Gravel Cycling
Speyside Way Whisky Trail Gravel
The Speyside Way from the Moray coast up the Spey valley to Aviemore
Quick facts
- Distance
- 107 km (66 mi)
- Ascent
- Not published
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Route type
- Linear
- Archetype
- Heritage Trail
- Region
- Speyside
- Start point
- Buckie
- Grid ref
- NJ 428 654
- Parking
- AB56 1EB
- Midges
- Moderate
- Dogs
- On lead only
Surface breakdown
- Railway path45%
- Tarmac single-track30%
- Forest track25%
About this route
The Speyside Way follows the River Spey inland from Buckie on the Moray coast. Its main spine runs 107 km to Aviemore, passing Fochabers, Craigellachie, Aberlour, Ballindalloch, Grantown-on-Spey, Nethy Bridge and Boat of Garten; the official walking route continues to Newtonmore, and a spur climbs to Tomintoul. The middle of the valley is whisky country, with distilleries close to the route around Craigellachie and Aberlour.
The surface varies. Around Craigellachie, Aberlour and Ballindalloch the way uses an old railway line; elsewhere it is on quiet roads, forest tracks and paths, and the section between Grantown and Ballindalloch is rougher and hillier than the railway miles. Thomas Telford's iron bridge over the Spey at Craigellachie is on the way.
Highlights
- Telford's iron bridge over the Spey at Craigellachie
- The old railway line through Aberlour and towards Ballindalloch
- Whisky country in the middle Spey valley
- The Strathspey Railway between Aviemore, Boat of Garten and Broomhill
Key waypoints
- 1. Buckie
- 2. Fochabers
- 3. Craigellachie
- 4. Aberlour
- 5. Ballindalloch
- 6. Grantown-on-Spey
- 7. Nethy Bridge
- 8. Boat of Garten
- 9. Aviemore
Cafés & pubs on route
- · Villages along the way — Fochabers, Craigellachie, Aberlour, Grantown-on-Spey, Boat of Garten — have shops and cafés; check opening times out of season
Heritage context
Key site on this route: Telford's iron bridge over the Spey at Craigellachie. Historic Environment Scotland and local councils manage many listed structures along it — respect conservation fencing and interpretation areas. Some managed sites charge for entry and others are free; check historicenvironment.scot for current opening hours before you ride.
Route notes
Distance is the Speyside Way's own figure for Buckie to Aviemore; no ascent or timings are published. The way is shared with walkers, so slow down and use your bell on the railway path. Ride south from Buckie or north from Aviemore — there is no rail link between the two ends, so plan the return before you set off. Distillery tours usually need booking.
Best season & site opening times
The route can be ridden most of the year, though the forest and hill sections are muddier and colder in winter. Spirit of Speyside, the whisky festival, fills accommodation each spring — check its own dates before planning around it.
Key hazards
- Alcohol and cycling — it is an offence to ride while unfit through drink (Road Traffic Act 1988 s.30), and there is no "safe" number of drams
- Narrow road crossings near Craigellachie
- Shared paths with walkers — slow down and use your bell
- Sheep and cattle on sections through farmland
- Rougher, hillier ground between Grantown and Ballindalloch
Water sources on route
- Fill up in the villages; treat river and burn water before drinking
Always filter or treat water from natural sources. Carry at least 1L reserve on remote sections.
OS map sheets
Nearest hill
Ben Rinnes
840.9m · cairngorms
View hill
Nearest bothy
Ryvoan Bothy
3km walk-in · cairngorms
View bothy
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 07:22
- Sunset
- 16:29
- Civil dawn
- 06:40
- Civil dusk
- 17:11
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 October 2026
Common questions
- How long is the Speyside Way to Aviemore?
- About 107 km from Buckie to Aviemore. The official walking route continues to Newtonmore, and there is a separate spur to Tomintoul.
- Is the Speyside Way busy with walkers?
- It is well used in summer, especially on the railway path around Aberlour. Slow down, use your bell and give walkers room.
- Can I use the Strathspey Railway as part of my route?
- The heritage railway runs between Aviemore, Boat of Garten and Broomhill, which is its terminus. Check its own timetable and rules for bikes before relying on it.
- Is it legal to cycle after a distillery tasting?
- Section 30 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 makes it an offence to ride a cycle on a road while unfit through drink or drugs. There is no set blood-alcohol limit for cycling, so there is no safe number of drams — ask for samples to take away.
After the ride
Resupply, eat, drink — on the SCOT network.
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