnet Woodland Circuit

6.4 km ~2h 30m Moderate

View route

Rothiemurchus: Beaver Trail and Lochan Mor

6.1 km ~2h 30m Moderate

View route

Aviemore: Loch an Eilein and the Croft Track from Rothiemurchus

11.3 km ~3h 30m Moderate

View route

Potarch to Shooting Greens: Deeside Way return

7.9 km ~2h 45m Moderate

View route

Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

North Face Approach

A relatively straightforward ascent that offers stunning views of the surrounding area. Starting from the car park, this route follows a clear path up the northern face.

4.5 km ~2.5 hours Moderate

Southern Ridge Route

A more challenging climb that takes you along the southern ridge, providing panoramic views over the valleys below.

5 km ~3.5 hours Challenging
Browse more walks on the map

Make a day of it, together

Find someone to share the walk with, or organise a day out along a route you like.

Find walking friends Plan a walk here
Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Marilyn Dodd Highland Five

Elevation

560m

1,838 ft

Prominence

210m

Coordinates

57.0115, -3.3133

NO203919

OS Map

44

Explorer: OL53N OL58S 388N 404S

At the Summit

The summit is marked by a small stone cairn and offers vast views of the surrounding landscape, making it an excellent picnic spot—weather permitting, of course.

Terrain & Geology

Rocky and grassy with some sections of boggy patches; proper footwear is recommended.

Meall Alvie is primarily composed of granite, which gives it a rugged look and makes it a little unstable in some areas after rain. The weathering has created striking formations that are a photographer's delight.

Views & Scenery

From the summit, you can admire the stunning expanse of the Cairngorms, the shimmering waters of Loch Alvie, and, on a clear day, even the distant peaks of the Monadhliath Mountains.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

The name 'Meall' is Gaelic for 'hill' or 'knoll', and 'Alvie' may derive from the old Norse for 'river bank'. Essentially, you've got a hill by the river bank—can't get more classic than that.

Historical Significance

Not only is Meall Alvie known for its natural beauty, but it also has a fair share of local legends concerning the spirits of the hills, though modern hikers are typically more inclined towards trail snacks than tales of the supernatural.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

There is ample parking available at the Gynack Burn car park (NO204913). Make sure to arrive early on weekends, as it can get crowded.

Public Transport

The nearest railway station is Aviemore, from where you can take a bus or taxi to the trailhead.

Nearby Facilities

You can find a couple of cafes and restaurants in Aviemore, along with public toilets. Just remember, the great outdoors tends to offer fewer facilities than a bustling city!

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Loose rocks, potential for sudden weather changes, and boggy ground in low-lying areas make for some tricky encounters—nothing like the great outdoors to keep you on your toes!

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Meall Alvie?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Meall Alvie through the maps

Are there other walkers around Meall Alvie?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Meall Alvie search or of course create your own walk for Meall Alvie

Can I organise a walk to Meall Alvie?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Meall Alvie.

How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Meall Alvie?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Meall Alvie here

The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible

Location

View the hill's mapped position and surrounding paths.

Grid reference: NO203919

View on OpenStreetMap

Opens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.

Nearby Hills

Lochnagar - Cac Carn Beag

1,156m

Ben Avon - Leabaidh an Daimh Bhuidhe

1,172m

Driesh

948m

Bynack More

1,090m

Beinn Mheadhoin

1,183m
See 5 more nearby hills