Buckie – Portessie Circular

This circular route starts in east Buckie and includes great coastal views over the Moray Firth. Because the route is very near to the shore for part of the way, it is very exposed to cold, strong winds from the sea. There are benches along the way. The surfaces are good and the only hill is on Station Road, which is fairly steep.

  • Accessible for all with care
  • Terrain: Paved footpaths & roads

    No pavement on Station Road.

  • Gradient: Short steep sections

    Steep slope at Station Road.

  • Barriers: Some barriers

    No drop kerbs on Rathburn Street.

  • Partly signed

Buckie – Queen Street Circular

Located within the town, this circular walk includes some beautiful open parkland. The route is along paved paths but care needs to be taken at the footbridge, which has steps and a handrail, making it unsuitable for wheelchairs or buggies.

  • Unsuitable for wheelchairs and buggies
  • Paved footpaths & roads
  • Generally level
  • Barriers: Some barriers

    Narrow bridge with steps and handrail in park.

  • Fully signed

Buckie – Round Rathven

This circular walk has some great coastal views over the Moray Firth and open countryside. The walk can be shortened by cutting along the path opposite Moray View Court.

  • Unsuitable for wheelchairs and buggies
  • Paved footpaths & roads
  • Short steep sections
  • Barriers: Some barriers

    Walking on road in places.

  • Partly signed

Buckie – Strathlene all abilities path

Located near Buckie, this is a short section of coastal all abilities path, which runs parallel to the rocky foreshore near the old Strathlene lido. There are views to the nearby Craigen Roan rock where seals can be regularly seen and heard. This path forms part of the Moray Coast Trail – Buckie.

  • Accessible for all users
  • Gravel path
  • Generally level
  • Fully signed

Burghead – Clarkly Hill Circular

A circular walk starting in the Pictish Fort town of Burghead and passing through farmland and rocky shores, with stunning views of the Moray Firth along the ridge of Clarkly Hill.

  • Unsuitable for wheelchairs and buggies
  • Terrain: Varied surfaces

    Tarred pavements & roads, gravel paths, and earth/grass paths along the Clarkly Hill sections. Note: the earth paths are rough and uneven in places and can be muddy.

  • Gradient: Generally level

    A gentle slope rising from the Burghead - Lossiemouth road to Clarkly Hill

  • Fully signed

Burghead – Railway Path

This walk takes you from the picturesque harbour in Burghead on a circular route along the old railway track. The surfaces are generally good but not suitable for wheelchairs and buggies. It can be a little exposed if the winds are strong. There are toilets at the harbour and benches on Grant Street.

  • Unsuitable for wheelchairs and buggies
  • Terrain: Varied surfaces

    Gravel paths and tarmac pavements

  • Gradient: Short steep sections

    Fairly steep decline on gravel path between Fraser Road and the coastal path. Elsewhere relatively level with some gentle slopes.

  • Barriers: Some barriers

    Windblown sand can accumulate on a short section of the coastal path, near where it meets the track down from Fraser Road. This may cause difficulties for wheelchairs and some buggies.

  • Partly signed

Cabrach

This is a pleasant and scenic all day ride across open moorland with some good views from the slopes of Cook’s Cairn. Quite a bit of wildlife to see including large herds of deer.

  • Terrain: Varied surfaces

    Some good estate tracks suitable for fast trotting; the higher moorland tracks are rougher and more stony.

Corryhabbie Hill & Cook’s Cairn

Corryhabbie is the highest point of the long moorland ridge between Glen Rinnes and the heads of Glenfiddich and Glenlivet. From the plateau-like summit there are extensive views over vast rolling hills and moors to the Cairngorms to the south and Ben Rinnes to the north.

  • Unsuitable for wheelchairs and buggies
  • Defined hill path
  • Slopes throughout

Craigellachie – Dufftown Spur

This is a beautiful, flat, tree – lined sheltered walk along a good path. It is suitable for wheelchairs and buggies with care, although it can be a little muddy in places.

  • Accessibility: Accessible for all with care

    Can be muddy.

  • Terrain: Varied surfaces

    Flat gravel and compacted earth path - can be a little muddy.

  • Generally level
  • Barriers: Some barriers

    Potential Landslides further along path.

  • Unsigned

Craigellachie – Telford Bridge

This is a linear walk along level paths, which include grass tracks and so is not suitable for wheelchairs and buggies. It follows part of the Speyside Way and has beautiful riverside views to the famous Thomas Telford metal bridge. There are benches in the car parks at both ends of the walk and seasonal toilets in Fiddich Park.

  • Unsuitable for wheelchairs and buggies
  • Terrain: Varied surfaces

    Compacted earth and gravel paths with some grass sections. Timber bridge. The path also passes under the road bridge.

  • Generally level
  • Partly signed

Culbin Forest- Route 99

One of Moray’s many Forestry Commissions woodlands with promoted access, it is located on the coastal sand dunes between Findhorn Bay and Nairn. It has a wide network of paths suitable for many users, including the signed all abilities trail, known as the Route 99. 

  • Accessibility: Accessible for all users

    Horse riders are better catered for at the Cloddymoss car park.

  • Generally level
  • Fully signed

Cullen – Crannoch Circular Path

The route provides a variety of views and habitats. Travelling clockwise, the first section east of Cullen provides open views over agricultural land and the coast. The woodland loop provides access to conifer/mixed woodland and freshwater habitats.

  • Suitable for buggies but not wheelchairs
  • Terrain: Varied surfaces

    A mixture of pavements, quiet country roads, and farm tracks, with aggregate and earth paths through the woodland section. These woodland and farm tracks can be muddy in wet weather, and watch out for tree roots within Crannoch Wood. There is a short steep slope at the eastern entrance to the Crannoch Wood circular path, which can be slippy.

  • Gradient: Undulating

    Undulating route with long steady inclines/ declines. One steep section present at the eastern entrance to the Crannoch Wood circular path.

  • Barriers: Some barriers

    Care to be taken when crossing the A98 - this is a very fast and busy road. Several gates leading along the farm track from Cullen to Crannoch Wood.

  • Fully signed

Cullen – Nelson’s Seat

This walk is an extension of the town walk, which includes gravel paths and grass tracks which would make it unsuitable for wheelchairs and buggies. It includes great coastal views over the Moray Firth, with the possibility of dolphin watching.

  • Accessibility: Unsuitable for wheelchairs and buggies

    Unsuitable for wheelchairs and most buggies due to grass section.

  • Terrain: Varied surfaces

    Town Walk section all on tarmac pavements. Gravel footpath and grass.

  • Short steep sections
  • No barriers
  • Fully signed

Cullen – Portknockie Cyclepath Walk

This linear walk follows the National Cyclepath which links Portknockie to Cullen via the Cullen viaduct, on what was the old railway line. It has a good level surface, which is suitable for wheelchairs and buggies. The views across Cullen Golf Course to the coast are worth the effort. Take care due to landslip.

  • Accessible for all users
  • Paved footpaths & roads
  • Generally level
  • No barriers
  • Partly signed

Cullen – Salmon Bothy Circular

The Salmon Bothy Circular Path provides a short coastal walk, which takes in magnificent coastal views.

  • 1.6 miles (2.56 km)
  • 40 meters (131 ft)
  • 45 minutes
  • Accessibility: Unsuitable for wheelchairs and buggies

    There is a steep ramped path with handrail leading from the harbour area up to cliff top. Flat gravel path between the caravan park and the Nelson’s Seat viewpoint providing opportunity for less able bodied users.

  • Terrain: Varied surfaces

    Fully surfaced roadside paths in the built up areas. Bound gravel paths elsewhere, with a short steep section of rough grassy path at the outlying gully. There are plans for this section to be upgraded to gravel.

  • Gradient: Mixed gradient

    Relatively flat throughout but there are two short steep sections.

  • Barriers: Some barriers

    There is a steep ramped path with handrail leading from the harbour area up to cliff top.

  • Fully signed

Cullen – Town Circular

Cullen is built on a hill and this circular town walk has a few steep slopes. The surfaces are good and it is suitable for wheelchairs and buggies, although it will be hard work on the slopes. There are toilets at the start and benches along the route. The views will be worth it! This walk can be extended to follow the path to Nelson’s Seat.

  • Accessibility: Accessible for all users

    The extended walk to Nelson's seat is not suitable for wheelchairs or most buggies.

  • Terrain: Paved footpaths & roads

    Gravel and grass paths on extended route to and from Nelson's Seat.

  • Gradient: Short steep sections

    Long, fairly steep descent from the town square under the viaduct, leading to a short steep section at Campbell Place. There is also a short steep decline from Reidhaven Place back down into the square.

  • No barriers
  • Fully signed

Drum Wood

This is a nice easy circular route that takes in a few miles of the Speyside Way and returns through forestry on the other side of the river. Good views to the north from the Drum Wood and very scenic alongside the Spey. This route is not waymarked and part of it runs through private land.

  • 10 miles (16 km)
  • 120 meters (393 ft)
  • Varied surfaces

Drummuir – Paths Network

A suite of trails has been created on the Drummuir Estate developed by Drummuir 21, a local community group. Options exist for walks of approximately 40, 70 or 120 minutes duration depending on your inclination. Ideal for families. Part of the trail system is suitable for wheelchair users (about 3 miles return trip).

  • Accessibility: Accessible for all users

    The all abilities section is suitable for wheelchairs and buggies.

  • Terrain: Gravel path

    Relatively good surfaces throughout; mainly tarmac and gravel paths with a section of quiet public road. The All Abilities Trail section between the Botriphnie Kirk car park and Loch Park follows a level gravel path.

  • Mixed gradient
  • No barriers
  • Fully signed

Dufftown – Balvenie Castle

This circular walk has some steep inclines and is not suitable for wheelchairs or buggies because of the terrain. It includes some woodland and has good views of the ruined castle.

  • Unsuitable for wheelchairs and buggies
  • Terrain: Varied surfaces

    Tarmac pavements, compacted earth and gravel tracks. Note that the earth track in the wood is quite narrow and can be muddy/ slippy in wet weather. Watch out for tree roots.

  • Gradient: Short steep sections

    Some steep inclines / declines, with the steepest on a ramped path section within the woodland.

  • Barriers: Some barriers

    Long flight of steps in wood.

  • Partly signed