Starting and finishing in Grantown on Spey at the edge of the Cairngorm Mountains, the Moray Trail offers over 100 miles of beautiful, varied and accessible trails with 3517 feet of ascent over the route. You will follow the mighty River Spey, past distilleries all the way to the Moray Coast at Spey Bay. Next head west on quiet country backroads and sandy trails in pine forest above secluded beaches with history, all the way to the mouth of another big river, the Findhorn. Finally a steady, gentle climb south on a disused railway line through rich farmland to the dramatic space of Dava Moor before descending back into Grantown on Spey through Castle Grant Estate. The Moray Trail, as described here has a beautiful rhythm where the first third of the route engages with the land beside the river, the middle is close to the sea and the final part moves steadily back towards the mountains which get tantalisingly closer with each mile.

The Moray Trail has something for everyone whether they are new to overnight bikepacking, looking for a chilled adventure with friends or a fresh look at familiar landscapes. The route described here is a tried and tested variation on the hikers route with less stop/start-on/off the bike due to outdated multi-access gates in the first third.

HIGHLIGHTS

Setting off from The Bothy Bakery, Grantown on Spey after a delicious coffee and scone.

Following the mighty River Spey through farmland, woodland with spectacular rapids at great vantage points.

Aberlour and a sample of their lovely malt.

The view from Ben Aigan across the Spey, farmland and settlements down to the Sea.

A well deserved treat at The Phoenix Cafe, Findhorn with time to relax on a shorter day.

The terrain varies from quiet backroads, to forest tracks, singletrack and even beach.

Visiting a distillery on the way round, there are many to choose from...Knockando, Aberlour, Bendromach or Dallas Dhu to name a few!

The great open spaces and colours of the Dava Moor on the approach back to Grantown on Spey.

ROUTE/CAMPING

After one of the best coffees and second breakfast in The Universe at KJ’s Bothy Bakery we will leave Grantown on Spey and follow the river for most of the day at a nice warm up pace. We will have stocked up with local produce and snacks for the next day or so.

Speyside Gardens Camping in Aberlour after c. 23 miles of riding on day 1, a chance to sample some malt whisky of course! Lots of nice cafes on the main street. Dinner at campsite prepared with Jim.

Findhorn Bay Caravan Park, c. 45 miles from Aberlour on day 2, After a longer day dinner could be taken in FIndhorn. Next day have a long lie and perhaps sort kit, explore the wonderful FIndhorn Community, relaxed lunch at The Phoenix Cafe, resupply at great store in Findhorn for dinner and next day snacks.

ACE Adventures at Dunphail, c. 20 miles from Findhorn on day 3, a forest campsite with all facilities and of course fire pits! Cooking facilities here for another meal prepared with Jim.

Arrive back in Grantown on Spey, c. 20 miles on The Dava Way with a variety of routes available depending upon conditions and what riders feel like. A final distillery tour at The Cairn is an option for a whisky tour, tapas with a Scottish twist at the cafe to finish!

TRAIL NOTES

Trail surface includes : state road, tarmac, gravel, forest tracks, singletrack, grass, sand, shingle and even some railway ballast. Approximately 55% of the route is unpaved.

There is no specific bike for the route - although by the time you get onto the Dava Way on day two you might want something with a little give or bounce. I have ridden it twice on a Brother Cycles BigBro29er on 2.2s with friends on a 29 inch hardtail or a compact gravel bike - we all had fun.

Difficulty - there are no technical sections on this trail. The climb north of Aberlour, up towards Ben Aigan & Knock More is the steepest on the route. Crossing the Dava Moor is exposed to weather, remember it can snow in the nearby Cairngorm Mountains almost any month of the year and you’re not far from them here.

MUST KNOW

When to go - March through to September would give the best chance of being comfortable but be ready for the odd rain shower. Bring bg net and repellent if riding in full summer

Bike Shops - BC Suspension are located at the start in Grantown on Spey, also nearby Ride Cairngorm in Boat of Garten and BackCountryScot in Aviemore before starting the ride. There are also bike shops in Lossiemouth and Forres once en route.

Other trail users - this is a multi-use trail so be prepared for other hikers, horse riders or bikers. Watch your speed around bends, on descents or sections that might be ‘well leafed’ in summer.