[citation needed] The total path is around 85 kilometres (53 mi) long if both spurs are travelled and can be accessed relatively easily by public transport or car.

The Maud to Strichen section has a detour because of overgrown shrubbery, marshy conditions and impassable fencing.

[7] Passenger services were withdrawn by the Scottish Region of British Railways in 1965 as part of the Beeching cuts.

This was in spite of the fact a considerable amount of freight traffic was being generated by the off-shore oil and gas industry.

[citation needed] Conversion of the line to a footpath and cycleway started in 1987, and was led by the Buchan Countryside Group.