TEINDLAND TRAILSTeindland is a large forest south-east of Elgin with an extensive network of roads and tracks that can be explored. MEAG is currently working with the Forestry Commission to set up a way-marked trail for horse riders with horse friendly parking. A map for this route will be available shortly.
Map : Landranger Sheet #21: Elgin
Distance : Short Trail – Four miles. This trail is now open, and is shown in red dots on the map. Follow the waymarkers – the route is designed to be ridden anti-clockwise. Some minor work is still to be completed.
A longer trail – eight miles, with an optional loop of three miles, is proposed for future development. Much of this is currently rideable and is shown in pale pink dots on the attached map. One section of this that is not currently rideable is marked on the map. The forest has an extensive network of other tracks and forest roads that can be explored – the main ones are shown on the map. An Ordnance Survey map and compass would be useful for longer explorations.
Time : 1.5 hours for the short trail. Much longer rides are possible.
Access Point: Parking area just off the B9103 Orton (Mulben) – Elgin road, signposted. Access also on horseback from the Waterworks road at the north end of the forest at Grid Reference NJ287 570.
Facilities: No facilities.
Terrain: Level with only a few gentle gradients. Generally quite dry with firm ground.
Hazards: Timber lorries and forestry vehicles on the roads. Some tracks are also used by Husky (sled-dog) teams for training. Warning signs will be erected at the car-park when they are training.
Contacts: Forestry Commission - Moray Forest District, 01343 820223.
At the parking area you can close the roadside gate for safety in case a horse gets loose.
Follow the main forest road then turn right onto a grassy path, then left onto a grassy track. Turn right again onto a grassy path, go straight across the forest road onto another path that leads steeply downhill. At the bottom there is a T junction. Turn left here and follow the footpath uphill alongside the stream for nearly a mile.
(If you turn right at the T junction the path will take you across a small ford and bring you out at the Waterworks road entrance).
At the main forest road, turn left then almost immediately right and follow the track for half a mile. In the clear-felled area turn left onto a smaller track then when you see the pond go steeply downhill and cross the time. Follow through the trees to rejoin a track that leads downhill. Straight across at the main forest road then left onto a narrow path through the trees. Turn right onto the main forest road to get back to the parking area.
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