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.
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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