This straightforward walk through a Country Park loops all the way around Lochore, with good opportunities for birdwatching. It climbs a little over the Clune, a small area of grassland and heath. Cafe and toilets at the start.
Bog Factor
Well made path, with short uphill section, suitable for all terrain baby buggies.
Lochore Meadows Country Park.
Bus to Lochore.
NT170961
Start from the Park Centre at Lochore Meadows Country Park reached just south of Lochore off the B920. The area has been reclaimed from old mining pits and spoil heaps over the last 30 years and now provides a haven for bird life and is popular with fishermen, golfers, and sailors as well as people enjoying the selection of marked trails. This route follows the longest route, waymarked in blue, around the Loch. From the Park Centre head over to the water and follow the clear path to the right to start an anti-clockwise circuit. This outward half follows the route of the Fife Pilgrim Way.
Keep following the clear path around the water's edge, passing a number of benches and fishing platforms. Keep following the blue arrows, keeping left when the route joins a cycleway and follows a surfaced track past a gate and car park at the north end of the Loch, now in woods. Over 1 million trees have been planted at Lochore Meadows since the 1970's as part of a wider plan to restore derelict land in Fife.
Soon after, look out for a signed, and tarmaced, path to the left, as the lane starts to head further away from the loch. This follows the edge of a wood through part of the nature reserve, eventually crossing a bridge at the inflow to the loch. Turn left at the next junction (the right hand path heads to a wildlife hide and another car park and entrance to the park) and follow the water's edge. There are good views across the water to Benarty Hill. Go through a gate and then climb slightly to pass through a set of double gates and across the top of a field.
At the far end another set of double gates leads to The Clune, an area of grass and heathland which has archaeological features dating back to the Bronze Age. The path climbs here before dipping back down towards the water. The wheel for the coal mine can be seen beyond the Park Centre from here. Go through a gate into Garry Park Wood and soon take the turn on the left to cross the outflow of the Loch. Turn left after this bridge and pass behind the sailing boat sheds and outdoor education centre.
Soon a car park is reached, cross this and follow the edge of the Loch back to the Park Centre where there are toilets and a cafe. Looking ahead, you can see the Mary Pitt head frame just to the north - a reminder of the area's mining heritage and the 78 men who lost their lives working at the colliery.
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