Explore Fife / The Fife Coastal Path
The Fife Coastal Path
Around 117 miles of waymarked path from the Forth bridges to the Tay, through fishing villages, sandy bays and clifftops. Here’s how to enjoy it, a day at a time, from our holiday homes.
The Fife Coastal Path runs from Kincardine on the Firth of Forth to Newburgh on the Tay, about 117 miles (188 km) in all. It’s one of Scotland’s Great Trails and is waymarked throughout. Few people walk it in one go: most pick a section, walk one way and catch the bus or train back.
The eight sections
| Section | Passing | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Kincardine to Limekilns | Culross, Torry Bay, Charlestown | 11 miles |
| 2. Limekilns to Burntisland | Forth bridges, Inverkeithing, Aberdour, Silver Sands | 17 miles |
| 3. Burntisland to Buckhaven | Kinghorn, Kirkcaldy, Ravenscraig, Dysart, Wemyss Caves | 14 miles |
| 4. Buckhaven to Elie | Methil, Leven, Lundin Links, Lower Largo | 13 miles |
| 5. Elie to Kingsbarns | St Monans, Pittenweem, Anstruther, Crail, Fife Ness | 16 miles |
| 6. Kingsbarns to Leuchars | Boarhills, St Andrews, Guardbridge | 14 miles |
| 7. Leuchars to Wormit | Tentsmuir, Tayport, Tay Road Bridge | 16 miles |
| 8. Wormit to Newburgh | Balmerino, Norman’s Law | 15.5 miles |
Section distances from the Fife Coast and Countryside Trust, which looks after the path. Its website has maps, current diversions and tide information.
Walks from our homes
All of these are easy to do in a morning or afternoon, with public transport back to where you started. Times and distances are approximate.
Leven to Lower Largo
About 3 miles along the sands of Largo Bay. Keep going to Elie if you’re feeling strong.
Getting back: Bus 95 back to Leven. Stay nearby: Glebe Street Apartment, One Viewforth Square, The Wellesley Apartment, Sea Road Retreat.
Kinghorn to Kirkcaldy and Dysart
Pettycur Bay, the Kirkcaldy promenade, Ravenscraig Castle and Dysart harbour.
Getting back: Bus 7, or the train from Kirkcaldy. Stay nearby: The Rowan Nook.
Aberdour to Burntisland
Silver Sands, the Hawkcraig cliffs and the coast to Burntisland’s beach.
Getting back: Train or bus 7 back to Aberdour. Stay nearby: Croftgary Snug.
Inverkeithing to North Queensferry
A short walk to the three Forth bridges, including the Forth Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Getting back: Train back to Inverkeithing. Stay nearby: The Maltings Retreat.
St Monans to Anstruther
Past the windmill and through Pittenweem’s harbour: about 3.5 miles. Crail is another 4 miles on.
Getting back: Bus 95 back to St Monans. Stay nearby: The Fifie.
East Wemyss caves walk
From East Wemyss along the foot of the cliffs to the ancient carved caves and Macduff’s Castle.
Getting back: Bus 7. Stay nearby: The Wellesley Apartment, Sea Road Retreat.
Before you go
- Check the tides. Some stretches, including parts of Largo Bay, St Monans, Ravenscraig and Boarhills to St Andrews, are best walked at low tide. There’s usually a signed high-tide route.
- The Elie Chain Walk is an optional scramble along the cliffs with chains fixed into the rock. It’s only possible around low tide and isn’t suitable for children or dogs. If you get into trouble on the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
- Dogs should be on a lead near livestock, especially around Fife Ness and in north Fife.
- Buses and trains: bus 7 follows the south coast from Dunfermline to Leven, bus 95 runs from Leven through the East Neuk to St Andrews, and trains stop at North Queensferry, Inverkeithing, Aberdour, Burntisland, Kinghorn, Kirkcaldy and Leven. Check current timetables before you set off.
