Divie Gorge circuit, from Logie Steading

Summary

Logie Steading is a well-known spot above the River Findhorn, but this superb circuit explores the much less visited course of the River Divie, where if flows through a lovely wooded gorge. There is plenty of interest with waterfalls and the ruins of a former castle - as well as the cafe at Logie Steading for after the walk.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Woodland paths, mostly clear but informal in one or two places. Some steeper sections.

Public Transport

Bus 490 from Forres Mon - Fri.

Start

Logie Steading visitor centre, off B9007 south of Forres. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 7.25km / 4.5 miles
Time: 1.5 - 2 hours
Ascent: 182m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NJ006505

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (1)

Stage 1

From the parking area at the Logie Steading visitor centre (where there is a cafe and shops), cross the entrance driveway and head past the children's play area opposite where there is an info board with details of the popular walk to Randolph's Leap. Continue down alongside the hedge until a signed junction. The path to the right links with the Sluie walk; our route turns left (blue marker). There are good views back to Logie House, whose white walls stand out against the dark trees.

Stage 2

When the path forks take the turn to the right, marked with a white arrow. Head downhill to reach a viewpoint, with a stunning view over the River Findhorn. Turn left here to follow the path which descends towards the river and heads upstream. At a junction keep heading by the river. The path keeps between a fence and the trees and steep river bank.

Stage 3

After a big still pool, the confluence of the rivers Divie and Findhorn are reached at a dramatic rocky confluence. The path heads above the Divie, soon reaching a junction - turn right here to meet the road. Turn right along the road to cross the bridge over the Divie, then turn left on the far side onto an informal path, immediately beyond the sharp bend chevrons. After winding through the trees the path climbs, turning left and then right to ascend a steep slope.

Stage 4

At the next junction turn left (green arrow). The path leads through the trees, heading around the Doune of Relugas, which was the site of a hill fort dating from the first millenium BC. After passing round the hillside, a junction is reached (just before a house down on the left). Turn left here, and then right at a second junction just beyond, then left at yet another junction - all of these are waymarked with green or black arrows. Finally keep left again, and the path soon comes above the gorge of the Divie. A black arrow indicates where you need to bear right to keep above the river - though a short detour towards the gate ahead reveals a view of an attractive waterfall.

Stage 5

Continue along the main path when another joins in from the right. This section is a delight as the path leads along the side of the wooded gorge; there are a couple of boardwalks and a seat. Eventually the path descends steeply to cross a long and rather rickety wooden footbridge over the river.

Stage 6

At the path junction on the far side turn right to continue upriver. The fine path soon crosses a bridge over a rocky tributary; keep right at the fork beyond to stay closer to the river. When a flatter area is reached keep ahead; soon after this the path bears left along the line of an old embankment and then approaches closer to the river once more. Eventually the path meets a track by another bridge over the river; turn left here.

Stage 7

Bear left along the tarmac lane and with the house on your right bear right at the fork to aim left of a wooden garage to cross a grassy area. The prominent tree-clad mound on your left is topped by the ruins of Dunphail Castle, which date to the 14th century. You can detour steeply up to it if you wish, otherwise follow the path through the wooded dell to its right. The path leads across several wooden boardwalks as it curves left, passing some ponds before eventually returning to the tarmac lane. Turn right along this.

Stage 8

Follow the tarred lane through the woods for around 1.25km, then, just after passing between two old stone gateposts, turn left onto a rough farm track. This crosses a field and heads back into the trees. After 500m or so of this track look out for a path heading off left into an area of bracken. This soon leads downhill through woodland, keeping left at a faint junction to roughly follow a line of telegraph poles sloping down parallel to the road soon seen below. Eventually the path leads through some dense rhododendron and then emerges on the road opposite some buildings. Turn right along the road, then left into the entrance driveway for Logie Steading. Follow this back to the car park at the start.

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