The Dava Way is a 23 mile trail in Morayshire between the ancient towns of Forres and Grantown-on-Spey. It 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. It passes through a pleasing mix of farmland, woodland and moorland as you climb from the Spey Valley to cross Dava Moor before descending to the Moray Firth. As you cross the moor on a clear day you are rewarded with views to the north over the shire counties of Nairn, Inverness, Moray, Ross & Cromarty, and Sutherland whilst to the south the Cromdale Hills and the Cairngorm Mountains dominate the skyline.
The old railway line is clearly shown on OS Landranger maps 27 & 36, and on OS Explorer maps 419 & 423.
Walking the Dava Way
The surface is varied, mostly firm and good, but it can be wet and rough in places. All of it is fine for walking. At the last count there were 16 opening gates, 2 kissing gates at Grantown, and no stiles. Most choose to wear light weight boots, although I prefer good trainers (approach shoes).
In 2005 the Dava Way Experience race along the route was won in 2 hours 20 minutes! Fit walkers can complete the route in a day but most will want to break it into 2 or 3 stages. There are full descriptions and maps of the route on the Dava Way website http://www.davaway.org.uk. Maps and descriptions can be downloaded for printing from the website Downloads page. There are opportunities for circular walks but none have been marked as yet.
Cycling the Dava Way
The Dava Way is a great off road cycling route, almost all of it over a firm surface but rough in places and there are stone chippings on some central sections. When cycling the route I allow about 4 hours plus time for a picnic (but it has been done in 2 hours 40 minutes). This gives a pleasant day's cycling with time to enjoy the varying views unfolding. Keep your eyes open for wildlife, there is plenty for the observant. The route offers a variety of scenery and surface, but it does not pretend or want to be an extreme challenge. (If you are looking for mountain bike excitement you should go on to visit the Moray Monster Trails between Fochabers and Craigellachie. This is about 20 miles along the Moray coast to the East, on the slopes above the River Spey in Speyside.) The Dava Way trail is used by a local equestrian centre who hope to establish a ride across Scotland. Contact the Moray Equestrian Access Group? for more advice.
Use the Dava Way trail for a walking or cycling holiday
The Dava Way trail is a lovely route in its own right but its real strength lies in its links with other walks and cycle routes at either end, and also in the wealth of other outdoor activities available in the area. At Grantown-on-Spey the Dava Way links easily into the Speyside Way. At Forres the Dava Way links into the Moray Coast Trail? with its beautiful expanses of sandy bays and rocky cliffs for walkers to explore. Forres is also on the Sustrans National Network. Both routes can take you along the Moray Coast to Spey Bay where you link with the Speyside Way. Why not enjoy a week cycling and/or walking in Morayshire and discover the delights of this area?