Speyside Way 4: Ballindalloch to Grantown-on-Spey

Summary

This is the most strenuous section of the Speyside Way, following undulating paths and tracks through woods and fields (boggy and with a feeling of being 'fenced in' in places). Good views and a lovely finish through the beautiful native Scots pines of Anagach Woods.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Paths and tracks through woods and pastures. A fair amount of ascent and descent and some boggy sections.

Getting there

Start

Cragganmore.

Public Transport

Buses to Grantown-on-Spey and Ballindalloch.

Start Grid Ref

NJ167366

Open in Google Maps

Services

Ballindalloch has a B&B, a hostel and an informal camping area with toilet. Grantown on Spey is a country town with a range of shops and places to eat, as well as hotels, guest houses, B&B and a campsite.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 23.25km / 14.5 miles
Time: 5 - 6 hours
Ascent: 502m (Profile)

Mapping and GPS

ROUTE MAP
View detailed map of walk

OS Paper map
OL61 - Grantown-on-Spey

Get our App FREE
Full GPS mapping &
descriptions when offline

Export GPX

Export KMZ

Open on Big Map showing all our routes

Want to sponsor this route?

Walk Description

User reports (6)

Stage 1

This stage begins in Ballindalloch where there is a small car park, basic camping area, toilet and information board about the route. Begin by turning left along the line of the old railway, passing alongside the attractive old Ballindalloch station. Soon a missing bridge means that the route descends some steps to the left to cross a track. Cross the track to rejoin the old rail line and follow it through an avenue of lovely birch trees. Looking back there are good views towards Ben Rinnes.

Stage 2

Continue through more birchwoods until a sharp turn left where a broken fence used to block the railway (don't continue ahead on the small path here) but head uphill instead. It climbs up through the trees and passes through the first of many pedestrian gates (some with yellow handles) - these mark the next complex section of the route just as much as any waymarkers. Eventually the route bears right alongside a fence to cross a more open area. This can be very boggy underfoot, although there are stepping stones and boardwalk. The white building seen ahead to the left is the Tormore Distillery. Pass through several more gates; the route soon runs along a grassy track and just before a metal farm gate bear left through a smaller gate to follow the path between fences around the field and up to the the busy A95.

Stage 3

Carefully cross to the far side and bear right to follow the path between the fence and pine trees next to the road. This is sometimes overgrown but keeps walkers away from the speeding traffic. Eventually this swings left, leaving the road behind and climbing a grassy path through some more gates, under the pylons and into the pinewoods above. Amongst the trees it meets a forestry track - turn right following it uphill until a Speyside Way sign indicates where to turn right onto a narrow path in the trees. This descends steeply to leave the forest and meet a grassy track which slopes down to the right. When this meets a harder-surfaced track turn sharp left along it, and then right at the signpost to head down to a footbridge.

Stage 4

On the far side head up the track to the right for a short distance and at a marker post head directly uphill to reach another marker just below the birch trees and the remains of an old track. Turn right along this until a sharp left turn through a wooden gate and almost immediately turning right along a grassy track that heads into the Woods of Knockfrink. This leads through the plantation for almost 2km to reach a signed T-junction - turn left here. When the track reaches a gate, a marker post indicates a right turn downhill to reach the edge of the trees. Go through a gate and turn right alongside the fence, with good views over Strathspey. Continue downhill until a path with stepping stones diverts left away from the edge of the forest. After more gates the route bears right and then left to cross a small burn. Another series of gates lead along the upper edge of a birchwood.

Stage 5

Turn right at the end of the birchwood to pass a stone marking the beginning of the Cairngorms National Park. Go along the gated section of path and then join a track to cross a tiny burn; on the far side the gated path bears left between the two fences. After lots more gates - keeping heading through them all is your best guide to this section - the route turns to the right and leads through Meiklepark Wood. At the far end of this it turns right again, downhill, and then left along the top of a grassy scarp with good views to the right. It then bears right and left - a steep zig-zag downhill - before heading to the right between two fences. After a left turn, cross the footbridge over a burn, and continue ahead to reach a minor road. Cross this, go through the gate on the far side and along a path which turns right and runs parallel to it for a short distance. It then bears left uphill, through another gate and climbs steeply between fences. At the end of the fenced section bear left past some fine birches to reach the edge of the forestry (and yet another gate).

Stage 6

The route now follows a forest track, ignoring turns to the left and right. Further on pass through a gate and descend gently. Eventually another gate leads onto a surfaced track through a felled area - follow this (keeping right when another track joins) to reach the A95. Cross the busy road and turn right along the verge on the far side, then down the next track on the left. Turn left again (marker post) to rejoin the route of the old railway line. This is now followed, straight as an arrow and flat at last - for some distance, passing through several gates, over a bridge and across a tarred lane and a hard surfaced track. Ignore a footbridge continuing until a sewage works on the right. At this point the route descends the embankment to the left to reach a lane and turns briefly left before a right turn leads back through a gate onto the railway line Otherwise pass the former Cromdale Station, now a private house. Continue under the road and curve right to reach to a minor road. Keep straight ahead, passing Cromdale Church.

Stage 7

Continue over the metal bridge over the River Spey and then turn left onto a track for a very short section before taking the signed path to the right which runs alongside a fence. After a shortish section go through a gate and turn left onto a track and soon the gate into Anagach Woods is reached. These woods are home to the rare Capercaillie (listen out for its distinctive horse hoof, clop clop, sound) - dogs should be kept on short leads from April to August to prevent disturbance of these birds.

Stage 8

Follow the main path through the woods keeping to the cycle path marked by thistle Speyside Way markers. Ignore a path to the left and later where the path forks keep left. At the next junction, bear right and then keep right again at a further junction, following the cyclepath. When a green shed and the golf course can be seen ahead turn left to stay in the woods. Cross an open area, turning right at a cairn here to stay on the main path. Go past a gate to reach a small parking area, follow the main track here with the golf course off to your right. At the junction with the houses ahead the Speyside Way turns left on the wide track then path through the woods. For the short detour into the centre of Grantown on SPey, follow the road to the right keeping straight ahead at the staggered cross roads to reach The Square in the centre of the wide High Street.

Next stage: Grantown on Spey to Boat of Garten

Route Profile

Report error

Let us know if you've found an error in our route, or if it needs updating.

Write walk report

Share your story and photos from this route.
£150 of Highlander Outdoor gear to win every month.

Can you help support walkhighlands?

This website and app are run by 'Walkhighlands for All' - a not-for-profit set up to serve walkers' needs.
We rely on the generosity of our users - can you help?