North of Scotland LDWA Laich o Moray 50 mile challenge walk

The Laich o’ Moray Challenge is a 50 mile circular walk with a time restriction of 24 hours created by North of Scotland Long Distance Walkers Association. They host a supported challenge walk or this route annually in September.

  • Unsuitable for wheelchairs and buggies
  • Terrain: Varied surfaces

    Terrain: Varied surfaces (the route includes minor road, beaches, coastal paths, disused railway and forestry tracks. Short sections require care, such as the descent from Califer hill via Sourbank and the headland at Burghead)

  • Undulating
  • Some barriers
  • Unsigned

The Dava Way

The Dava Way

The Dava Way is a 23 mile trail across the ancient Celtic province of Morayshire between the historic towns of Forres and Grantown-on-Spey. The route links Strathspey and the Cairngorms National Park with the Moray Coast in North East Scotland. Almost all of the route follows the old Highland Railway line and is off road and safe from traffic.

  • Accessibility: Suitable for a wide range of users

    WALKING - The surface is varied, mostly firm and good, but it can be wet and rough in places. All of it is fine for walking. CYCLING - The Dava Way can be used as an ‘off road’ cycling route, as most of it is over a firm but rough surface.

  • Terrain: Varied surfaces

    The surface of the path is generally compacted track-bed material, rough and rutted in places, and is good for walking and 'off-road’ cycling. Depending on the weather, stretches may be wet but the Dava Way Volunteers have installed new drains and this has improved the paths.

  • Gradient: Gentle gradients

    The route has a very gradual gradient which rises on the Dava Moor to 320m (1050ft) above sea level at its highest point.

  • Barriers: Some barriers

    The are a number of opening gates as you approach Grantown. There are low steps at the track end at Grantown.

  • Fully signed

The Isla Way

The Isla Way

This 13 mile route has a great variety in scenery and setting, and you will always be rewarded with natural beauty wherever you are on the path. The route follows the valley of the infant River Isla, which rises in the hills above Drummuir on its way to Keith and the Moray Coast beyond.

  • Accessibility: Unsuitable for wheelchairs and buggies

    All of the route can be used for walking, cycling, and horseriding.

  • Terrain: Varied surfaces

    Surfaces are generally sound including tar, gravel and earth paths. In places the trail follows narrow tarmac public roads, and road pavements through Dufftown and Keith. Sections of the paths will be muddy when wet.

  • Gradient: Undulating

    The route climbs to around 300 metres (1,000ft) above sea level. Total height climbed is modest at around 240 metres (780 ft). Slopes are generally easy, although there are a couple of steep sections to be negotiated.

  • Barriers: Many barriers

    Between Dufftown and Loch Park there is a narrow suspension bridge across the River Fiddoch. There are some steps in the Toon Widd at Dufftown.Loch Park to Drummuir has no barriers and is an all abilities standard.Between Drummuir and Keith there are unsigned sections on public roads, including a mile section on busy B9014, where users are next to fast traffic.Two field gates exist across the path above Auchindachy.

  • Partly signed

The Moray Coast Trail

The Moray Coast Trail

The coastline and settlements of Moray are linked by a waymarked coastal trail of approximately 50 miles from Findhorn to Cullen and all the places between. The route can be extended from Findhorn to Forres along a section of cycle route.

  • Accessibility: Suitable for a wide range of users

    Many sections of the route can be used for cycling and horseriding in addition to walking. In wilder locations the path can be steep and rough in places, which would restrict access. Generally the route is most accessible in the vicinity of the coastal settlements. Less able users should concentrate on using these sections.

  • Terrain: Varied surfaces

    There are varied surfaces including tar, gravel and earth paths, with some beach and rock sections. In places the trail follows pavements through the towns and villages, whilst in other areas the route uses rough tracks along the coastal clifftops and forests.

  • Gradient: Generally level

    Generally level with some short steep climbs in places.

  • Barriers: Some barriers

    There are steps and gates in some sections, particularly along the rugged coastline at the Hopeman Ridge and between Buckie and Cullen.The route crosses Lossiemouth and Cullen beaches at low tide, but at high tide you will have to follow an alternative (unsigned) foreshore route.The section between Lossie and Kingston has the military firing range and when in use red flags are hoisted at each corner which prevent users from progressing further, for information on which days the range is being used telephone Fort George on 0131 310 8692.

  • Fully signed

The Moray Way

The Moray Way

The Moray Way is Moray’s unique long-distance circular route, which follows the Moray Firth coast, crosses over moorland and tracks the river Spey. Few walks can match the range of scenery and wildlife found along the Moray Way. It can be walked comfortably in five to nine days.

Once you have completed the full route, why not claim your free “I WALKED AROUND THE MORAY WAY” certificate and celebrate your achievement by buying a pair of Moray Way socks?

Please note that the Spey Viaduct Bridge is closed – we are currently updating all routes affected by this closure.

Moray Council have suggested the following: The viaduct connecting the Speyside Way and the village of Garmouth is closed, with the nearest alternative crossing of the river Spey located at Fochabers, approximately 3 miles upstream. This can be reached via the Speyside Way on the east side of the river. On the west side of the river, there is no pedestrian path connecting Fochabers to Garmouth. A quiet, unclassified road is available, but it should be used with care due to the limited verge. The river can be crossed at Fochabers either via the old road bridge, which is now for pedestrians only, or via the pavement alongside the A96 road bridge. (Please take care when crossing public roads)

  • Accessibility: Suitable for a wide range of users

    The route is primarily promoted for walking. Sections which make use of old railway lines are suitable for mountain bikes. The beach sections of the Way are ideal for horse riding. Sections of the Speyside Way along the old railway are suitable for horse riding. Cycling and horse riding on other sections of the way is not recommended due to physical condition and consideration for other users.

  • Terrain: Varied surfaces

    There are a wide variety of surface types that make up the route ranging from sandy dunes to minor metalled roads.

  • Gradient: Mixed gradient

    The Moray Coast Trail section is mostly flat with a rougher section between Burghead and Lossiemouth. The Dava Way involves gentle ascent and decent following the old railway line. The Speyside Way is mostly flat where it follows minor roads, tracks and an old railway, but has steep sections at Ben Aigen and near Cromdale.

  • Barriers: Some barriers

    Long sections of the route are free from barriers which would impede access. There are some stiles, gates and short flights of steps along the route. Steps are mostly to be found between Burghead and Lossiemouth and at varying points on the Speyside Way. There are no gates or stiles on the Moray Coast Trail but there are several on the Speyside Way and the Dava Way.

  • Fully signed

The Speyside Way

The Speyside Way

The Speyside Way is one of Scotland’s four official Long Distance Routes (LDRs). It runs between Aviemore, at the heart of Strathspey, 66 miles to Buckie, on the Moray Firth. The route passes through some of Scotland’s most beautiful landscapes; by rivers and mountains, over moorland and along forest paths. It includes a spur to Tomintoul, an additional 15 miles. 

  • Accessibility: Suitable for a wide range of users

    All of the route suitable for walkers. The route between Fochabers and Ballindalloch and between Nethy Bridge and Aviemore is suitable for cycling. The route is suitable for horseriding between Craigellachie and Ballindalloch.

  • Terrain: Varied surfaces

    The route offers mainly easy walking on low ground (a mixture of seashore, river valley, old railway and moorland). It should be noted that the section between Ballindalloch and Grantown is more strenuous and the Tomintoul Spur is also steeper and passes through very exposed locations.

  • Gradient: Short steep sections

    Most of the route is fairly level with some gentle slopes, although there are some steeper sections between Ballindalloch and Grantown. The Tomintoul Spur climbs to around 1,800ft above sea level at two locations.

  • Many barriers
  • Fully signed