Riverside Trail, Nethy Bridge

This easy loop is about 1.8 miles (2.9 km), with roughly 30 m of climbing; allow about an hour. Starting opposite Nethy Bridge Community and Visitor Centre, it follows the River Nethy, then passes through Dell Wood before returning to the village. The full mapped line measures about 2.9 km. Some route text gives a one-mile figure, which does not match this complete circuit. The separate accessible Riverside Path turns back at the third bench after roughly 0.2 mile each way; that is a shorter out-and-back, not this loop. Expect gentle slopes but often muddy, rooty and occasionally narrow path; at woodland junctions follow the blue and green waymarks.

Cross from the centre to the riverside path and descend to the water. Stay on the main route when the shorter accessible path branches right, then follow the river upstream. Dippers may be seen along the water. The accessible path turns back at the third bench; beyond it, the full circuit becomes rougher, narrower and steeper in places.

Near a house, the loop leaves the river for a minor road. Continue past the green bridge without crossing it, then follow the beech hedges to the old nursery entrance, marked by two Wellingtonia trees. The nursery opened in 1855 to raise local pine seedlings and closed in 1984 as natural regeneration became the preferred approach. In Dell Wood, follow the blue and green arrows at junctions; the Puggy Line is a separate optional extension.

Before the mid-19th century, cut timber was floated down the Nethy and Spey toward sawmills and the coast. The wider pine forest is home to red squirrels, capercaillie and Scottish crossbills, though sightings are never guaranteed.

The Community and Visitor Centre has toilets and bus links from Aviemore and Grantown. Dogs are allowed; keep them on a lead in the forest from March through August during the breeding season.