Moray Coast Trail

The Moray Coastal Trail is a long-distance path in North-East Scotland that runs along the coastline of the Moray council area. The route, which is 72 km (45 mi) long, runs between Forres and Cullen. It is designated as one of Scotland's Great Trails by NatureScot, and connects with two further Great Trails: the Speyside Way at Spey Bay, and the Dava Way at Forres.^[2] The Moray Coast Trail can be combined with sections of these two routes to form a 153 km (95 mi) circular route known as the Moray Way,^[3] and also forms part of the North Sea Trail.^{[citation needed]} The trail is primarily intended for walkers, but many sections are also suitable for cycling and horseriding.^[4] An alternative route for cycling, the Moray Coast Ride, shares some sections of path with the Moray Coast Trail, and forms part of the National Cycle Network's Route 1.^[5] About 23,000 people use the path every year, of whom about 1,000 complete the entire route.^[6]

Moray Coast Trail
The Moray Coastal Trail at Covesea.
Length	72 km (45 mi)
Location	Moray, Scotland
Designation	Scotland's Great Trails
Trailheads	Forres 57.610°N 3.612°W / 57.610; -3.612 (Forres) Cullen 57.691°N 2.819°W / 57.691; -2.819 (Cullen)
Use	Walking
Elevation gain/loss	410 metres (1,350 ft) gain.[1]
Season	All Year
Waymark	Yes
Website	www.morayways.org.uk/routes/the-moray-coast-trail/
Trail map Dava Way Forres Burghead Lossiemouth Speyside Way Spey Bay Buckie Cullen

Bow Fiddle Rock at Portknockie

The Scotland's Great Trails website recommends that the trail be walked west to east (from Forres to Cullen), due to the direction of the prevailing winds.^[2] In this direction, the following settlements are passed: Forres, Kinloss, Findhorn, Burghead, Hopeman, Lossiemouth, Spey Bay, Portgordon, Buckie, Findochty, Portknockie, Cullen. Places of note along the route are the Covesea Skerries Lighthouse and Bow Fiddle Rock.

This also abuts to the Moray Firth Trail which goes north to Duncansby Head and was part of the Nortrail project.

References

1. "Trails". Scotland's Great Trails. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
2. "Moray Coast Trail". Scotland's Great Trails. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
3. "The Moray Way". Moray Council. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
4. "Route Details - The Moray Coast Trail". The Moray Council. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
5. "Moray Coast Ride". Sustrans. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
6. "Scotland's networks of paths and trails: key research findings" (PDF). Scottish Natural Heritage. August 2018. p. 6. Retrieved 26 September 2018.

Further reading

• Bardwell, Sandra (2021). Moray Coast Trail guidebook (2nd ed.). ISBN 978-1-898481-98-0.

External links

• Official website
• Moray Coast Trail route and maps on Walkhighlands