Formartine and Buchan Way overall cycle route rating:
(Colour explanation: blue = good, yellow indicates some warning, and red indicates issues to be aware of)
The Formartine and Buchan Way follows a disused railway from Dyce (near Aberdeen) to Maud. At Maud, it branches, and you can opt to ride east to Peterhead, or continue north to Fraserburgh. As you’d expect from a former railway, the route is relatively flat.
As the digital maps only allow continuous routes, this route guide is unusual in that it contains two maps. The first is the route from Dyce to Fraserburgh, while the second is for the spur from Maud to Peterhead.
This route allows walkers, cyclists and horse riders, so do remember to slow down when encountering horses. Also, when approaching horses from behind, either talk or sing all the time, so the horse can hear where you are and won’t be startled.
This is a long route – 40 miles from Dyce to Fraserburgh – over at times difficult terrain. Additionally, it is a rural area, so you will need to be entirely self-sufficient.
Surface on the Formartine and Buchan Way
The most of route is unsealed, and can get very wet. In places, the route surface is tar, for large segments it is compacted gravel that’s rather good, and in places it’s effectively a single-track.
Bikes
You’ll want a gravel bike, a sturdy hybrid, a touring bike or a mountain bike. Though trikes and cargo bikes can use significant parts of the route (at least from Dyce to Maud) but there are large parts where they would struggle.
Toilets
There are toilets only in Ellon (off the trail, 1/2 a mile along a road), in Maud (almost on the trail), at Strichen (off the trail) and at Fraserburgh. If you went east from Maud, there are toilets in Aden Country Park (off-trail), at Longside (off-trail) and in Peterhead.
Refreshments
Your refreshment stops are very limited to essentially just the toilet stops. Do ensure you carry enough food and snacks, and include extra, in case of emergency.
Safety from traffic
This route is effectively entirely traffic-free.
Points of Interest
Spend some time in the Railway Museum in Maud, and enjoy the stunning beach in Fraserburgh.
Routes in North Eastern Scotland
Barriers
There are some barriers along the way, but most bikes should easily be able to get past.
Child friendliness
This route can be excellent for even young kids to enjoy. However, I expect very few younger children will have the stamina for the entire route.
Social safety
Most of the route is very isolated, and even in high season can remain so. You must ensure you’re self-reliant.
Hilliness
While the route has shallow gradients, in places they do carry on for significant distances.
Ratings
Forecast for the Formartine and Buchan Way
What the Formartine and Buchan Way looks like
Getting to the Formartine and Buchan Way
It’s possible to cycle to the start from Aberdeen train station, along . As ever, read my Bikes On Trains guide for useful and helpful tips for taking your bike on the train.
More Routes
To find more routes, click this link.
DayCycle
DayCycle routes are routes can can easily be cycled by most people in a day, or part of a day. Do have a look at all the other DayCycle routes available on WillCycle. Many contain detailed route guides, as well as embedded maps (like the one below).
Interactive maps for the Formartine and Buchan Way
Dyce to Fraserburgh
Maud to Peterhead
And finally…
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