Elgin – Sheriffmill Loop

Elgin Sherriffmill

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.

  • Accessibility: Accessible for all with care

    Take care on road sections without pavements.

  • Gradient: Undulating

    Some gentle inclines / declines.

Elgin – The Wards

Elgin The Wards

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.

  • Accessible for all users
  • Terrain: Gravel path

    Some gravel paths and pavements.

  • Generally level
  • No barriers
  • Partly signed

Elgin – Town Walk

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.

  • Accessibility: Suitable for a wide range of users

    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.

  • Paved footpaths & roads
  • Generally level
  • Barriers: Some barriers

    Numerous road crossing, dependant upon your chosen route. Most of the main roads have traffic light controlled crossings or designated crossing places. Steps on the Riverside Path Section.

Fochabers – Behind the Green Door

Fochabers - Behind the Green Door

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!

  • Accessible for all users
  • Terrain: Gravel path

    Can be muddy when wet.

  • Generally level
  • No barriers

Fochabers – Fochabers Burn

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.

  • Accessibility: Unsuitable for wheelchairs and buggies

    Unsuitable for Wheelchairs and buggies, but can go as far as the viewing platform at the Famous Fochaberian Garden.

  • Terrain: Gravel path

    Gravel and earth paths, so can be muddy when wet. Can also be long grass and overhanging vegetation at the side of the path.

  • Generally level
  • No barriers

Fochabers – The Belt Path

Fochabers - The Belt Path

This walk starts in Fochabers Square and travels to the Winding Walks and back again.

  • Unsuitable for wheelchairs and buggies
  • Terrain: Varied surfaces

    Pavements and compacted earth path - sections can be muddy when wet.

  • Generally level
  • Barriers: Some barriers

    Some steps

Forres – Burn of Mosset & Altyre Burn

Forres - Burn O Mosset and Altyre Burn Walk

This circular walk explores the Burn o Mosset as it starts to flow through Forres and then takes you to the earlier stages of the stream which starts as the Altyre Burn. The route uses the Dava Way to head South from Forres before returning through forestry estates with good views at several stages of the walk. The walk can be shortened to 8 miles by starting at the Dallas Dhu distillery.

  • Suitable for a wide range of users
  • Varied surfaces
  • Unsigned

Forres – Califer Hill & Rafford

Califer Hill

A circular walk along minor roads and footpaths with stunning views from Califer Viewpoint, returning via lower Rafford and the Dava Way with a shorter route option from Rafford Church available.

  • Suitable for a wide range of users
  • Terrain: Varied surfaces

    Minor Roads, Grassy Lanes, Farm Tracks, Footpaths, Woodland Tracks, some potentially muddy and slippy parts following wet weather and some narrower sections.

  • Gradient: Generally level

    Most of this route is relatively level with the steepest section being the ascent and descent to and from Califer Hill Viewpoint.  The viewpoint ascends to 184.5m.

  • Barriers:

    There are footbridges to cross and some narrower sections.

  • Unsigned

Forres – Cluny Hill Path

Forres Cluny Hill Path

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.

  • Suitable for buggies but not wheelchairs
  • Terrain: Paved footpaths & roads

    Tarmac and gravel paths - can be muddy.

  • Gradient: Generally level

    One steep road section, then generally level.

Forres – Dyke & Kintessack Circular

Forres - Dyke Kintessack Circular

A circular route linking the rural communities of Dyke and Kintessack, with a spur to Broom of Moy, and on to the wider network of paths around Forres.

  • Unsuitable for wheelchairs and buggies
  • Terrain: Varied surfaces

    Minor tarmac roads, forest tracks, earth paths, and short sections of gravel paths. NOTE: In the winter a short section of the path between Dyke and Culbin Forest (at Loanhead) can be very wet. Waterproof boots or wellingtons are advised.

  • Generally level
  • Barriers: Some barriers

    Bridge with steps located at Wellhead.

  • Fully signed

Forres – Engineering Past and Present

Forres Engineers walk

An interesting and varied circular walk on the outskirts of Forres which visits some of the engineering projects that have changed the local landscape from the 19th century to the present day.

  • Suitable for a wide range of users
  • Terrain: Varied surfaces

    Mixture of tarmacked paths, stepped sections, woodland tracks and earth paths with some undulating sections.

  • Generally level
  • Barriers: Some barriers

    There are a few stepped sections and two wooden bridge crossings over the Burn o' Mosset.

  • Unsigned

Forres – Grant Park

Forres Grant Park

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.

  • Accessible for all users
  • Paved footpaths & roads
  • Generally level

Forres – Mosset Burn

Forres Mosset Burn

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.

  • Accessible for all users
  • Terrain: Paved footpaths & roads

    Gravel footpaths can be muddy.

  • Gradient: Generally level

    Mainly level but some downward slopes through park.

Forres – Mosset Walk

Forres - Mosset Walk

A circular walk around Forres, taking in the picturesque Sanquhar Loch, the panoramic view from the Nelson Tower at the top of Cluny Hill and a fine view of the town from Councillor’s Walk. 

  • Unsuitable for wheelchairs and buggies
  • Terrain: Paved footpaths & roads

    Take care on the two A96 road crossings.

  • Gradient: Short steep sections

    A fairly steep path within Grant Park leading up to Nelson Tower. Otherwise, generally level with only a few gentle slopes.

  • Barriers: Some barriers

    Kissing Gates (2), and steps.

  • Fully signed

Forres – Nelson’s Monument Walk

Forres Nelson's Monument Walk

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.

  • Unsuitable for wheelchairs and buggies
  • Terrain: Varied surfaces

    Tarmac and gravel footpaths - can be muddy.

  • Undulating

Forres – River Findhorn Circular

Forres - River Findhorn Circular

A circular walk through and around the town of Forres, following the banks of the River Findhorn for much of the route. With some fine views of the surrounding countryside it explores some attractive, yet less frequented, environs of this pretty Moray town.

  • Accessibility: Unsuitable for wheelchairs and buggies

    Suitable for most abilities of walker, but the length of the walk and the steps may restrict access some users.

  • Terrain: Varied surfaces

    Mainly tarmac paths and pavements, quiet country road, and gravel tracks. There are a few sections of earth paths through the woodland and along the river. The route along the river goes under the A96 bridge, where great care should be taken if the river is in spate. Also take care at the A96 road crossing.

  • Gradient: Generally level

    Relatively level with only a few gentle gradients.

  • Barriers: Some barriers

    One large flight leading onto the Dava Way near Sanquhar Wood, and another on the north bank of the River Findhorn.

  • Fully signed

Forres – Roysvale Park

Forres Roysvale Park

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.

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

Forres – Sanquhar Chapelton Muiry

Forres Chapelton

A circular walk around the southern outskirts of Forres taking in Sanquhar Loch and Woodlands, Cluny Hill and an unexpected glimpse of Findhorn Bay.

  • Unsuitable for wheelchairs and buggies
  • Terrain: Varied surfaces

    Pavements, tarmac and gravel paths. There are also some sections of earth path through the woodland areas.

  • Mixed gradient
  • Barriers: Some barriers

    A sets of steps in Grant Park leading from the car park, a set leading down to Sanquar Loch, and a set at the Mosset Burn near Chapelton.

  • Fully signed

Forres – Sanquhar Loch Path

Forres 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.

  • Unsuitable for wheelchairs and buggies
  • Terrain: Varied surfaces

    Mainly gravel paths - can be muddy.

  • Generally level
  • Barriers: Some barriers

    Steps at the footbridge. Tree roots along some section of path.