Fife Coastal Path 10: St Andrews to Newport on Tay

Summary

This stage of the Fife Coastal Path begins with a long stretch along the cycle route adjacent to the road from St Andrews to Guardbridge. After Leuchars the route becomes more attractive as the Tentsmuir forest lead on to Tayport. The finale to the Tay Bridge offers superb views across the Firth of Tay to Broughty Ferry and Dundee.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Cyclepath, pavements, sometimes muddy path through fields and forestry tracks.

Getting there

Start

St Andrews.

Public Transport

Buses serve St Andrews, Leuchars, Tayport and Newport.

Start Grid Ref

NO504169

Open in Google Maps

Walk Statistics

Distance: 29km / 18 miles
Time: 6 - 8 hours
Ascent: 90m (Profile)

Mapping and GPS

ROUTE MAP
View detailed map of walk

OS Paper map
Explorer 371 - St Andrews

Get our App FREE
Full GPS mapping &
descriptions when offline

Export GPX

Export KMZ

Open on Big Map showing all our routes

Want to sponsor this route?

Walk Description

User reports (1)

Stage 1

This stage of the coastal path begins from the junction of North Street with Golf Place in St Andrews. This can be reached from the bus station (also adjacent to long stay car parks) by turning left along City Road, then right at the mini roundabout onto North Street, before taking the left into Golf Place. As the eighteenth green of the Old Course is reached - one of the most famous scenes in golf - turn left along The Links, keeping the golf course on your right. There are great views of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club across the course. Keep right when another road is reached, but as you approach the modern Old Course Hotel take a left into the hotel car park. Now follow the road that passes well behind the hotel.

Stage 2

Ignore a road off to the right and continue almost until the main A91 is reached, turning right at the last moment onto the start of the cyclepath. This runs parallel to the A91 for several miles, shielded by a hedge for much of the distance. After just over 2km the route continues right beside the road. Just before reaching Guardbridge fork right onto the old road which passes the Guardbridge Hotel and then crosses the bridge over the River Eden to reach a roundabout. Cross the road to the right of the roundabout (A919) using the traffic island and then take the cycle path opposite between the houses. This emerges on a cul-de-sac; go straight across between a bungalow and house. The route now continues as a cyclepath through the woods behind Guardbridge before rejoining and running beside the A919 as it passes a paper factory.

Stage 3

At the Motray Water cross the old bridge and head through the playpark to reach a housing estate. Keep to the right of the houses to remerge onto the pavement beside the main road once more. After just over 100m cross with care and head onto the road that forks off right to head for RAF Leuchars. Keep straight on all through the base and housing, but as the old church in Leuchars village comes into view ahead turn right onto Wessex Avenue (waymarked), then the third right onto Earlshall Road (again waymarked). This soon becomes a country lane, passing Earlshall Castle (a private home) and running close by the Leuchars airfield. The public road ends at Comerton but the Fife Coastal Path continues through the gate and along the track ahead. Keep straight ahead on the track into the woods, ignoring a fork on the left and then running along the right edge of a plantation of pines.

Stage 4

The track bends to the right at the end of the trees, with a gate straight ahead. Follow the track to the right here before heading through a pedestrian gate on the left 200m further on. The path is then well marked, running between fences before turning to the right and continuing over a series of boardwalks. The quiet and attractive landscape of grassy bogs and scattered trees makes a pleasant contrast with the business of the route since St Andrews. Eventually a waymarker indicates where to turn left following a boggy path. After passing through a kissing gate the route joins a grassy track which is followed into Tentsmuir Forest. Continue along this until it meets a minor road, and then turn right onto the tarmac.

Stage 5

Keep to the road as it dog-legs to the left at Kinshady and passes a vehicle toll barrier; after a further 1km it reaches the main Tentsmuir Forest car park and picnic area, where there are toilets (seasonal) and an information board. Tentsmuir is known for its breeding seal colonies and grey seal pups can often be seen on the sand between October and December. The next section heads through the forest just inland from the dunes, following the wide track on the left as you face the forestry sign at the entrance to the car park. It soon passes a vehicle barrier and is a peaceful if slightly repetitive stretch with the chance of seeing red squirrels. A barrel-roofed, 19th century ice house is sited on the route, showing how far the sands have shifted as this would once have been near the sea and used for storing salmon caught here. As an alternative, it is possible to follow the Seashell route, waymarked in blue, as far as the ice house where you return to the Fife Coastal Path. This gives you the chance to explore the dunes with the possiblity of spotting seals; it also passes a sea water lagoon which is a haven for migrating birds where you may see eider duck, bar-tailed godwit, pink footed goose and shell duck amongst others.

Stage 6

Continuing on the Fife Coastal Path, stay on the main track (2 gates on the right give access to the dunes for detours along the way) which curves left near Tentsmuir Point. Soon after heading west, the track splits and there is a gap in the fence on the right which gives access to the water and a great view over the world war two anti-tank defences to the Tay and Dundee beyond. A path to the right leads back to the Tentsmuir reserve if you fancy another detour. Otherwise continue along the track which soon reaches Tayport Heath. Turn right at the junction to pass a green vehicle barrier and continue to the shore, passing a couple of pillboxes on the left. Curve to the left and follow the path ahead to reach the road at Lundin Bridge. From here follow the road past a few houses before turning right onto a minor road, past a car park to reach Tayport Links Caravan Park.

Stage 7

Pass through the caravan park to reach the coast at Snook Head, with great views across the Firth to Broughty Ferry. Follow the road by the seawall to the left, turning right at a junction in Tayport and then following Harbour Road through the housing until it ends at the harbour itself. Turn left to pass around the harbour, often busy with pleasure boats, and follow the road that keeps closest to the water until reaching the new housing development at West Shore. Here turn left up a gravelled ramp, turning right and then left to meet Commonty Road. Turn right along this, then follow the right fork downhill and finally fork left onto a cyclepath.

Stage 8

There are great views towards Dundee, its tower blocks backed by Dundee Law and the distant Sidlaw Hills. Closer at hand is the East Lighthouse, seemingly part of a house, just below the cycleway, and further on the slender tower of the West Lighthouse. After passing through some woods the cycleway gives ever more splendid views of the River Tay, eventually climbing up to the main road and running along the pavement. After passing round a layby the route continues beside the road, now with views of the Tay Road Bridge ahead. Keep straight on at the road junction near the bridge but then turn left across the road and up steps to reach the Tay Bridge viewing area and car park. Take the path from the far end of the car park that passes through a tunnel under the bridge and then descend the steps to reach the road. Cross carefully and turn left along the pavement on the far side to continue into the centre of Newport.

Next stage:Newport-on-Tay to Newburgh

Route Profile

Where to stay

Report error

Let us know if you've found an error in our route, or if it needs updating.

Write walk report

Share your story and photos from this route.
£150 of Highlander Outdoor gear to win every month.

Can you help support walkhighlands?

This website and app are run by 'Walkhighlands for All' - a not-for-profit set up to serve walkers' needs.
We rely on the generosity of our users - can you help?