Nairn East Beach, Kingsteps and Culbin

Summary

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. The route usually involves an easy beach paddle but can be impassable at high tides.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Sandy beach, burn crossing, boggy woodland path, and minor road (no pavement). Burn crossing on beach section can be impassable at high tide / after heavy rains.

Getting there

Start

The Maggot car park.

Public Transport

Buses to Nairn.

Start Grid Ref

NH889571

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 10km / 6.25 miles
Time: 2 - 3 hours
Ascent: 45m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (7)

Stage 1

The walk is described from the Maggot car park; if starting from the harbour cross the bridge over the River Nairn to reach the Maggot. 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.

Stage 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 the low dunes end on the right end. Unseen just inland is a small lochan, and the route crosses the outflow which is across the beach. This may be impassable at high tide or after heavy rain, but usually can be done with an easy paddle (or even dry) where the outflow crosses the sands.

Stage 3

Once past the burn continue along the beach for another 400m or so, keeping an eye out for a faint path to the right (check location with the map if unsure). This path crosses the saltmarsh to the trees. Just before the trees it meets a wider path.

Stage 4

Turn left along this; it is quite boggy in places. Keep an eye out for a path, heading right into the forest after 250m or so. Take this, climbing and crossing another path to head into the pines. Very soon the end of an old forest track is reached. Do not follow the narrow path straight ahead but turn left onto the track, which is often muddy underfoot at first. After 300m there's a grassy path heading off right - you can take this for a detour through the trees, turning right again when it eventually rejoins the track. If you miss the turning, or want an easier route, simply remain on the track.

Stage 5

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. 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 pleasant views over the farmland on this section.

Stage 6

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. Bear right through the car park and onto a lane. When this eventually curves right to reach another house, keep ahead / slightly left onto a clear path. The path soon reaches a bench at the Minister's Pool.

Stage 7

Turn left and follow the well made 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 straight ahead through the holiday park or take the first path on the right after the car park and keep straight ahead over the dunes to reach the beach where you can turn left to return along the first part of the outward route.

Route Profile

Where to stay

Forres & Nairn Hotels

Forres & Nairn B&B

Forres & Nairn cottages

Moray hostels

Glamping and Camping

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