Walks you can reach from Kingussie by train

Speyside Way through the forested fringe of the Cairngorms National Park, great mountain views, Aviemore to Boat of Garten on the Strathspey Steam Railway.

Warnings: Highland weather is changeable; bring layers and waterproofs.

Walk details: ScotRail (tips).

A beautiful walk along well maintained paths through native Caledonian Forest; classic Highland landscapes; a delight. A beautiful walk on well-maintained gravel paths through native Caledonian pine forest, heather and conifers, following the Speyside Way, forest trails and minor roads and with the Strathspey Railway for company on the first section. Easy and well-suited to bikes. Follows the Speyside Way and Cycle Route 7. Boat of Garten at the halfway point has cafes and good facilities. The relic of the old bridge at Carrbridge is worth seeing.

Woodland: a third under tree cover.

Time: 4h30–9h30

Lunch: A couple of cafes at Boat of Garten, midway, and a cafe and shop at Carrbridge.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Attractive scenery. A largely flat, mostly riverside route along the Garry and Tummel through the Pass of Killiecrankie, on forest and riverside paths that are part-paved and with just under half on quiet tarmac roads or pavement. Plenty of shade. Some flights of steps. Mostly follows the River Garry and Tummel. The NTS Killiecrankie visitor centre, just off route, makes a worthwhile half-way break. Both ends are on the same bus and train line.

Waterway: nine tenths along the River Garry.

Woodland: three fifths under tree cover.

Time: 4h–7h30

Lunch: Potential refreshment stop just off route at the NTS Killiecrankie visitor centre, roughly half way.

Warnings: One quiet quarry road has no pavement and may carry quarry lorries on weekdays. An alternative path through woods avoids walking the main road around a blind bend at Killiecrankie.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Largely good off-road walking through Culloden Forest and High Wood and down the wooded valley of the River Nairn and though one section near Cawdor cannot be followed without bush-whacking.

Woodland: half under tree cover.

Time: 9h–18h30

Warnings: Between the White Bridge near Clephanton and Kilravoch Castle the route cannot be followed and requires a diversion. The riverside path down the River Nairn is unsafe when the river is high, runs very close to the water with drops of around 2m in places, and can be cut after flooding.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A long, remote route with little habitation; the first half largely follows a dismantled tramway and coming close to the A86 about halfway along.

Time: 16h–32h

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Coastal: three fifths along the coast.

Time: 5h–10h

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.

Time: 6h30–13h30

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a third of the walk.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A long and varied route following the John o'Groats Trail: an unscenic exit past the industrial port, the Kessock Bridge, then steep climbs into forest with high vegetation, forest paths and minor roads and shore-side stretches. Includes the Cromarty Bridge and a stretch where you must step over railway rails and climb a fence. Covers the Inverness to Culbokie section of the John o'Groats Trail plus the section towards Alness; see jogt.org.uk. Munlochy has a small local shop, and the walk can be broken at Culbokie.

Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.

Time: 9h30–19h

Lunch: Munlochy, roughly mid-route, has a small local shop.

Warnings: Steep climbs through high vegetation mean leg covering is needed. A short stretch near Munlochy is busy with little verge. There is no controlled crossing of the railway near the Cromarty Bridge: you step over the rails and climb a small fence. The Kessock and Cromarty bridges carry heavy, noisy traffic and can be windy. Best split with an overnight stop.

Walk details: Slow Ways.