Self-Guided Walking: The Speyside Way

Self-Guided Walking: The Speyside Way 7 Days

From $831 USD

Trip URL: www.adventurelink.com/

2 reviews

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Overview
Itinerary
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Overview

Highlights

Duration: 7 Days
Comfort: 66.6666666666667%
Language: English
Rating: 80.0%
Style: Independent (Self-Guided)
Trip ID: 95698
Start Location: Inverness, United Kingdom
End Location: Inverness, United Kingdom

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Primary Activities: Hiking, Walking Tour
Other Activities: Wildlife, national parks

The Speyside Way is a long distance hiking trail, covering just over 100 kilometres (65 miles) from the fishing village of Buckie on the Moray coast to the village of Aviemore, which lies in the foothills of the great Cairngorms Mountains. The trail follows the banks of the River Spey, often along disused railway lines as it makes its way from the sea to the Cairngorms National Park.

The scenery is diverse and beautiful. Leaving the coast behind, you pass through rural farmland, open moorland and finally arrive in the mountains. Speyside being the centre for whisky making in Scotland, you pass by many distilleries along the way. You will also find several charming disused railway stations, which are a lovely place to stop for lunch.

The Speyside Way is the easiest of our long distance hiking routes. However, it still presents a good challenge and offers enjoyable walking and hiking through a changing landscape. Although it is not a wilderness trek, the trail itself is fairly quiet so you won’t be sharing it with many other hikers and will often find that you have it to yourself.

On this self-guided trip, we arrange your accommodation each evening and baggage transfer, as well as supplying you with detailed route notes and maps so that you get the most out of this wonderful hiking trail through Speyside.

Please note that many clients build in an extra night somewhere along the route. This can either act as a rest day or allow you to hike on some of the optional spurs that leave the Speyside Way and make for good single day hikes. Simply let us know at the time of booking if you would like any extra nights built into the itinerary.

Itinerary

Day 1: Inverness to Buckie, then hike to Fochabers: From Inverness, a train journey of less than one hour takes you to Elgin. From here, we arrange for a taxi to meet you and transfer you to Buckie for the start of the trail. Your luggage is transferred ahead to your accommodation. You follow the coastline westwards from Buckie to reach the River Spey at Spey Bay. Turning south, you begin your trek along the river banks, with your first night's stop being in Fochabers. (10 miles)
Day 2: Fochabers to Craigellachie: The Highland scenery opens up as you hike southwards along the Spey. Towards the end of the day you skirt around the base of Ben Aigen before reaching your accommodation at Craigellachie. (13 miles)
Day 3: Craigellachie to Ballindalloch: As the river turns eastwards, so does the trail. This is prime whisky country, so try not to get distracted by too many distilleries - but do enjoy a well deserved dram at the end of the day! (12 miles)
Day 4: Ballindalloch to Grantown on Spey: The scenery becomes more mountainous today, with the Cromdale hills to the south and the main Cairngorm plateau just a short distance beyond. The trail, however, follows the river banks until it reaches the popular village of Grantown on Spey. (13 miles)
Day 5: Grantown on Spey to Boat of Garten: The trail mostly follows an old railway line, with some sections on forest trails too. You are now in the upper Spey Valley and the forests of Scots Pine are home to many species which are fairly common here but rare in other parts of Scotland. Look out for red squirrels! (11 miles)
Day 6: Boat of Garten to Aviemore: The final day of hiking is a short one so many hikers choose to extend it slightly by visiting Loch Garten and Loch Mallachie, which are located close to Boat of Garten. These beautiful lochs are great for wildlife, including osprey. These magnificent birds can usually be seen at a nature reserve next to Loch Garten. Arriving in Aviemore at the end of the trek, you will feel satisfied, invigorated and, perhaps, that it is time to celebrate! Check in to your comfortable accommodation and treat yourself to a special dinner in a local restaurant. (6 miles excluding the lochs detour)
Day 7: Travel to Inverness: A simple train ride takes you back to Inverness in less than 1 hour from Aviemore to complete the journey.

Nuts & Bolts

Trip Includes

6 nights’ accommodation on a Bed and Breakfast basis in Guest Houses, Bed and Breakfasts, Small Hotels and Inns along the route, based on two people sharing a twin or double room.
Luggage transfer for the duration of the trip, meaning you will only have to carry a day rucksack.
Taxi transfer from Elgin to Buckie on Day 1.
Route notes which include a map and full directions to your accommodations.
The services of Wilderness Scotland prior to & during your holiday.

Trip Excludes

Transport to and from the holiday start/end point (unless mentioned above)
Travel insurance and personal equipment
Any meals except breakfasts
Incidental personal expenditure e.g. alcoholic drinks, laundry, etc
Any other items not mentioned as included

Trip ID#: 95698

CANCELLATIONS: 20% cancellation fee applied if cancelled 60 days prior to departure. Cancellations within 60 days are 100% non-cancelable

Operator

For the specifics on this tour operator, please contact AdventureLink directly.

Reviews (2)

John Drysdale

We enjoyed a variety of bed and breakfasts, all good, some excellent and likewise with the food. Through no fault of theirs, members of our group signed up late and/or pulled out fairly late. the changes were handled by WS with great patience and understanding. All of us found you were thoughtful and intelligent in process the information we needed.
- Overall Rating
  90%
- Guide Rating
  90%
- Value Rating
  80%
- Itinerary Rating
  80%
- Accomodation Rating
  70%
G Petersmeyer

We loved the Speyside Way! The hiking was pitched at the right level for us, on good trails and through beautiful scenery. It felt like a real adventure as we hiked from village to village. The purple heather was incredible - more vibrant than we could have imagined. And the distillery visit was a great way to experience the history and culture of Scotland. Thanks so much - it was a very memorable vacation.
- Overall Rating
  70%
- Guide Rating
  100%
- Value Rating
  80%
- Itinerary Rating
  90%
- Accomodation Rating
  70%

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