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Taking the opportunity to refuel in Ballater before heading into the wilderness, the route takes one last skim along the edge of the river Dee before cutting up across the main road and up a singletrack road to the east of the river Gairn. After the road ends, the track quickly becomes soft and rutted, but the effort is worth it for the views from the old smiddy at Ardoch before bumping back down to cross the river at a convenient suspension bridge and joining the main road to the impressive stone Gairnsheil Bridge. A little more westward on the tarmac reveals the turn off to head up the Gairn valley along some nice land rover tracks to Loch Bulig where the trail changes to more of a mountain bike single-track along the edge of the Loch. Don’t worry if you end up pushing some of this section as it allows more time to look around and soak in the wilderness reflected in the loch and boggy ponds before tip toing across a couple of rivers on the handy stepping stones. A couple more just-cycle-able river crossings lead to the stately Inchrory house and spectacular driveway through the imposing steep sides of the Avon river valley up to the sanctuary of Tomintoul.

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Learning from the previous event route, the NEWT now takes the road up past the edge of the Glenlivet MTB trails, and back down to follow the river Avon, initially on the quiet back road and then after crossing the river, some old walkers paths. This revision misses out on the views from Cairn Daimh, but substitutes the hike-a-bike to reach to top, for a spin along the riverside popping out directly at Ballindaloch. Take care crossing the main road, especially in poor visibility!

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Taking the old railway bridge over the Spey the trail flows along the recently upgraded Speyside Way hugging the curves of the River Spey and sneaking past several distilleries that are worth a smell in passing if not a stop for a taste! Arriving into Aberlour, a quick detour up to the main road may be required to refuel, perhaps at a café stop. At Craigelachie, the path looses its single use existence and heads through the Forest roads of Arndilly down a nadgery path to Boat o Brig and onto the characterful back roads that lead to Fochabers (watch out for the steep haipins!). Picking up the pathway along the flattening river estuary, Spey Bay marks the end of the northwards journey, and a further change to the scenery on offer. 

 

 

Keeping the sea view present for the majority of the time, the route uses a mixture of paths and roads following cycle route 1, at times giving a spectacular vantage point over the cliffs and beaches below. At Cullen the route moves slightly in land taking the back roads through Portsoy and over to Banff, taking the costal route round the town for scenic value, but the high street is there if stocks need replenishing. Heading south, the route follows the river Deveron away from the costal air and to the stunning Bridge of Alvah.