Varied walk taking in the beach and dunes to the east of Nairn, then a section of the Culbin forest before returning along a minor road to Kingsteps from where a path leads back to the dunes.
Summary
Sandy beach, woodland path, and minor road (no pavement)
Terrain
Users'
rating
1. If starting from the Harbour car park walk over the bridge to cross the river and reach the entrance to the Lochloy Holiday Park and turn left to head towards the beach before the holiday park. From the Maggot car park head towards the sea between the holiday park and the river. At high tide dolphins can sometimes be seen in the entrance to the river as well as from the beach. Unless exploring to the end of the river wall, turn right onto the sand. Even at high tide there is a strip of sand or you can walk on the dunes. Take care if exploring the mudflats and sandbars at low tide as the tide can come in very quickly and there is a danger of being cut off.
2. Keep following the edge of the beach, the high cliffs at Nigg are clearly visible on the far side of the Moray Firth. After a while the trees of Culbin Forest come into view and eventually a stream is reached. Once round the last bit of dune there is a makeshift bridge just inland slightly. If this is not there it is possible to cross the water closer to the sea at low tide, at high tide you may have to turn back. Once across follow the path to the left which weaves through broom and gorse and then across the salt marsh heading slightly inland towards the trees. Where it meets a path coming from the beach turn right to reach a much better path next to the trees. Turn left along this.
3. Keep an eye out for a narrow path, with old steps heading right, into the forest. Take this and once at the top of the bank go straight across another path to head into the pines. Very soon the end of a track is reached. Do not follow the narrow path straight ahead but turn left onto the track. Look out for a grassy path heading left and take this for a scenic detour through the trees and a chance to spot red squirrels. If you miss the turning, or want an easier to follow route, remain on the track. The detour path meanders through the trees crossing a couple of small wooden bridges before returning to the main track. Turn right along the track.
4. Soon junction 23 in Culbin forest is reached. Turn right here, soon passing through a gate. Another gate at the road has a stile just to the right of it, opposite is the grand house at Lochloy. Once over the stile, turn right and follow the road through the small settlement of Druim and then the larger Kingsteps. Although a minor road, it can be quite fast and as there is no pavement care needs to be taken. There are nice views over the farmland on this section.
5. Once past the houses of Kingsteps, the road heads downhill. Just before Derelochy, which has a distinctive horse's head sign, turn right onto a track signed for Fisherman's Bothy. This leads to the car park at Kingsteps, another entrance point for the Culbin Forest. Go through the car park and onto a lane, passing the house on the right. When the track curves right to reach another house, fork left onto a sandy path. The path soon reaches the path from Nairn at Minister's Pool.
6. Turn left and follow the path past the salt marsh with the golf course on the left. The path eventually reaches the public car park at Nairn East Beach where there are toilets. From here you can either take the short route through the holiday park or take one of the paths to the right which head over the dunes to the beach where you can turn left to return along the first part of the outward route.
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