Kingsbarns and Cambo circuit, Kingsbarns

Summary

This varied circular walk begins from the splendid sandy beach at Kingsbarns, briefly following the coast before heading inland beside the Cambo Burn through the Cambo estate and returning via woodland footpaths and a minor road over farmland.

Grade

Bog Factor

3.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Coastal and woodland paths, with some steps. Some sections can be muddy.

Getting there

Start

Beach car park, Kingsbarns (charge).

Public Transport

Bus to Kingsbarns (between St Andrews and Crail).

Start Grid Ref

NO601124

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 5.25km / 3.25 miles
Time: 1 - 2 hours
Ascent: 34m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (3)

Stage 1

Park at the beach car park (charge) near Kingsbarns; if arriving by bus then the walk begins with a 1km walk along Sea Road to reach it. There are public toilets here and seasonal food kiosk, and access to the fine sandy beach of Cambo Sands. Begin the walk by heading through a kissing gate at the far end of the car park and following the Fife Coastal Path southwards; i.e. keeping the beach and sea on your left. Soon it joins a sandy track.

Stage 2

Follow the track between the beach and golf course; when the track curves away to the right, fork left on a grassy path (waymarker). Before reaching a band of trees the route emerges onto a wider track; bear right along this, passing to the right of the wooden toilets. Beyond these the track enters the woods. Go through the Cambo gate ahead signed for Fife Coastal Path, note the bridge over the Cambo burn but do not cross this, instead turning right up path on the near bank. This leads to another footbridge; cross this one and ascend the steps beyond.

Stage 3

At the top of the steps turn right to follow a path which runs through the woods, heading upstream parallel to the burn below. The path runs parallel to the wall on your left; ignore a gate on your left, and a path right down to a footbridge and instead continue along the top of the bank. Keep left at a fork. The path continues to reach a junction just before a blocked doorway in a stone wall. Turn left here, through the farm gate, and then turn right along the edge of the field.

Stage 4

Continue along the field edge until shortly before a striking modern property turn right through a small gate back into the woods. Turn left down steps, then at a path junction turn left again (the Cambo gardens (entry charge) and cafe are ahead). The route continues through the trees, with a derelict barn off to the right, and keeps to the left of a burn. Note the trees growing out of the rocks on your left at one point.

Stage 5

Eventually the path crosses a footbridge and continues up the wooded glen, now with the burn on your left. This section is very attractive with some low crags on the opposite side of the burn. Continue through the woodland until the path eventually emerges at a tarmac lane. Turn left along this - or along the path that runs parallel to it on the far side. Shortly before the lane reaches a house and gateway to the main road, turn right onto a footpath that passes along the near side of the house garden. Go through a gate and follow the path which winds through a belt of trees parallel to the main road.

Stage 6

The path heads through a gate and continues through the trees, passing to the left of an old ice house. When a track is reached with a mill pond opposite, bear left and then right to follow the path along the left side of the mill pond. Go straight across again at another tarmac lane.

Stage 7

The woodland path eventually diverges from the road. Ignore a footbridge on your right, and go straight across a landrover track. Continue until a gate in a wall on the edge of Kingsbarns. Do not pass the gate, instead turning right and again following a path which runs parallel to the Sea Road. Go straight across a track (slight dogleg left); after the next block of woodland and opposite a large modern building the walk passes through a gate and joins the road. Continue along the road to return to the start.

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