Anagach Woods and the River Spey from Grantown-on-Spey

The walk starts at the Anagach Woods car park at the end of Forest Road beside the golf course on the edge of Grantown-on-Spey, and goes round in a loop. It follows the Speyside Way east through the pines for 3.9 km to the north-east corner of the wood, then turns south by paths and tracks to the River Spey above Craigroy, 6.1 km from the car park. A track runs along the river bank to the Old Spey Bridge, 8.1 km, and the old military road leads back through the pines to the car park.

It is 9.6 km (6.0 miles) with 47 m (154 ft) of ascent by our height data, which read flat under the trees; allow about 2½ hours. The grade is Easy. The Cairngorms National Park Authority's Grantown-on-Spey leaflet rates the Anagach Red Trail, which this line follows in shape, as moderate, 8.8 km, allow 2½ hours, mostly on well made paths and tracks with some uneven earthy sections that may be a bit muddy after rain.

The leaflet says the woods are especially important to the rare and endangered capercaillie, and asks walkers to follow any signage in the woods. In the eastern part of Anagach, which this walk crosses, it asks that dogs are kept on a lead from April to August and kept to the paths: see the notice. A Cairngorms National Park byelaw bans fires and barbecues from 1 April to 30 September.

There are paths in every direction in the wood, so the way needs a map or an app at the junctions.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.