Explore Moray Speyside with Always Another Adventure.
Travel along three of the area’s popular cycling paths, making up the Moray Speyside Gravel Triangle.
Are you a novice cyclist looking to start out, an experienced adventurer ready for your next escapade or anything in between? If so, then look no further than the Moray Speyside Gravel Triangle.
The gravel triangle begins by tackling The Speyside Way towards the beautiful Moray coastline, then traveling along the coastline towards Forres, at the boundary of the Moray region, then heading back down the Dava Way to finish back where you started. This trip can take around 4 days, however we would encourage you to take the time to visit some of the great attractions and towns that this area has to offer.
Our friends, Simon and Sean from Always Another Adventure took on the Moray Speyside Gravel Triangle in 2021 and you can watch their experience from their YouTube series.
THE FOUR-DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1 – SPEYSIDE WAY (AVIEMORE TO CRAIGELLACHIE)
Starting your journey in Aviemore, you will make your way along the historic railway line, The Speyside Way, towards the village of Craigellachie. As you enter Moray Speyside you will pass a variety of whisky distilleries that are only a stone’s throw away from the cycle route, such as:
– Tormore Distillery
– Tamdhu Distillery
– Knockando Distillery
– Dalmunach Distillery
Continuing the route, you will approach Ballindalloch Estate which provides you with breath-taking views of the River Spey, known for being the fastest-flowing river in Scotland. The estate is also home to Ballindalloch Castle and Gardens where there are picnic areas, gift shop, tearoom, and children’s play area… perfect for a well-earned rest.
Now, a journey like this will require plenty pit stops to fuel up. Enroute, you can take a break at the Delnashaugh Hotel in Ballindalloch or stop in the town of Aberlour where you can find cafes, hotels, and local convenience shops all on the high street.
Accommodation on your first night will be in Craigellachie which offers some lovely bespoke establishments such as the Craigellachie Hotel or the Craigellachie Lodge.
For Sean and Simon, they stayed at The Highlander Inn, located in Craigellachie, on the edge of the Speyside Way. Ideal for cyclists and walkers, a ramp can take you directly to the private car park at the back of the Inn. The hotel also offers dining in their restaurant/ whisky bar, where you can enjoy freshly prepared food using locally sources ingredients.
DAY 2 – SPEYSIDE WAY (CRAIGELLACHIE TO CULLEN)
After a refreshing night’s sleep and breakfast to set you up for the day, you will leave Craigellachie along the Speyside Way and head towards Cullen.
Once back on the Speyside Way, the historic Telford Bridge will come into sight, and you can access this bridge through the Craigellachie Park (directly across from The Highlander Inn) if you would like a closer look.
As you join a part of the Moray Coastal route you can visit the WDC Scottish Dolphin Centre at Spey Bay where you can spot the local wildlife.
For lunch or a light bite on your travels, you could take a break in Fochabers at the Gordon Arms Hotel or further along the track, you could stop at Bijou by the Sea where you can enjoy beautiful beach views from the comfort of their popular restaurant.
Accommodation and dinner on the second night will be in the coastal town of Cullen, home to the famous Cullen Skink soup. There are a number of hotels and self-catering cottages available in Cullen, as well as several restaurants and takeaway options.
Always Another Adventure’s Sean and Simon stayed at the traditional, family run hotel, The Royal Oak. Cullen’s famous Viaduct and sandy beach can be found right on the hotel’s doorstep and can be seen from many of the guest rooms.
DAY 3 – MORAY COASTAL TRAIL
Traveling along the Moray Coastal Trail from Cullen, you will be able to follow stretches of sandy beaches such as popular Roseisle Beach and Hopeman Beach and pass various picturesque golf courses overlooking the ocean.
* Head over to our dedicated Moray Speyside Golf page to find out more about the golfing opportunities (both inland and coastal) in the region.
Some interesting sights along the route include Covesea lighthouse, and Cove Bay and caves near Hopeman. You can also visit many of the coastal villages such as:
- Portknockie
- Buckie
- Lossiemouth
- Burghead
- Findhorn
The end of the Moray Coastal Trail will take you past medieval Sueno’s Stone and into the centre of Forres (where you can visit our friends at The Bike Bothy).
Accommodation on your third night will be in Forres which has a variety of hotels and guest houses available. Sean and Simon from Always Another Adventure stayed in The Carisbrooke Hotel during their stay in Forres where they also enjoyed a meal in the hotel’s restaurant and bar.
DAY 4 – THE DAVA WAY (FORRES TO AVIEMORE)
Heading back towards your original starting point, you will travel along the Dava Way. Here, you will see sights such as Dallas Dhu Distillery, Blair’s Loch and the Divie Viaduct which offer amazing, picturesque views and photo opportunities.
As you head out of the Moray Speyside region, you will be able to stop off at Grantown on Spey where you can enjoy a variety of cafes, restaurants and takeaways for lunch, and unique shops on the main high street.
All images courtesy of Always another Adventure
VIDEO PLAYLIST
Download the Moray Gravel Triangle Information PDF