Moray Speyside is an exceptional walking holiday destination. Here, coastal paths, woodland trails, winding rivers and Highland hills come together in one remarkably varied landscape, all within easy reach. Whether you’re seeking a gentle harbour stroll, a long-distance trail, or a rewarding hill day, you’re truly spoilt for choice.
The area is home to several of Scotland’s Great Trails, including the spectacular Moray Coast Trail, which runs directly through Hopeman. Stretching for around 50 miles between Forres and Cullen, it showcases sandy beaches, clifftop paths, fishing villages and wide views across the Moray Firth.
Inland, the Speyside Way follows the River Spey through woodland and open countryside, while the Dava Way traces a former railway line across moorland and forest. For those drawn to higher ground, the wider Moray Speyside and Cairngorms area provides access to Munros, Corbetts and quieter upland routes, offering expansive Highland panoramas and varied terrain.
Together, these routes form part of the wider Moray Way, a long-distance circular trail linking coast, river and moorland into one remarkable journey. If you complete the route, don’t forget to claim your certificate via the official Moray Ways website.
Alongside these headline routes, the region is rich with shorter circular walks, forest trails, castle grounds and coastal loops — ideal for families, mixed-ability groups and year-round exploring.
The Moray Coast Trail runs directly through Hopeman, placing The Corner House right on the route.
From the front door, you can walk towards Lossiemouth and Covesea, where clifftop paths, lighthouse views and wide beaches define this dramatic stretch of coastline. In the other direction, the trail leads through Burghead, across the sandy dunes of Roseisle Forest, and onwards to the charming harbour village of Findhorn. Known for its great cafés and welcoming gastro pubs, alongside the world-renowned Findhorn Foundation.
With its slightly upmarket, laid-back hippy vibe and beautiful seaside setting, Findhorn offers a unique blend of relaxed luxury, community spirit, and natural beauty.
There’s no need to drive, whether it’s a short scenic stroll or a full day exploring the Moray coastline, your walk begins the moment you step outside.
Whether you’re planning a walking holiday in Moray Speyside, exploring sections of Scotland’s Great Trails, or simply enjoying fresh air along the Moray Firth, The Corner House offers a practical, comfortable and beautifully located base.
Moray offers a rare opportunity for anglers, the chance to enjoy both world-class river fishing and rewarding sea fishing, all within easy reach of The Corner House in Hopeman. From casting into the open waters of the Moray Firth to fly fishing on some of Scotland’s most celebrated salmon rivers, this is a region steeped in fishing heritage.
Sea fishing on the Moray Firth is a real highlight of a stay in Hopeman. Shore fishing can be enjoyed from Hopeman Harbour, nearby rocky outcrops and beaches — a relaxed way to spend time by the water in beautiful surroundings.
For those looking for a dedicated offshore experience, Moray Firth Fishing Charters in nearby Burghead offer guided sea fishing trips exploring productive fishing grounds further out into the firth. Tackle hire is available if required, making it easy to join a charter without travelling with all your own equipment.
https://www.morayfirthfishingcharters.co.uk/sea-fishing-trips/
And for something wonderfully simple, crabbing from Hopeman Harbour remains a favourite seaside ritual — a relaxed hour by the water that children and adults alike seem to love.
Whether it’s a quiet cast from the shore, harbour crabbing with the family, or a full offshore sea fishing charter, The Corner House is perfectly placed to enjoy the best of Moray Firth fishing.
Just a short drive inland lies Moray Speyside — one of Scotland’s most respected freshwater fishing regions.
The legendary River Spey is internationally renowned for its Atlantic salmon fishing and is widely regarded as one of Scotland’s great salmon rivers. Flowing through classic Highland scenery, it attracts anglers from across the world throughout the fishing season.
Alongside the Spey, the River Findhorn and River Lossie offer superb salmon and trout fishing, each with their own character and varied stretches of water. Permits, ghillies and guided fly-fishing experiences are widely available, making the area accessible to both experienced anglers and those new to traditional Scottish river fishing.
For a quieter pace, Moray is also home to a number of beautiful lochs offering peaceful freshwater trout fishing, surrounded by woodland, open countryside and big Highland skies.
Whether you’re planning a dedicated salmon fishing holiday or adding a day’s fly fishing to your coastal stay, The Corner House in Hopeman provides an ideally located base with access to both river and loch fishing in one remarkable region.
Staying at The Corner House in Hopeman means you can combine coastal living with access to some of the finest fishing in Scotland — sea and river, harbour and Highland, all within easy reach.
Few places offer this variety in such a compact and beautiful setting.
The Moray Firth and surrounding coastline offer exceptional opportunities to enjoy the water, with everything from wild swimming and surfing to sailing, paddle boarding, snorkelling and kite surfing all within easy reach. And at the heart of it all, Hopeman offers one of the most varied and welcoming stretches of coastline from which to experience it all
The Moray Firth has a growing and increasingly talked-about surf scene, with sandy beach breaks around Hopeman and Lossiemouth offering fun, uncrowded waves. This stretch of coastline benefits from a notably dry, sunny microclimate by Scottish standards, making time on the water feel all the more rewarding.
If you’ve ever fancied giving surfing a try — or want to improve your technique — the team at New Wave Surf School, based just along the coast in Lossiemouth, are the people to speak to. They deliver excellent surf lessons along the beaches of the Moray Coast, helping beginners find their feet and more experienced surfers refine their technique. They regularly run sessions at Hopeman as well as on nearby beaches, our guests give them fantastic feedback.
Paddle boarding and kayaking are equally popular, particularly in calmer conditions around Hopeman Bay and the harbour. If you’re fortunate, you may even paddle alongside the resident Moray Firth bottlenose dolphins that frequent the bay. They are well known for their spectacular displays.
From catching your first wave to gliding across glassy water at sunset, the Moray Firth offers a varied and welcoming setting for life on the water.
The Corner House is perfectly suited to group wild swimming stays on the Moray Firth. With multiple sea swim spots in Hopeman alone and a remarkable stretch of coastline beyond there’s the opportunity to swim somewhere different every day. From sheltered harbour dips to open sea swims and nearby river and loch adventures across Moray Speyside, the variety is exceptional.
Located just 50 minutes from Inverness Airport, The Corner House is easily accessible for groups travelling from across the UK — or further afield — gathering for a long weekend or dedicated open water swimming retreat in Scotland.
Hopeman is one of The Moray Firth’s hidden gems for wild swimming. With two beautiful beaches, a sheltered harbour and quieter coves along the coastline, it offers remarkable variety within a small, walkable stretch of shore.
Whether you enjoy a calm summer sea swim, a bracing winter dip, or simply floating in clear water under wide Highland skies, wild swimming in Hopeman feels both expansive and unspoilt.
Just beyond the row of colourful beach huts on Hopeman’s East Beach sits the Fyrhùs Sauna, set into the dunes with open views across the Moray Firth.
This wood-fired sauna has become a firm favourite — not only for its stunning coastal setting, but for the atmosphere the team have created.
Stepping from the cold sea into steady sauna heat is a real experience — one of our favourite things to do in Hopeman. Watching the light shift across the Moray Firth before heading back down for another dip feels deeply restorative. On calm days, dolphins are often seen moving through the bay — sea swim, sauna and dolphin watching all in one place. It’s hard to imagine anything better, especially when it’s all just a short stroll from The Corner House.
Sessions are popular throughout the year, so booking ahead is recommended.
Beyond Hopeman, Moray Speyside is dotted with wild swimming locations — far too many to list in full. From the River Findhorn at Randolph’s Leap to waterfall pools such as Linn Falls and secluded Highland lochs, the variety is remarkable. Combined with the region’s growing collection of coastal saunas, it makes this an exceptional setting for a wild swimming retreat.
For more inspiration on swim spots across the area, see our dedicated wild swimming blog post.
For those wanting to experience the wild swimming delights of the Moray Firth, The Corner House offers something rare — genuine coastal variety right on the doorstep, with the comfort to enjoy it fully. If you’re planning a wild swimming retreat, we’re always happy to share local knowledge and help shape your stay. Simply get in touch to start planning.
Moray Speyside is a wonderful cycling destination for riders of all abilities, from relaxed family routes and quiet off-road trails to more challenging mountain biking and long-distance adventures. With Hopeman as your base, you’re perfectly placed to explore both coastal paths and inland rides that showcase the region’s varied terrain.
The traffic-free stretch of the Moray Coast Trail between Hopeman and Burghead is a fantastic off-road ride for families and younger cyclists. With wide, gentle paths and open views across the Moray Firth, it’s ideal for building confidence on two wheels.
Along the way, there are plenty of reasons to pause — beachcombing stops, picnic spots and the popular park at Cummingston, with its slide right beside the trail. Continue on to Burghead for a well-earned treat at the Cable Café before heading back along the coast.
For riders seeking more technical terrain, Moray Speyside delivers impressive variety. The Moray Monster Trails near Fochabers offer around 30km of purpose-built singletrack, with flowing blue routes and more demanding red and black trails featuring berms, jumps and fast descents.
At Glenlivet Bike Trails, purpose-built mountain bike routes wind through spectacular Highland scenery, offering rewarding climbs and flowing sections suited to intermediate and experienced riders. Closer to Hopeman, forest riding options include Culbin Forest, with wide, level tracks and the scenic Hill 99 viewpoint; Roseisle Forest, offering flat coastal woodland routes with beach access; Sanquhar Woods near Forres, with community-built blue, red and orange trails; and the natural woodland terrain of Torrieston, Monaughty Woods and The Bin Forest, all providing enjoyable off-road riding in peaceful surroundings.
For longer rides on mixed terrain, Moray Speyside is rich in options.
The Moray Coast Trail links coastal communities from Burghead to Cullen, while the Speyside Way follows the River Spey through woodland and distillery country. The Dava Way, set along a former railway line between Forres and Grantown-on-Spey, offers gentle gradients and expansive moorland views. Sections of these routes form the wider Moray Way — a 95-mile loop connecting coast, forest and river landscapes, ideal for multi-day touring.
Road cyclists are equally well served, with quiet country lanes, rolling climbs and sweeping coastal stretches offering scenic yet rewarding rides across Moray and into the Highlands.
Bike hire, servicing and local route advice are available through Outfit Moray & Bike Revolution in Lossiemouth, offering mountain bikes, gravel bikes and e-bikes to suit all abilities.
Bikes can be stored at The Corner House on the outdoor courtyard bike stand. A secure anchor point and bike lock are provided so bikes can be safely secured during your stay. An exterior hose and outdoor shower make light work of bike maintenance after a day on the trails.
Experience walking holidays on the Moray coast from your own private base.
