The Fife Coastal Path
Linking the Forth and Tay Estuaries, the Fife Coastal Path runs for over 183km though the varied landscapes of Fife. The route links some of Scotland's most picturesque former fishing villages as well as the home of golf - St Andrews with its ancient University. In between are miles of golden beaches, attractive woods and nature reserves but the route also threads its way through industrial towns such as Kirkcaldy and Leven. History is everywhere, from the winding gear of the former coalyards to ruined castles and the pictish and prehistoric carvings in the Wemyss caves.
| Stage descriptions | Length | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1: Kincardine to North Queensferry | 27km | 6 - 8 hours |
| Stage 2: North Queensferry to Burntisland | 18.5km | 4.5 - 5.5 hours |
| Stage 3: Burntisland to East Wemyss | 18.75km | 4.5 - 5.5 hours |
| Stage 4: East Wemyss to Lower Largo | 11.5km | 3 - 3.5 hours |
| Stage 5: Lower Largo to St Monans | 14km | 3 - 4 hours |
| Stage 6: St Monans - Anstruther | 5.75km | 1.5 - 2 hours |
| Stage 7: Anstruther to Crail | 6.75km | 1.5 - 2 hours |
| Stage 8: Crail to Kingsbarns | 9.5km | 3 - 3.5 hours |
| Stage 9: Kingsbarns to St Andrews | 13.5km | 3 - 4 hours |
| Stage 10: St Andrews - Newport on Tay | 29km | 6 - 8 hours |
| Stage 11: Newport on Tay to Newburgh | 28.5km | 7 - 8 hours |
The route has been greatly extended during 2011-12 and is now open around the complete coastline of Fife from Kincardine to Newburgh.
THE CHALLENGE
The route is well waymarked and offers straightforward walking. Some sections can be muddy underfoot. The stretches between Crail and St Andrews (via Kingsbarns), and from Balmerino to Newburgh, are long and relatively remote, giving rougher going than the rest of the route.
ACCOMMODATION AND SERVICES ALONG THE WAY
The Fife Coastal Path runs around coastline which is decked with towns and villages for most of the way, with good services and accommodation available.
There are hotels and/or guesthouses available in the villages at the start and finish of all the stages listed above.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
There are good bus services throughout Fife, with buses available to all the start and end points of the stages listed above.
In addition, there are rail stations at North Queensferry, Inverkeithing, Aberdour, Burntisland, Kinghorn and Kirkcaldy, with a further station at Leuchars late in the route.
Timetables for all the routes can be found on Traveline Scotland.
The following users have walked the Fife Coastal Path:
Paul Webster helenw larallan Paderlan prophetofdom murwilson coopar Catherine1002 cobblergreen snojomo LDPWalker warrior PeterLewis embo636 welshy165 Kerrycash jyp18a sair feet RTC Janet Burton dburness choupacha stuartwhyte13 fiery Dan Scheer frosty JamMikie peter tindal fechlin Paracaba Tich01 Becs garyfalkland Kryptonfactor Sparkle smarijsse alkirkman PaulB37 Marc Lefevre 1jonnyp1989 chirpol5 karen3rdi
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