East Beach and the River Lossie, Lossiemouth

This excellent circular walk heads upriver from the mouth of the Lossie along its tidal banks and then follows it into the woods before returning along Lossiemouth's East Beach.

Terrain

Riverside path slightly wet in places, woodland tracks, dune path and pebbles and sandy beach.

Public Transport

Lossiemouth is served by regular buses.

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Start

East Beach car park, Lossiemouth. Map and directions.

grade grade
Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Statistics

Distance: 6.25km/3.75 miles
Time: 1.5 - 2 hours
Ascent: 25m (Profile)
Grid Ref: NJ236704

Maps / GPS

View / Print route map
Buy Explorer 423 - Elgin
GPS Waypoints - QUO 2
GPS Waypoints - GPX
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Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

Park at the East Beach car park, by the side of the Spynie Canal in Lossiemouth. The canal was built, originally by Thomas Telford, not for boats but to protect the rich farmland from flooding. Cross the road bridge over the canal to reach the edge of Seatown, once the part of Lossiemouth where the fisherfolk lived; the houses were single story as the attics were needed for the drying of nets. Cross the long and picturesque wooden footbridge over the River Lossie on the left.

Stage 2

The bridge gives access to a thin strip of dunes almost surrounded by water, with the East beach and the sea on the far side of them and the tidal mouth of the Lossie on the near side. This walk explores both sides; begin by turning right straight after the bridge and heading along the sand upriver by the Lossie. The river is tidal here and exactly where you walk depends on the state of the tide, but it's usually no problem to continue on the inland side of the dunes.

Stage 3

Eventually the tidal section narrows and the walk comes alongside the river on rough grass. Continue ahead, eventually entering the pinewoods on a track. When it reaches a fork take the left branch but keep looking out for a clear sandy path that climbs up over the dunes on the left. Follow this over two waves of dunes to reach the beach.

Stage 4

The beach is pebbly at this point and the easiest ground is just at the foot of the dunes. Turn left to begin the walk back towards Lossiemouth; looking back Spey Bay sweeps majestically round to Buckie and beyond, backed by the dome of the Bin of Cullen. Continuing west, the pebbles soon give way to a fine sandy beach.

Stage 5

The waves breaking here can be impressive and the beach is popular with surfers. Continue along it until reaching part of an old wooden breakwater. Here turn left through a gap in the dunes to return to the wooden footbridge and back to the start.

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Route Profile

Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is each walkers' responsibility to check it and navigate using a map and compass.