The Dava Way Trail

Route descriptions

Travelling North

Grantown to Dava  |  Dava to Dunphail  |  Dunphail to Forres

Travelling South

Forres to Dunphail  |  Dunphail to Dava  |  Dava to Grantown

Finding the start and finish

Forres  |  Grantown-on-Spey

To help you enjoy walking or cycling the Dava Way we have prepared descriptions of the route. For convenience the trail is split into three sections and printable versions are available as Word or Adobe Acrobat pdf files on our downloads page. Maps to accompany each section have been prepared and can be viewed on our maps page. There are separate maps and instructions to help find your way through the ancient towns of Grantown-on-Spey and Forres. Prefer to purchase commercially published guides? Details here

Grantown-on-Spey

Grantown-on-Spey is the capital of Strathspey and lies within the Cairngorms National Park. It is a Georgian (18th century) planned town founded in 1765 by the local laird Sir James Grant. The Square is an attractive open area in the centre of the town. From the south-west corner of The Square follow the road past the caravan and camping site to Dulicht Bridge and the start of the Dava Way. It is about ½ mile (1 km) from Grantown centre. For more information about Grantown-on-Spey visit the community website or the Undiscovered Scotland website. Use our Grantown street map and instructions to find your way from the The Square in Grantown.

Forres

Forres has been a Royal Burgh since 1140 and is one of Scotland's oldest towns, and also one of its most attractive. Grant Park is a vast parkland area at the east end of the High Street. Community woodland to the south and east of Forres has well used paths and is the habitat for a host of wildlife. For more information about Forres visit the community website or the Undiscovered Scotland website. The Dava Way starts in a quiet cul-de-sac on the southern outskirts of the town, about a 1 mile (2 km) walk south from the High Street. Visitors will need the help of the Forres streetmap and instructions to help find your way through Forres starting from the High Street.

Southern section between Grantown-on-Spey and Dava

This is a section of contrasts. You pass through the lush woodlands surrounding Grantown-on-Spey, then on through farmland as you climb up from Strathspey. The railway line seeks out and follows the side of a sheltered gorge until you emerge out onto the open expanse of Dava Moor where you will find the summit marker. For most of the time you are safe from the intrusion of traffic and yet you are never far from the main road. This means that there are several locations where you could choose to shorten your day if you wish. The distance is about 8 miles (13 km).

Central section between Dava and Dunphail

This is a short, remote, section that takes you around the ‘back’ of the Knock of Braemoray. The railway line provides access to a fine, remote section of this trail that would be almost impossible to access otherwise. You should seriously consider climbing up to the top of the ‘Knock’ to enjoy the fine views. How many of the distant hills to the north and south of you can you identify? This section includes the Divie viaduct that apears on the way markers along the Dava Way. The direct distance is about 6½ miles (10½ km).

Northern section between Forres and Dunphail

This northern section takes you through stretches of farmland and woodland as the route descends to near sea level to reach Forres by the Moray Firth. It includes the longest and highest embankment along the route. You pass within a mile of Logie Steading, which is a collection of speciality shops with a magnificent tearoom. Logie Steading lies beside the River Findhorn which has been described as the most beautiful and spectacular river in Scotland. If you are visiting the area make time to explore this magnificent river and experience its many moods. You also pass alongside (quite literally) an historic distillery with the rarest malt whisky in Scotland. The distance is about 8 miles (13 km).