Badenoch Way

Summary

The varied Badenoch Way leads from Dalraddy to near Kingussie, following the River Spey for much of the route and passing moorland, farmland and forestry before ending at the RSPB reserve at Invertromie overlooking the Insh Marshes.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Good paths, forestry tracks and minor roads. Not very much ascent or descent.

Getting there

Start

Dalraddy Caravan Park near Alvie - car parking near entrance.

Public Transport

Bus service (M91) from Aviemore.

Start Grid Ref

NH858083

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 17.5km / 11 miles
Time: 5 - 6 hours
Ascent: 120m (Profile)

Mapping and GPS

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OL56 Badenoch and OL57 Cairn Gorm

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Walk Description

User reports (7)

Stage 1

Begin from the parking area next to the entrance to Dalraddy Caravan Park. From here the go through a gate, crossing straight over a track signed for Speybank, instead continuing ahead and soon passing under the railway line. Go through the gate and bear right to follow a faint track across the grazing land of Dalraddy Moor. Note: The new Speyside Way path has been constructed as far as Kincraig and is now much clearer than the old Badenoch Way; you may prefer to take that. Otherwise there are old Badenoch Way signs on posts to guide you across this open section keeping near to the plantation opposite the railway line at first and then bearing right to head diagonally across the open ground towards a small area of wood on the far side. Here pick up a path that eventually leads to a track next to a fenced plantation.

Stage 2

Go through a gate and turn right to head uphill through another gate into the forest. Here the path meanders through the pines crossing a number of other paths; keep a sharp eye out for the Badenoch Way marker posts. Eventually these lead you to a larger track where you turn left to go through a gate out of the wood. Follow the grassy track between the fence and woodland and go straight ahead when a larger track is reached. Some of the buildings at Speybank can be seen on the left. Continue through a metal gate near farm buildings and bear right along the surfaced road. Just before the railway line turn left at a junction to cross a driveway and go straight ahead through a wooden gate onto a grassy track through the woods.

Stage 3

The next section was lovely as it followed the high bank of the River Spey with good views over to the Cairngorms on the left, though it now regularly intersects with the new Speyside Way path that is replacing it. There are wooden seats at a good viewpoint which makes an excellent stopping point. Follow the path through the birch and oak trees with a thick layer of heather and blaeberries underneath. The path is steep on the riverside in places. Go through a small wooden gate and keep following the path to head downhill to a lush green section with bridges over streams and boardwalk to keep feet dry in places. Ignore a fainter path off to the right and then another to keep left following the signs. Eventually a track is reached head downhill on this to pass some houses and follow Speybank Walk to the road in Kincraig.

Stage 4

Turn left here to pass the Old Post Office Cafe on the left and to reach the river. Cross the bridge and soon after go through a metal gate on the right hand side to skirt round Insh Church before re-emerging at the road. Cross the road and follow the pavement. After the entrances to Doune Cottage and the farm keep straight ahead to follow a footpath parallel to the road that runs alongside the playing field. Go through the gate and cross the road to follow the pavement alongside Loch Insh until Insh Watersports is reached. Here go past the reception and do not follow the woodland walks sign next to the Loch but head uphill next to the children's play area following the Badenoch Way signs.

Stage 5

The path passes between two fences with woodland on the right and houses on the left. When it emerges onto the road (B970) turn right along the road for a short distance until a small marker post indicates a path into the woods on the right. This is part of Insh Marshes National Nature Reserve, owned by the RSPB. The meandering path heads downhill, soon coming alongside the loch. The route ascends and descends steps on high banks, before eventually bearing left at a junction and then right before the path narrows again and reaches the road. Cross the road diagonally right to pick up another path on the far side which runs parallel to the road on the other side of a fence. When this path reaches a track, turn sharp left through a gate to head uphill.

Stage 6

Look out for a signed path on the right following a line of power lines up a gap in the forest. At the top of the hill the route bears left into the forest. After a short while the Badenoch Way turns right. Continue following the signed route through the forest until the B970 is reached. Turn left immediately to follow a path along the back of the houses at Insh, keeping straight ahead where any paths join. Once in more open ground pass a picnic table ignoring the path to the right.

Stage 7

Go through a gate and continue straight ahead on the track where a path leads to Insh to the right. After a pretty cottage on the right go through a gate and continue ahead passing the houses at Inveruglass. At the end of the track go through a gate onto a grassy path which crosses moorland to reach the edge of a pine wood where there is a bench. Follow the path around the edge of the wood and then into the pines. Go through a gate to follow the path between fences. The track then reaches the surfaced road at Drumguish, go straight ahead at the crossroads with the post box, to follow a rougher track past more houses and then alongside pine woods to reach the Glen Tromie road. Turn right here to take the track down to Tromie Bridge. The final section follows the Insh Marshes Invertromie Trail through the RSPB nature reserve overlooking the marshes. Turn left to cross the stone bridge and then go through a gate on the right into the meadow.

Stage 8

Keep right to follow the river passing a gauging station and reaching a path in the far corner. Follow this, going through a gate and then heading uphill following the small white arrows for the Invertromie Trail as well as the Badenoch Way signs. Ignore a path heading back on the left and follow a raised ridge with silver birch trees, go through a gate and pass a bench. Keep following the white arrows and cross a track before reaching a small detour to the right to a viewpoint. Follow the grassy path to reach more trees with glimpses of the marshes to the right. Go through a gate and soon there is a detour to a bird hide on the right. Straight ahead the path soon crosses a bridge and another gate to descend steps leading to the car park at Invertromie Reserve. This is the end of the Badenoch Way although it is possible to follow the B970 the final 2.5 km past Ruthven Barracks to reach Kingussie.

Route Profile

Where to stay

Kingussie & Newtonmore Hotels

Kingussie & Newtonmore B&B

Kingussie & Newtonmore cottages

Cairngorms hostels

Glamping and Camping

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