Dava Way: The Epic Long Distance Walking Guide

Dava Way is one of Scotland’s Great Long Distance Walking Routes. For 24 miles (38 kilometres) the route follows the old Highland Railway line through the historic towns of Forres and Grantown-on-Spey. 

The trail is unique as there has been no public funding to allow this project to grow. The route has been maintained by volunteers. 

Not only is the route a good long-distance route for walkers but it is enjoyed by cyclists. The route begins in Grantown-on-Spey in the Cairngorms National Park and finishes in Forres, near the Moray Coast. 

The route is a varied walk, winding through forests, walking the coast of the Moray Firth, into the Dava Moor to the Dava Summit at 1050 feet (320 metres). Moreover, the route features scenic views across dense woodland, empty moorland and fertile farmland. 

The Dava Way connects the to two other long distance walking routes. Grantown-On-Spey connects to Speyside Way, and Forres connects to the Moray Coast Trail. 

The Speyside Way and Moray Coast Trail connect at Spey Bay. Therefore, Dava Way, Moray Coast Trail and Speyside Way make an excellent long-distance circular route known as the Moray Way. 

On a clear day, walkers can see over the Moray Firth as far as north as Sutherland. Also, there are views across Cromdale Hills and Cairngorms Mountains. 

Services

There are no places to stop for refreshments throughout the route. It is advised that you carry refreshments, food and water for your journey.

Accommodation

Grantown-On-Spey:

Dava:

Forres:

There are suitable places along the way where walkers can wild camp. When wild camping please follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and make sure no trace is left behind. 

Public Transport

There are buses available from Aviemore and Inverness to Grantown-on-Spey. Also, there are buses from Forres to Inverness. 

No direct routes are available from Grantown-On-Spey to Forres without connecting in Inverness. A school bus route which is accessible to the public runs from Grantown-On-Spey to Dunphail. 

The school bus runs a morning and afternoon bus service during term time and members of the public can use this service. Advanced booking must be made, standard bus fares apply.

Section 1: Grantown-On-Spey to Dava

The first section of the route begins in the wide main street in Grantown-On-Spey. Turn onto, head north west and follow this road out of town.

The route heads under the railway, then takes an immediate right onto a path. There is an option here to detour to the left to view the waterfall. 

After the first kilometre, head in the north east direction. The old railway line begins to ascend gently and leads through Lynmacgregor Wood. 

At the two kilometre mark, the route starts heading north along the west side of the A930 road. There is a slight break in the old railway line and the Dava Way crosses the road. 

The route leads to Wester Dreggie, continues to follow the signs. Continues to head north and heads into Mid Lynmore Wood.

On the way, walkers can view the Castle Grant East Lodge. The lodge was sed as a station for Lady Catherine’s halt, built for the nearby Castle Grant. 

The route contiues to head north into the open Dava Moor. Look out for the wooden Red Coat, heading to fight the Jacobites at the Battle of Cromdale in 1690.

The highest point of the route at 320 metres (1,052 feet) is reached. It is a gentle climb and the peak is marked by a sign.  

Along the way the route is Loch Mhic Leoid and a few isolated houses. After approximately 7 kilometres, the this section of the route finishes at Dava.

Section 2: Dave to Dunphail

The second part of the route begins in Dava and crosses the empty moorland to reach Divie Viaduct. From Dava there is a track which leads into the woods. 

The path winds follows a fence line for a brief amount of time to leave the trees between two large wooden posts. Turn left, follow the waymarkers of  the old railway line.

Continue to follow the old railway line, leave the trees behind as the route runs across the open moor. The old railway lines curves to the right and passes the eastern slopes of the heathery hill, Knock of Braemory. 

After 5 kilometres from leaving Dava, the landscape becomes more wooded and to the east you can spot an abandoned farmhouse of Bogeny. 

The route continues through the open moorland and into Bantrach Wood. Keep hoing straight and the Divie Viaduct is soon reached. 

The Divie Viaduct has seven arches, stands at 145 metres and 52 metres high. At the time of building in 1860s, the structure cost £10,000 to build. 

From the Divie Viaduct, thre are excellent views down to the River Divie far below. There are so more old buildings on route. 

After a kilometres, the the route turns right off the old railway line and passes through the Old Dunphail Station which is now a private house.

At Dunphail there is a Dava Way information board, a picnic area and a new car park at Dunphail. 

Section 3: Dunphail to Forres

The last part of the Dava Way features woods and fields. There is a car parking area at Edinkillie Community Hall. 

Turn left to join the old highland railway line and head north towards Forres. The route passes under a bridge which has the Half Divoch moor road on it. 

The route follows through many fields and grazing land, with gates to separate each part. Some parts of this route are muddy and there are a few way markers, however the route is pretty straight forward. 

Continue to walk under Peathillock Bridge. After this walkers can take an optional detour to the cafe at Logie Steading and walk to Randolph’s Leap.

After four kilometres, the route enters a forest called Cowgreen’s Wood, and turns right slightly to cross a minor road. Soon, you will come aross an iron bridge over the Altyre Burn. 

Later on, the route passes under the Scurrypool Bridge. After Squirrel Neuk Bridge the route heads left and leaves the old highland line. 

The route passes through a gate, reaches a house and leads back onto the Old Highland Line. Gaining height, the route opnes up to wonderful views across the arable land. 

The Dava Way then crosses a bridge over Rafford Road and follows a farm track. A popular visitor attraction, Dallas Dhu Distillery can be seen to the left. 

The distillery is now owned by Historic Scotland and everything is perfectly preserved. The working distillery closed in 1983, reopening in 1988 as a visitor attraction, it is a fine memorial to traditional distilling. 

The route follows under another bridge and leads to Mannachie Avenue in the outskirts of Forres. The centre of Forres marks the end of the Dava Way.

Can You Cycle the Dava Way?

The Dava Way is a route for walkers and off roads cyclists. The surface is quite rough, made with track-bed material, rough in places, however still good for wlaking and off-road cycling.

What is the history of the Dava Way?

The Dava Way is a long distance walking route which follows the old route of the Highland Railway Line between Grantown-On-Spey and Forres. In 1863, the railway line opened and connected between Inverness and Perth, then closed in 1965. 

The line was redeveloped and in 2005, it opened as a long distance walking path. 

Final Note

This post is a detailed route description for the Dava Way. The Dava Way is a long distance walking route which connect Grantown-On-Spey in the Cairngorms National Park to Forres near the Moray Coast.

The Dava Way follows the old Highlands Railway ling that used to operate from Perth to Inverness. The line closed in the 1960s and the Dava Way was opened by volunteers in 2005.

The 24 mile route takes 2-3 days to complete, also keen walkers can complete the whole route in one day. One factor to this is the limited public transport and accommodation options near the route. 

The Dava Way is a wild environment, make sure to wear appropriate clothing and footwear before setting out. In addition, the weather in the Highlands can change dramacially over a short space of time so make sure to bring extra layers for upland sections. 

In the summer months make sure to pack suncream and midge repellent. Dogs are welcome on the route as long as they are kept on leads due to the wild animals roaming in the area.

The epic Dava Way can be completed with the Moray Coast Trail and Speyside Way to complete a large long distance circular walking route known as the Moray Way. In total, the Moray Way is 95 miles (153 kilometres) long and takes 8-10 days to complete.