Paths and Outdoor Access in Moray
Routes with generally level paths and good surfaces. Typically 1 to 2 hours activity.
The Ancestor’s Trail meanders through the beautiful Oakwood part of which is an ancient semi natural wood.
The path surface is of woodland earth which can be muddy when wet and undulating with exposed tree roots.
Some steep parts, undulating terrain
The Elginia Trail is a circular route which starts from Leggat Car Park in Quarrelwood where there are picnic tables and sandstone plinths; also information leaflets from the Forestry Commission.
The path has a mixture of aggregate vehicle road and wooded earth paths which are undulating and can be muddy when wet.
Some steep parts, generally undulating terrain.
This is an ‘all abilities path’ through the Quarrelwood called The Spynie Trail. Approximately 2km long, the trail itself has a variety of short routes and also links into other path networks.
Horse users are asked to use the forest vehicle tracks to prevent damage to the ‘all abilities’ path.
This is a flat linear walk along the banks of the River Lossie. The paths are good and suitable for buggies. This is a pleasant riverside walk, along part of the specially constructed cyclepath. There is a café and also toilets in the Library and Leisure Centre. You can extend this walk by including the Cooper Park Walk.
This circular walk follows part of the National Cyclepath into Cooper Park. The surfaces are good and suitable for wheelchairs and buggies, although there is an incline on Waterside Street. There are toilets and refreshments in the Library, on the other side of the Park.
This circular walk takes you along quiet roads, which head out to the west of Elgin past some beautiful old buildings. The route is along good paths and roads, and is suitable for wheelchairs and buggies, although some of the route (Old Mills Road and Jock Inkson’s Brae) has no pavements and care is needed when walking along the road.
Take care on road sections without pavements.
Some gentle inclines / declines.
This circular walk follows a path round an area of unspoilt nature, with trees, ponds and wildlife in abundance. The path is good and suitable for wheelchairs and buggies in all weathers.
Some gravel paths and pavements.
The Elgin City Trail has a choice of locations to start from including a number of car parks and the main bus and train stations. Choose your own way of linking the historic features around Elgin.
The nature of this route being primarily on urban tarmac paths adjacent to roads makes it most suitable for walkers and less able users. Riverside Path section could be difficult for the less physically able because of uneven surface and steps.
This is a very picturesque and sheltered circular walk around a lake in the quiet and traffic free grounds of Gordon Castle. It is along a good, narrow track which can be a bit muddy in wet weather so wear appropriate footwear. Children love this walk, remember to take food for the ducks!
Can be muddy when wet.
This walk follows the Burn from one end of Fochabers to the other and back again. The track can be muddy in places if there has been a lot of rain. There are benches at the start and also beside the bridge at West Street.
Unsuitable for Wheelchairs and buggies, but can go as far as the viewing platform at the Famous Fochaberian Garden.
Gravel and earth paths, so can be muddy when wet. Can also be long grass and overhanging vegetation at the side of the path.
This walk starts in Fochabers Square and travels to the Winding Walks and back again.
Pavements and compacted earth path - sections can be muddy when wet.
This is a circular route on good paths with 1 steep road section at the start but then relatively flat. The walk is under a tree canopy most of the time. In autumn and winter the fallen leaves can be knee high! You can extend the walk by joining other paths round the hill.
Tarmac and gravel paths - can be muddy.
One steep road section, then generally level.
This is a pleasant circular route through parkland, on good paths around the park. There are places to rest in the park. In spring and summer the flowerbeds are very picturesque. In autumn the trees are spectacular but beware of fallen leaves on the paths, which can make them very slippy if wet. You can extend this walk by joining onto Cluny Hill paths.
This is a very pleasant walk with trees, flowerbeds and birds. The paths are all good although if it has been very wet they may be a little muddy in places. There are places to sit and rest throughout the walk. You’ll need to take care crossing over Bridge Street.
Gravel footpaths can be muddy.
Mainly level but some downward slopes through park.
This is a circular walk through woodland on good paths with some steady climbs and descents. The paths can be muddy or full of leaves depending on weather conditions and time of year. The view from the top of the hill is spectacular. The Tower is open between Tuesday to Sunday from 2pm – 4pm during May and September. If you can manage the stairs, on a clear day you can see Findhorn Bay and over the Moray Firth to the hills of Easter Ross and Sutherland.
Tarmac and gravel footpaths - can be muddy.
This is a flat circular route, all on pavements so suitable for wheelchairs and buggies. The Sensory Garden in Orchard Road is worth a short stop to smell the aromatic plants. There is a bench there and also one in front of the Leisure Centre. You can extend this walk to include Sanquhar Loch.
This is a circular route around Sanquhar Loch on paths, which can be muddy depending on the weather. Tree roots can be a problem and care needs to be taken at points along the path. This is a very scenic walk at any time of year, well signposted all the way round, with interesting wildlife particularly ducks, coots and swans.
Mainly gravel paths - can be muddy.
The Lein is the name given to this area of massive shingle beaches the largest in Scotland – that run west of the mouth of the River Spey. They are part of a Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve and offer good dolphin-spotting. Ospreys also fish the river mouth in summer.
Generally good level shingle and earth paths though some sections may be undulating and slippery in the wet. The section to the Bin Hill is steep.
If you choose to climb to the top of the Bin Hill the path is steep.
This walk follows the old railway track from Garmouth over the River Spey viaduct, with great views over the golf course to the sea at Kingston. It is part of the National Cycle Network and also the Speyside Way. The track is good and suitable for wheelchairs and buggies.
The extended route Level 3 is unsuitable for wheelchairs and buggies.
Tarmac and all abilities surface over viaduct. The extended level 3 route is compacted earth path and can be muddy in wet weather.