- On trail 16.2 mi 26.1 km
- Walking time 6–7 h
- Ascent 210 m 700 ft
- Descent 210 m 700 ft
- Difficulty Easy
Pinewoods, ospreys and a steam railway, with the Cairngorms ahead.
Section 5: Grantown-on-Spey to Aviemore map
Example stay Cairngorm Hotel (opens in a new tab)
Cross-check: Speyside Way route sections . Opened 5 November 2026. The official page gives each section's published miles, which the FAQ uses. The distance at the top of this page is measured along the trail between these towns. A walk off the path to a bed is extra.
The walk
A long day that walks easily: the Speyside Way runs on old railway and forest paths here, with the Cairngorms rising beyond the farmland. Nethy Bridge, a forest village, is the place for lunch. The Abernethy pinewoods lead toward Loch Garten, where ospreys came back to nest in 1954. From Boat of Garten the path keeps beside the Strathspey Steam Railway into Aviemore.
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Start of section
Grantown-on-Spey
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Lunch
Nethy Bridge
A forest village with four Telford bridges and a historic drinking fountain, about 6 mi (9 km) from Grantown.
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Loch Garten
Ospreys had gone from Britain by 1916. A pair nested here in 1954, the first to return each summer, and the RSPB osprey centre is close to the path.
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Into Aviemore
Strathspey Steam Railway
The heritage line runs beside the path from Boat of Garten to Aviemore, with the Cairngorms ahead.
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End of section
Aviemore
Section 5: Grantown-on-Spey to Aviemore overview
The ground
- Old railway
- Pinewood
- Cycle route
Old railway, pinewood paths and roadside path, mainly flat. Longer than any section before it, but far easier underfoot than Ballindalloch to Grantown.
Stops
Refreshments
- Grantown-on-Spey
- Nethy Bridge
- Boat of Garten
- Aviemore
Toilets
- The official route page names no public toilet on this section
Before you go
Opposite direction
Aviemore to Grantown-on-Spey
Walking north, the steam railway keeps you company out of Aviemore. The osprey woods and Nethy Bridge come in the middle, and the last miles to Grantown are level trackbed.
End of section
Grantown-on-Spey
Grantown-on-Spey to Aviemore FAQ
How long is Grantown-on-Spey to Aviemore?
It is 16.2 miles (26.1 km). It is mainly flat, so the miles go quickly.
Can I split Grantown to Aviemore?
Yes, at Boat of Garten, about two thirds of the way, or at Nethy Bridge. The 8-day stops at Boat of Garten.
Will I see ospreys?
They nest in the Abernethy woods in summer, and the RSPB centre at Loch Garten is near the path. Sightings are never certain.
Walk this as a day
Day 5 of the 7-day walks it in one go. The 8-day stops at Boat of Garten and reaches Aviemore the next morning. Open the planner on that preset, then export a full-trip or per-day GPX.
Open in planner Read the 7-day itinerary
Full-trip and per-day GPX files. Free, no account.
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