Anagach Woods and the River Spey, Grantown-on-Spey
Highlands
Anagach Woods cover the low ridges between Grantown-on-Spey and the River Spey in the Cairngorms National Park. The deeper parts of the wood shelter the rare capercaillie, so dogs stay on a short lead among the pines, though the riverbank stretch beside the Spey gives more room to explore. They were first planted in 1766 with trees from nearby Abernethy Forest, but have regenerated naturally since the early nineteenth century, so today's pines are almost all self-seeded, and the woods are home to red squirrels, crested tits and the rare capercaillie. This 11.5km circuit leaves the Square in Grantown then follows the thistle waymarkers of the Speyside Way through the pinewood, winding over old glacial ridges. It leaves the trees at Crow Wood to reach the Spey, then follows the fast-flowing river upstream on tracks and a rougher bank path, past fishing huts and the house at Craigroy, to pass beneath the Old Spey Bridge, a triple-arched bridge built in 1754 to carry the military road. The return climbs steps into the woods and follows the Old Military Road dead straight between the pines back to town. There is 250 metres of climbing, on good paths and tracks.
This dog friendly walk offers a long day of woodland and river, with the Spey for a drink and plenty of shade under the pines. It comes with a firm rule, though: the deeper woods are one of the last refuges of the capercaillie, and dogs should be kept on short leads there to protect these birds. The riverbank section is open.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 11.5 km (7.1 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 3 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Forest, River, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Shops, cafes and pubs around the Square in Grantown-on-Spey; none on the route.
- Parking
- Parking in and around the Square in Grantown-on-Spey, or the small Anagach Woods car park by the golf course.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Anagach Woods and the River Spey, Grantown-on-Spey, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in HighlandsFrequently Asked Questions
Is Anagach Woods and the River Spey, Grantown-on-Spey dog friendly?
Yes, it scores 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness. The pinewood paths are good and shaded, and the River Spey gives water on the second half. The score reflects the capercaillie in Anagach Woods: dogs should be kept on short leads in the deeper parts of the wood, so this is mostly a lead walk.
Can dogs be off lead at Anagach Woods and the River Spey, Grantown-on-Spey?
Mostly no. The deeper parts of Anagach Woods are one of the last refuges of the capercaillie, a rare and easily disturbed woodland grouse, and the guidance is that dogs should be kept on short leads there. The open stretch along the River Spey gives a little more freedom for a dog with good recall, but watch for farm stock near the gates and fishermen on the bank.
What should I know before visiting Anagach Woods and the River Spey, Grantown-on-Spey with my dog?
Start from the Square in Grantown-on-Spey, where there are shops and cafes, or park at the small Anagach Woods car park by the golf course. Allow three hours or more. The path under the Old Spey Bridge can occasionally be flooded, in which case follow the road around. Keep dogs on a short lead through the woods, and take care crossing the minor road near the end.
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