Reserve, much of which is Caledonian pine forest, home to roe deer, red deer, wildcats, red squirrels and crossbills. Lochindorb Shell of 14th-century castle, stronghold of Alexander Stewart, 'Wolf of Badenoch', who terrorised Moray lowlands, stands on island in middle of loch. Area has rolling heather landscape with peat stacks and boggy grassland. Loch Morlich Inland loch at foot of Cairn Gorm, surrounded by pine, birch, alder, willow and rowan trees. Lies mainly within Glenmore Forest Park.
Waymarked walks lead along the shoreline.
Osprey sometimes fish here. From Loch Morlich, the River Luineag rushes through banks of tall pines to Spey Valley. Tomintoul farm nearby reckoned to be highest in Britain. Nethy Bridge Village, hub of timber trade during 18th century, has Victorian hotel, remains of Norman castle, old stone cottages and bridge built in 1809. Now centre for skiing, fishing, walking and climbing.