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MorayGentle trails and family friendly forests along the Moray coastline

Explore the miles of waymarked trails or head off for your own adventure. The wider forest tracks are perfect for gentle cycling or horse riding. Mountain bikers; get your kicks on the fabulous Monster Trails.

The woods are great for families too; beach and play equipment at Roseisle, the awesome tower viewpoint at Culbin, and gentle walking at Torrieston. But if it’s peace and quiet you’re after, it’s easy to find a tranquil spot away from it all.

Don’t knock the bins!As you travel around Moray you’ll encounter places with ‘knock’ and ‘bin’ in their names. These come from the Gaelic cnoc ‘hill’ and beinn ‘mountain’, and remind us of the influence of the Gaels on this part of Scotland. Examples are Bin of Cullen, Knockando ‘market hill’ and Portknockie ‘harbour at the hilly place’.

Discover & enjoy…the forests of Moray

Gravel Pit PondsCulbin forest

Earth Pillars

A short circular walk with magnificent views over the river Spey. Below the path look for the remains of red earth pillars laid down by retreating glaciers thousands of years ago.

Beaches shift, trees grow, and the sun dips in and out for ever-changing views. Whether you’re here for the first time or a forest regular, no two visits are ever the same.

*

Oystercatcher

Contact details: Moray & Aberdeenshire Forest District Tel: 0300 067 6380Email: enquiries.east@forestryandland.gov.scot

© Crown Copyright 2019

For information on public transport services contact: Traveline Scotland, 0871 2002233 or www.travelinescotland.com

For more ideas of great days out in the forest, visit our website: www.forestry.gov.uk/scotlandFo

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Look out for more of our leaflets covering some of the forests in the area

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© Crown copyright and database right [2018]. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number [100021242].5 Torrieston

It’s trailtastic!4 Quarry Wood

Sands of time

A gentle wander through open pinewoods to the Black Burn. Plenty of places to rest and picnic.

A perfect combination of beech wood, pine forest and elegant Douglas firs, with some great views across the Moray countryside.

Black Burn Trail Douglas Fir Avenue Trail

Wide, firm and smooth gravel surface throughout. Generally flat with some short moderate slopes. Some parts may be slightly muddy. Includes a quiet road crossing and bridge 1.2m wide.

Uneven gravel and earth surface with exposed tree roots. Some fairly steep slopes and steps. Parts may occasionally be muddy.

1 ¼ miles / 1.9 kmsAllow ¾ hr

2 miles / 3.4 kmsAllow 1 hrs

Follow in the footsteps of a remarkable reptile, whose ancient fossils have been found in the sandstone quarries here.

Elginia Trail

Firm but uneven earthy and grassy surface. Many exposed tree roots and some slightly muddy sections. Fairly steep slopes. Includes a narrow opening.

3 miles / 5 kmsAllow 2 hrs

Explore Quarry Wood on the network of paths through pines, larch and native oakwood.

As you wander through the woods, you’ll come across disused sandstone quarries. Remarkable fossils have been found here of reptiles which lived in the desert sands 250 million years ago, well before the dinosaurs. One creature, named Elginia mirabilis, was about the size of a Labrador but armed with protective spines. You can see some of the fossils in Elgin museum, where you can also discover the rich human history of the area.

The ancient oakwood on the east side of the hill is an easy stroll from Elgin. If you’re quiet, you might spot roedeer as well as a variety of woodland birds. In springtime, listen out for the distinctive ‘drumming’ of great spotted woodpeckers as they declare their territory.

There is also an orienteering course in Quarry Wood. Maps are available to download from our website.

From Torrieston car park, head out on the trails toexplore the peaceful woodland on either side of the road.

Just across the road, the gentle all-abilities trail is a lovely loop for the whole family, through open pinewoods with picnic tables and benches. Linger by the Black Burn where salmon and otters have been seen in the treacle-black waters. If there’s a whiff of the tropics in the air, then you’ll soon see the coconut-scented yellow flowers of gorse, also known as whin.

The giant Douglas firs in the woods here were among the first trees to be planted by the Forestry Commission in the 1920s. Today they tower at over 40 metres high. Keep an eye out for daredevil red squirrels darting down the tree trunks head-first!

…making your own prehistoric creature out

of a pinecone, using twigs for legs?

…playing a game of ‘Poohsticks’

on the bridge?

3. Winding Walks Dramatic gully, great viewpoints and tempting pathways

Moray Monster Mountain Bike Trails

Start from Winding Walks or Ordiequish car parks. Over 30km of mountain bike routes for all levels. Download the Monster Trail leaflet for trail grades and maps from our website.

** Lossie Forest

Coastal forest ideal for cycling, walking and horse riding. Well-preserved Second World War defences hidden amongst the trees. Visit www.forestry.gov.uk/lossie to find out more about them.

Model replica of Elginia mirabilis

Horse-riding in Culbin

Play equiptment at Roseisle

1. Culbin Forest trails full of interest and a towering viewpoint

2. Roseisle Beach, barbecue and historic barricades

5. Torrieston Gentle trails for all the family

4. Quarry Wood An ancient woodland site with great views

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Front cover main image: Culbin Forest. Photo by Niall Benvie.

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2 Roseisle Delight them on the beaches

You can also follow the woodland paths through to Burghead or College of Roseisle. These paths are managed by Moray Council.

1 Culbin No ordinary forest

A gentle wander through pretty pine and birch woodland, and around the Gravel Pit Ponds.

Stretching from Nairn to Findhorn Bay, Culbin is a big forest. It’s a fantastic place to explore, using the extensive network of gravel tracks.

The Hill 99 Trail at Wellhill car park is ideal for first time visitors. Stroll through the forest and mossy glades to reach the Viewpoint Tower with its breath-taking views over waving treetops to the coast. The shorter and gentler Gravel Pit Ponds trail offers an even easier introduction to Culbin.

Culbin has fascinating wildlife and an even more fascinating history to discover. Pick up our Culbin leaflet or visit www.culbin.org.uk for the full story.

Wander the Winding Walks, follow a forest trail or test yourself on the Moray Monster mountain bike routes.

At the heart of these woods lies a dramatic, steep-sided gully, carved out over the years by a surprisingly small burn. The rugged paths which criss-cross the burn are the original Winding Walks, laid out in the 19th century by the Duke and Duchess of Gordon. This woodland was once part of their estate, connecting to Gordon Castle. At the top of Whiteash Hill there is a monument in memory of the Duchess – and a great view too. A little way down the hill, Ranald’s Grave marks the spot where a rather less fortunate local lived and died.

This coastal pinewood has everything for a perfect family day out: a long sandy beach, sheltered woodland trails, play equipment, simple barbecue facilities and easily accessible toilets.*

The sweet-smelling pinewoods here are a great place for a sheltered walk or cycle. Planted in the 1930s, these woods are now teeming with life. Look out for red squirrels and distinctive crested tits.

Stretch your legs along the beach, and keep an eye openfor seals bobbing in the bay and the plunging dives of bright white gannets. You’ll come across concrete blocks along the shoreline: part of Britain’s defences in the Second World War. Today, they’re excellent defence against the wind!

*the toilets are open from the start of April to the end of October

Gravel Pit Ponds Trail

Firm and smooth gravel surface. Generally flat with gentle slopes and some short moderate sections. No obstacles.

1 mile / 1.8 kmAllow ½ hr

Largely wide, firm and smooth gravel and sandy surface. Generally flat with some long moderate slopes and short steep sections. Includes some steps up to the viewing platform.

3 ½ miles / 5.7 kmAllow 2 hrs

Wind through the pine-covered sand dunes to the viewing tower on Hill 99 for a ‘squirrel’s eye’ view over the forest and across the Moray Firth.

Hill 99 Trail

This short path leads you through the forest just in from the shore to a grassy knoll beside the Bessie Burn with spectacular views to sea. See if you can spot the old ice house along the trail.

Ice House Trail

An undulating, moderately steep track, with some short fairly steep sections. Generally loose and sandy, or earthy paths which can be muddy after rain. Uneven sections with exposed tree roots.

1 ¼ miles / 2 kmsAllow ¾ hr

A stroll through this lovely coastal pine forest, taking in an old fishermen’s bothy and the sparkling Millie Burn.

Millie Bothy Trail

A loose sandy or earthy uneven path. Generally gentle to moderately steep, with some short fairly steep slopes. One long flight of steep, uneven log steps. Wet and muddy after rain.

1 ½ miles / 2.6 kmsAllow 1 ¼ hrs

A great circuit that takes in forest and foreshore, with a chance to spot seals, red squirrels and woodland birds.

Wildlife Trail

A narrow loose and sandy or earthy uneven surface. Can be wet after rain. Generally gentle to moderately steep, with short fairly steep slopes. One narrow bridge.

2 ½ miles / 4.2 kmsAllow 1 ¾ hrs

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Wellhillcar park

Hill 99 Viewpoint Tower

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© Crown copyright and database right [2018]. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number [100021242].

Winding Walkscar park

WindingWalks

3 Winding Walks Ways to unwind

Longhowe Loch

Hill 99 Viewpoint Tower

Duchess of Richmond Monument

A short loop through the forest to the gazebo tucked among the pines at Peeps Viewpoint. Enjoy impressive views over Fochabers and Strath Spey.

Peeps View Trail

Wide, uneven gravel and earth surface. Some exposed tree roots and potentially muddy patches. Long moderate slopes with some fairly steep sections. Includes short flight of steps up to viewpoint.

1 ½ miles / 2.3 kmsAllow 1 hr

Over 30km of mountain bike routes for all levels.

The fun starts either side of Fochabers at Winding Walks or Ordiequish. Don’t miss the pump track and skills loops at Winding Walks. Visit our website to download the Monster Trail leaflet for trail grades and maps.

Moray Monster Trails

Skirt around the towering firs, pines and cypresses of the 19th century woodland garden along Small Burn.

Small Burn Loop

Mostly wide, firm but uneven gravel surface. Long moderate slopes for half a mile with some steeper parts.

1 ½ miles / 2.4 kmsAllow 1 hr

Wander through the pinewoods to find secluded Longhowe Loch, a former curling pond that is a great place to picnic.

Secret Loch Way

Wide, firm but uneven gravel and grassy surface. Some exposed tree roots. Long moderate slopes for 500m with fairly steep sections.

1 ¾ miles / 3 kmsAllow 1 hr

Climb through the forest to the noble cairn erected on Whiteash Hill in memory of the Duchess of Richmond. There are wonderful views across the Moray Firth.

Monument Trail

Uneven gravel surface with slightly rocky, grassy and muddy parts. Long moderate slopes for over half a mile with some fairly steep sections. Includes some exposed tree roots.

3 miles / 4.9 kmsAllow 2 hrs

…lying on your back and gazing

up at the sky through the trees?

…looking for different

coloured natural things to make your own rainbow?