Dava Way
The Dava Way is a 39 km traffic-free route from Forres to Grantown-on-Spey through Dava Moor — following a former Highland railway line through blanket bog and open moorland on one of Scotland's quieter Great Trails.
Route description only — GPX file coming soon.
About Dava Way
The Dava Way follows the former Strathspey Railway line from Forres to Grantown-on-Spey across the high plateau of Dava Moor. The railway closed in 1965 but the trackbed is now a well-surfaced multi-use path, climbing gently from the Moray lowlands to 340 m on the moor before descending to Strathspey.
For trail runners it is a fast, straightforward route on excellent surfaces. Dava Moor is open and exposed but the gradients are railway-gentle. The moorland scenery is bleak but atmospheric — wide skies, bog cotton and distant Cairngorm views on clear days.
The route
Forres to Dava (~20 km): The climb from the Moray lowlands onto the moor. Logie Steading provides a good refreshment stop.
Dava to Grantown-on-Spey (~19 km): Across the high moor and descent to Strathspey. Grantown is a gracious Highland planned town.
Getting there & logistics
Start: Forres. Train on the Inverness–Aberdeen line.
Finish: Grantown-on-Spey. Bus to Aviemore (train to Inverness and Edinburgh).
Best time: Year-round. The railway surface drains well.
Safety
The Dava Way is a low-hazard route — always following the old railway line. The moor is exposed in bad weather. In an emergency: call 999 or 112. Reasonable mobile signal for most of the route.
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