Culbin
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
35 reviews
Excellent
24
Very good
10
Average
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Poor
0
Terrible
1
rainbowdolphin90
Edinburgh, UK608 contributions
Jul 2022
beautiful forest to walk in with stunning views across the bay. The forest trails are well marked with the junctions numbered to help navigation. The forest is peaceful and lovely to walk in. Do take insect repellent as the mosquitos are vicious.
Written August 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Niki M
Glasgow, UK16 contributions
Jun 2022 • Friends
So myself and two of my family members went for a walk into Culbin Forest on Tue 21st June 2022. A couple of miles in we reached the tall viewing platform and all was great. We then made a plan to hit the sandy beach/mud flat area, so we weaved back through the forest a few miles to get there, on the way Mosquitoes started biting us. I had no idea there even were mosquitoes in that forest and I had shorts and T-shirt on, I must have walked 5-6 miles back to the car park, close to heat exhaustion and bitten all the way. I had a huge fever that night, took a week long flu, felt close to death a few times, gained an upper respiratory infection and my bites (over 40) got infected, doubled in size and I'm now on antibiotics and just now starting to recover.
DO NOT walk into this forest without being covered head to toe and I also suggest if you do take at least 2 bottles of water per person and have Antihistamines in your car. This park is approx 21 miles long and 8 miles wide so in my opinion it's best done by bike. I'm pretty fit and I was literally exhausted when I reached the car.
If your sensitive to bites/prone to anaphylaxic shock, if your old or a family with young children, be very cautious going into this HUGE park with millions of big ravenous mosquitoes. Cover up real good, have the best repellent money can buy, have lots of water, antihistamines with you and if you can bike it, I strongly suggest biking it.
The park itself in places is very beautiful, especially where the sand dunes encroach through the forest but honestly it soon turned into a total nightmare for me personally and left me really badly bitten and extremely ill for a week, so PLEASE BE CAREFUL AND PREPARED!!!!
DO NOT walk into this forest without being covered head to toe and I also suggest if you do take at least 2 bottles of water per person and have Antihistamines in your car. This park is approx 21 miles long and 8 miles wide so in my opinion it's best done by bike. I'm pretty fit and I was literally exhausted when I reached the car.
If your sensitive to bites/prone to anaphylaxic shock, if your old or a family with young children, be very cautious going into this HUGE park with millions of big ravenous mosquitoes. Cover up real good, have the best repellent money can buy, have lots of water, antihistamines with you and if you can bike it, I strongly suggest biking it.
The park itself in places is very beautiful, especially where the sand dunes encroach through the forest but honestly it soon turned into a total nightmare for me personally and left me really badly bitten and extremely ill for a week, so PLEASE BE CAREFUL AND PREPARED!!!!
Written June 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rambling_Scot
Glasgow, UK554 contributions
Jan 2022 • Family
At the end of January, we drove from Lossiemouth to Culbin forest after hearing a good review and, seeing the area in the ‘Moray Walks’ fold-out leaflet. The forest was simple to find - head towards Inverness and as you pass through Forres, look for a right turn a mile or so past.
With our child in the walking backpack, we opted for the ‘Hill 99 Trail’. The walk itself took approximately two hours and going by my Garmin watch, we covered just short of 6km.
Additional details regarding the trail - we began in the ‘Wellhill’ car park, circled part of the ‘Gravelpit Ponds’, climbed the sand dune to the viewing tower (highlight of the walk - unforgettable views) before a return to our car via the ‘Dragonfly Pond’.
We were definitely won over by the vast woodlands and the views. The route itself was moderate and very achievable under foot. Overall, a credible Sunday stroll.
Please remember £1.50 (3 hours - cash only) as you will struggle to park as close elsewhere. Toilets are available - located close to the car park and adjacent to the picnic area.
With our child in the walking backpack, we opted for the ‘Hill 99 Trail’. The walk itself took approximately two hours and going by my Garmin watch, we covered just short of 6km.
Additional details regarding the trail - we began in the ‘Wellhill’ car park, circled part of the ‘Gravelpit Ponds’, climbed the sand dune to the viewing tower (highlight of the walk - unforgettable views) before a return to our car via the ‘Dragonfly Pond’.
We were definitely won over by the vast woodlands and the views. The route itself was moderate and very achievable under foot. Overall, a credible Sunday stroll.
Please remember £1.50 (3 hours - cash only) as you will struggle to park as close elsewhere. Toilets are available - located close to the car park and adjacent to the picnic area.
Written February 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
PeterGarrett78
Driffield, UK1,689 contributions
May 2021 • Family
This Forest is huge! Such a great place for dog walks and simply to get lost in a woodland environment. There is an observation tower which overlooks Findhorn bay which is certainly worth a visit!
Plenty of car parking that also have loos available there is a small fee for parking (£1) I think. Leaflets, map and info board is available at the large carpark, the roads in can be tight.
Little phone signal within the Forest so time to let go of the electronics and appreciate the peace and tranquility of nature.
Plenty of car parking that also have loos available there is a small fee for parking (£1) I think. Leaflets, map and info board is available at the large carpark, the roads in can be tight.
Little phone signal within the Forest so time to let go of the electronics and appreciate the peace and tranquility of nature.
Written June 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
zenn91
Vicenza, Italy340 contributions
May 2021
The trip start at the car park from where it's possible to collect some useful leaflets.
In fact the forest it's really huge and it's pretty easy to get lost without a proper map that help us to follow the right numbers.
Not only it's huge but also pretty various with ponds, hill paths, flat paths and even a coastal path.
What I really liked is the sensation of peace and quietness and the fact that as soon as you step inside the forest it's possible to feel something unusual. it's immediately clear that you are the guest there and wildlife is watching and studying you.
Unfortunately not all people have the same mentality and when I was there I had a discussion with a family who was kidnapping some tadpoles for a school project. judging from what heard is not a so uncommon behaviour and it's considered normal so I really hope the park will do something about it.
In fact the forest it's really huge and it's pretty easy to get lost without a proper map that help us to follow the right numbers.
Not only it's huge but also pretty various with ponds, hill paths, flat paths and even a coastal path.
What I really liked is the sensation of peace and quietness and the fact that as soon as you step inside the forest it's possible to feel something unusual. it's immediately clear that you are the guest there and wildlife is watching and studying you.
Unfortunately not all people have the same mentality and when I was there I had a discussion with a family who was kidnapping some tadpoles for a school project. judging from what heard is not a so uncommon behaviour and it's considered normal so I really hope the park will do something about it.
Written June 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
mickhilton
Kinloss, UK57 contributions
Nov 2020
The Culbin is a large, mainly wooded, area outside Forres. It has it's own parking, which costs a small fee. You can walk, run, cycle, ride horses etc around the whole area. There are several types of track, with some more narrow or sandier than others. I find it a great place to run round. Even when the car park is busy, the area itself is so large you can do 5 miles and not see a soul. There is a site map by the car park, and it's located about 10 minutes drive from Forres itself.
Written November 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Curiosity788627
4 contributions
Oct 2020 • Family
Great walks, no mud!! Took the long trail to the tower but sadly closed when we got there. Would be helpful if there was a sign to tell you this at the car park instead of just a general forestry operations sign
Written October 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Beverley C
24 contributions
Aug 2020
Enjoyed a lovely day at Culbin with the family including two grandsons aged 5 and 2. We cycled around and then had a picnic on the beach at Buckie Loch. Lovely part of the beach with great waves to jump through and, as the tide was in, we were able to build a fortification with a moat.
The toilets in the car park were clean with hot water and plenty of hand sanitiser. My only issue is with visitor’s discarded rubbish along the pathways. Please take your litter home with you.
The toilets in the car park were clean with hot water and plenty of hand sanitiser. My only issue is with visitor’s discarded rubbish along the pathways. Please take your litter home with you.
Written August 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Pamela R
4 contributions
Aug 2020
Because the forest is planted on sand dunes, there is no mud! A huge choice of level tracks for walking or cycling. Interesting flora (didn't see any fauna but am sure they were there - lying low)
Written August 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
William M
Edinburgh, UK7 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
This was the second time we have visited the forest (our child is significantly older now) and it was just as good as we remember. We spent several hours cycling around all the different trails, and had a relaxing time at the gravelpit ponds watching the dragonflies and tiny frogs. Take a map as it is easy to get lost!
Written July 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
CulbinSands
Elgin, UK241 contributions
At the ticket machine is a box containing wonderful illustrated maps for free. At each junction there are numbered posts that allow you to fix your location.
Culbin (Forres) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Culbin
- Hotels near Culbin:
- (0.22 mi) April Rise Bed and Breakfast
- (1.14 mi) Cluny Bank
- (0.35 mi) Meikle Cantlay
- (1.19 mi) Reiver House Bed & Breakfast
- (0.77 mi) Knockomie Hotel
- Restaurants near Culbin:
- (0.26 mi) Mackenzie & Cruickshank
- (0.23 mi) Costa Coffee
- (0.61 mi) Mosset Tavern
- (0.77 mi) The Red Lion
- (0.50 mi) Scottish Highland Restaurant at Knockomie House