The Scottish national park known for its wildlife, hiking, and night skies has been named one of Europe’s top autumn destinations.
A Scottish national park famed for its diverse wildlife, breathtaking hiking trails, and dazzling night skies has been named one of Europe’s top autumn travel destinations.
Europe is endlessly surprising. In just a few hours, travellers can move from volcanoes to oceans, Alpine peaks to Arctic islands, white-sand beaches to glaciers, and vine-covered valleys to golden-stoned Mediterranean cities.
Whether planning a road trip, a train journey, a city break, or a hike into a national park, the continent offers a remarkable mix of landscapes and experiences.
Among the destinations highlighted by Lonely Planet this autumn is the Cairngorms National Park in Scotland.
Covering 4,528 square kilometres, more than twice the size of the Lake District, the Cairngorms, which Lonely Planet said is where Highlands ‘take a wild turn’, stretch from Aviemore in the north to the Angus Glens in the south, and from Dalwhinnie in the west to Ballater and Royal Deeside in the east.
This vast expanse of Highlands features Scots pine forests, glistening lochs, rugged peaks, and sweeping glens, providing ample space to explore in all seasons.
Visitors can hike in the summer, ski across snowy slopes in winter, or encounter the UK’s only free-ranging herd of reindeer on a hill trip.
For those seeking high-altitude adventure, Cairn Gorm at 1,245 metres and Ben Macdui at 1,309 metres, two classic munros, offer sweeping views across the park.
Wildlife enthusiasts can spot red squirrels and capercaillie in the Rothiemurchus Estate’s Caledonian pine forest.
For a touch of royal history, Balmoral Castle, built in 1855 for Queen Victoria, offers a glimpse of Scotland’s Baronial architecture and the lavish ballroom featuring Landseer paintings and royal silver.
While the main residence remains private, the grounds provide insight into Highland estate management.
Star-gazers should not miss the Cairngorms Dark Sky Park near Tomintoul and Glenlivet in the north, where meteor showers, shooting stars, the Milky Way, and even the northern lights may be visible.
The park’s funicular railway is its most popular attraction, taking visitors from the Coire Cas car park to the Cairngorm plateau at 1,085 metres in just eight minutes.
At the top, an exhibition, shop, and restaurant await. Environmental regulations restrict free exploration beyond the station during summer, but guided walks are available.
From May to October, a 90-minute guided walk to the summit of Cairn Gorm departs twice daily, while a four-hour guided hill walk runs four days a week at £21.60 per person.
Other European locations highlighted by Lonely Planet for autumn travel include:
- Swiss National Park, Switzerland – best for Alpine hikes
- Stromboli, Italy – best for volcanic drama
- Ring of Kerry, Ireland – best for coastal views
- The Azores, Portugal – best for remote island escapes
- Hohe Tauern National Park, Austria – best for mountain road trips
- Black Forest, Germany – best for fairytale appeal
- Lofoten Islands, Norway – best for Arctic drama
- Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia – best for crashing waterfalls and lakes
- Loire Valley, France – best for riverside château-hopping
- Parque Nacional del Teide, Tenerife – best for volcanic highs and dark skies
- Ionian Islands, Greece – best for island hopping
- Stockholm, Sweden – best for waterfront city life
- Lake Bohinj, Slovenia – best for lakeside beauty
- Valletta, Malta – best for daydreamers
