Events along the Dava Way Trail

Dava Summer Stroll 19th June 2010

Saturday 19th June, 2010

This year we are offering walkers the opportunity to walk all or part of the route in daylight hours travelling in either direction. Last year's Ghost Train Walk was an overnight walk from Grantown-on-Spey to Forres which attracted over 100 participants. We plan to repeat the overnight format another year but have opted for a daytime variation for 2010.

The format this year is similar. Arrange your own transport as necessary to either Grantown or Forres. A bus will take you to your chosen start point and you walk back to your transport (or home). Last year, with a blistering 15 miles behind them, walkers were welcomed at Dunphail by a hearty breakfast, a sit, and a refreshing cuppa. We will be repeating this with sausage or burger rolls and a drink available during the afternoon, all quality produce provided by a local butcher and baker.

Planned itinaries:

Registration in Forres:
Roysvale Park 8:00am to 8:50am
Coach departs Forres 9:00am
Dropoffs for return to Forres:
Dunphail 9:10am (Forres 9 miles)
Dava 9:20am (Forres 15½ miles)
Huntly's Cave 9:30am (Forres 20 miles)
Grantown 9:40am (return Forres 24 miles)

Registration in Grantown:
The Square 9:00am to 9:40am
Coach departs Grantown 9:50am
Dropoffs for return to Grantown:
Dava 10:10am (Grantown 8½ miles)
Dunphail 10:20am (Grantown 15 miles)
Forres 10:30am (Grantown 24 miles)

How to enter
Further information and application forms can be downloaded here. Alternatively you can collect a form from The Tourist Office, High Street Grantown or from The Hub, Tolbooth Street, Forres.
Why not get your friends to sponsor your efforts and raise money for a good cause at the same time. You can download a sample form that can be used by a charity to reclaim tax via GIftaid.

Download information and application form

225kB

Download sponsorship from

38kB

Memories from last year

Photo album - Last year's Ghost Train walk, June 20 & 21st, 2009.

Click on any picture below to view the enlarged image.

Wolf Trek Challenge

The 2010 event takes on August 7th and Sunday August 8th starting 4pm Saturday.

The Wolftrek Challenge started in 2008. There are three events for entrants to choose from:
A 17 mile midnight hike from Forres to Lochindorb.
A 3 part relay event covering 45 miles overnight from Forres to Cairngorm Mountain.
The complete 45 mile challenge from Forres to Cairngorm Mountain.

In 2008 around 60 entrants took part across the three events. In 2009 there were over 300 entrants. The event starts from Dallas Dhu, just outside Forres, at 4pm. Whilst some literally ran the entire distance (the fastest time in 2009 was 6hours 52 minutes) most treated it as a personal challenge walking through the night to finish during Sunday. The route follows the Dava Way to Dava, then goes to Lochindorb, crosses the moor to Grantown, follows the Speyside Way to Nethy Bridge, then on to Glenmore and up to Cairngorm mountain. This years event is on the weekend of Aug 7th/8th 2010. For further details and entry information go to the WolfTrek Challenge website. Entrants are asked to raise money for the WildHearts charity which provides funding in the form of repayable loans to micro-enterprises in developing countries.

Photos from the WolfTrek 2009 and 2008 events

Click on any picture below to view the enlarged image.

The Opening of the Dava Way, 2005

September 18th, 2005

The Dava Way was officially opened on Sunday September 18th by Kenny MacDonald, former railway worker and founder member of Forres Harriers. The opening event - The Dava Way Experience - was arranged in collaboration with Forres Rotary Club. There were four events:
A 24 mile multi-terrain race Grantown-on-Spey to Forres.
A 12 mile walk (or jog) from the Divie viaduct.
A shorter 6 mile walk from Cowgreens Wood.
A 2 mile stroll from Newtyle forest.
Simon Pride won the 24 mile race from Grantown to Forres in 2 hours 35 minutes and 15 seconds. Kenny cut the ribbon on the Divie viaduct at the start of the sponsored walk. Over 300 adults and children ran, jogged or walked along the Dava Way on a glorious fine, clear sunny day. At the finish there was a welcome spread of sandwiches and juice provided and by Forres Rotary Club. The event raised around £2000 for local good causes.

Photo album - Dava Way Opening event, September 18th, 2005.

Click on a picture below to see a larger view (photos by permission of Paul Matheson, Forres Harriers).

Dava Way Experience, 2006

Sunday September 17th, 2006

16 mile race from Dava to Forres, 12 sponsored walk from the Divie Viaduct to Forres, 6 mile sponsored walk from Cowgreens Wood to Forres

This year's 'Experience' took place on Sunday September 17th. There were about 50 runners who completed the 16 mile run from Dava back to Forres. About 50 others walked or jogged the 12 miles from the Divie viaduct, whilst about 30 others chose the shorter 6 mile option back from Cowgreens Wood. Once again we were blessed with a glorious fine, clear sunny day. At the finish there was a welcome spread of sandwiches and juice provided and by Forres Rotary Club. This year there was also some entertainment to welcome the finishers in the form of music and belly dancing. Over £1600 was raised by the walkers through sponsorship which will be distributed to good causes in and around the local area. The next Dava Way Experience will be in June 2008. There will be guided walks along sections of the route as part of The Moray Walking festival in August 2007. If you would like to join in any of these events (we will send you a reminder nearer the time) please send us your email address.