The 10-Day Fife Coastal Path is a Great Scottish Hike That’s Not in the Highlands

Following the historic coastline of Scotland’s Fife Peninsula, the Fife Coastal Path joins the quaintest fishing villages, medieval castles, rocky coastline, and secluded beaches leading in and out of St Andrews. Jane and Michael Pelusey walked it in winter and share their adventure.

Quick Overview

The Fife Coastal Path, from Kincardine in the south to Newburgh in the north, is located around an hour’s drive from Edinburgh. It follows the Fife Coast around the Firth of Forth, North Sea, and Firth of Tay for 183km. It winds through St Andrews, the stronghold of medieval Scottish Catholicism, one of the oldest universities and of course, golf. It can be divided up into about 10 days staying in villages, camping or from a base using the Fife bus network.

Read more: Remember to leave no trace

Fife Coastal Path Quick Facts

Distance: 183km
Duration: 10 days
Nearest town: Edinburgh 53km, Kirkcaldy and St Andrews are on the trail

About the Fife Coastal Path

This is the longest coastal path in Scotland. It joins all the villages on the Fife Coast with a trail. Each village centres around their protected harbours where the tide comes in allowing the fishing fleet and tour boats to come and go. The path varies from footpath, back roads, and narrow natural tracks.

When we walked the Fife Coastal Path in winter, some accommodation options were closed, so we used the Fife bus network to get to and from our base in St Andrews. Highlights of the 183km trail are the ochre-coloured Royal Burgh of Culross, medieval villages of Crail, Anstruther, Pittenweem, and the numerous castle ruins along the route. One of the most impressive and largest ruins along the path is the 11th century St Andrews Cathedral.

Fife Coastal Path History

The history of Fife goes back to the Bronze Age, but most of the settlements date back to the 1100s. Fife has a rich history of Scottish royalty in Dunfermline, religious pilgrimage to St Andrews, and the once thriving fishing industry. The Fife Coastal Path was established in 2002 and lengthened in 2011.

How to Get to the Fife Coastal Path

The Fife Coastal Path is accessible by car or bus and is a 45 minute drive from Edinburgh. From the start at Kincardine to the end at Newburgh is only 55km as the crow flies, but the trail is much longer following the coast.

By Car

Mostly, we drove from our base in nearby St Andrews to the start of our selected stage for that day. We then walked that stage and conveniently caught the bus back to the car. Although there isn’t anywhere to park at the trailhead, you can get dropped off near the Auld Hoose (a pub) on Forth St and walk under the bridge.

By Bus

We stayed in St Andrews and used the reliable bus network to get around. The bus that gets to Kincardine comes from Dunfermline, the biggest city in Fife.

The other important location to know is the Halbeath Park and Ride. The airport bus stops here with bus connections all over Fife. The 95 bus that goes along the south coast is useful as well. The Stage Coach bus app was helpful in getting around.

Where to Stay Along the Fife Coastal Path

There are a myriad of options for staying overnight on the Fife Coastal Path particularly in summer. When we went in winter, many places were closed because it’s outside the tourist season. You can wild camp or stay in caravan parks for extra facilities. If you prefer a roof overhead, accommodation ranges from quaint pubs with rooms upstairs, to B&Bs or fancy hotels.

Where to Camp on Fife Coastal Path

Scottish Outdoor Access Code allows people to camp anywhere with small tents well away from buildings and roads. Avoid camping in enclosed fields of crops or near farm animals. If camping on the beach, make sure you know where the high tide mark is.

Best Places to Stay on Fife Coastal Path

Caravan and holiday parks are dotted around the peninsula like St Monans Caravan Park. They have cabin and camping options but many close out of tourist season.

The stage from West Weymss to St Andrews features lots of overnight room options, including the Harbour Inn at Anstruther and The Ship Inn at Elie.

Skill Level

Intermediate (with variations throughout)

The skill level required to walk the Fife Coastal Path is mostly beginner friendly. Nevertheless, there are a few near 30km stages that require good fitness, especially if you are backing up the next day. The exception to the rule is the height challenging Chain Walk near Elie. It’s dubbed the Via Ferrata of Scotland, but without clip ins, it has an advanced skill level rating.

Essential Gear for Fife Coastal Path

• Day pack
• Water bottle (there are regular villages to fill up on water along the way)
• Snacks to get you from one town to another
• Sturdy hiking boots that can handle excessively boggy sections
• The WalkHighlands website has interactive maps and descriptions
• Rain gear – This is Scotland so be prepared for all weather conditions

Read more: 7 Tips for Rainy Day Hiking

What it’s Like to Hike the Fife Coastal Path

We knew about the extensive hiking routes in the Scottish Highlands but discovering the Fife Coastal Path was a big highlight. The mix of pretty towns, stunning coast, and ruined castles along the way add so much variety to this multiday hike.

We met friendly locals often walking their dogs, seemingly surprised to see two Australians in puffy jackets hiking in winter. At times it was like being in an episode of Outlander as many of these locations are used in the series, like Culross and Aberdour.

Day 1 – Kincardine to North Queensferry

Distance: 27km
Duration: 6-8 hours
Highlights: Culross and exploring some of the Fife Pilgrim Trail

Our hike started after getting off a bus at Kincardine and walking under the blue arch Fife Coastal Path trailhead. The path wound past farmland and coastline, while water birds frolicked in the shallow tidal pools.

After 6km we arrived at the ochre-washed buildings of Culross, a royal burgh. The Fife Pilgrim Trail starts in Culross which takes in Culross Palace and Culross Abbey. It’s a short detour but well worth exploring before rejoining the Fife Coastal Path.

The Red Lion was booked out for lunch, so we found a small café for a hearty soup of the day.

The second half of this stage features some medieval limestone kilns in a town called Limekiln. You can stay at The Inn at Charlestown.

Around the impressive Firth of Forth bridge, the Fife Coastal Path is dominated by less scenic heavy industry. Some hikers, including us, skip this section.

Day 2 – North Queensferry to Burntisland

Distance: 18.5km
Duration: 4-5 hours
Highlights: St Bridget’s Kirk Church and Aberdour Beach and Castle

As we walked through the less-historic looking Dalgety Bay, to our surprise we found medieval ruins of St Bridget’s Kirk Church and graveyard, dating back to the late 1100s.

One of the lovely traditions we discovered along our walk through towns are cottage windows displaying model ships celebrating rich seafaring heritage.

The villages of Wester Aberdour and Easter Aberdour share a beautiful sweep of beach along Silversands Bay.

Day 3 – Burntisland to East Wemyss

Distance: 19km
Duration: 4-5 hours

This part of the walk was dominated by the town of Kirkcaldy, the second biggest town in Fife. Its nickname is Lang Toun (Long Town) because it stretches out along the coast, as we found out. It has a long history as well. In our opinion, the best walking days start after leaving West Wemyss.

Day 4 – East Wemyss to Lower Largo

Distance: 11.5km
Duration: 3-4 hours
Highlights: Wemyss Cave and Macduff’s Castle

Hiking in winter has its downsides and it’s not just the weather. Many places are closed to the public, and the Weymss Cave was one of them. In ‘season’, you can take a tour into the caves where the walls feature the largest collection of Pictish inscribed symbols in one place. The caves somehow link to Macduff’s Castle above. Yes, Macduff, during the time of King Macbeth. It’s like going back to English literature lessons at school.

Day 5 – Lower Largo to St Monans

Distance: 14km
Duration: 3-4 hours
Highlights: Elie Beach, Newark Castle, and Bowhouse Markets

Day five for us was full of detours. The badly-timed high tide scuppered our route along the Elie Chain Walk. It’s a death-defying 500m of chain-supported steep ascents and descents.

We bypassed it to the town of Elie, the 2025 winner of Scotland’s best beaches. Then, yet another detour from Elie to Newark Castle, thanks to coastal erosion making the path unsafe.

Despite the less than ideal bypass walks along a nearby road, we jagged the busy Bowhouse Markets that open every second weekend and the nearby Ardross Farm Shop.

After coffee and a bite, we dropped back down to the coast, to find Newark Castle (1400s) and Auld Kirk (1369). Then, we entered St Monans, a quaint fishing village with assorted boats anchored within a walled harbour.

Day 6 – St Monans to Crail

Distance: 12.5km
Duration: 3-4 hours
Highlights: St Monans Windmill, Pittenweem whisky, Cullen Skink, Caiplie Caves, and Anstruther seafood

This stretch was highlighted with numerous picturesque fishing villages and great seafood. We enjoyed lunch at Chip Ahoy at Larachmhor. After our Cullen Skink (Scottish seafood chowder), the publican, with a soft spot for Australians, gave us a taste of single malt whiskies.

We continued past tidal pools, small coves with yellow sand, and unusual rock formations. The trail threaded between the rocky high tide mark and recently ploughed fields, into Crail, one of the quaintest villages on the entire route.

Read more: Staying Safe on Coastal Rock Platforms

Day 7 – Crail to Kingsbarns

Distance: 9.5km
Duration: 2-3 hours
Highlights: Crail Harbour Gallery and Tearoom and the Links Golf courses near Crail and Kingsbarns

We started our day exploring the wonders of Crail, once a Royal Burgh declared by Robert the Bruce. The walled harbour was packed with colourful fishing and tour boats. After fuelling up with scones, jam, and cream at the quaint Crail Harbour Gallery and Tearoom, we hit the trail.

With the ocean on one side and links golf courses on the other, we headed towards St Andrews, the so-called home of golf. Links courses are built on sand dunes between the beach and more fertile farmland soil.

Day 8 – Kingsbarns to St Andrews

Distance: 13.5km
Duration: 3-4 hours
Highlights: St Andrews Cliff Path, St Andrews Cathedral, St Andrews Castle Sands, and tidal pool

Links golf courses were coming thick and fast, as well as coastline with rocky coves and caves, the stuff of legendary pirate treasure and smugglers.

As we turned a corner, in the distance we could see East Sands Beach and beyond to St Andrews Cathedral. It was built in 1158 and became the centre of Scottish Medieval Catholicism.

It now lies in spectacular ruin. We continued onto St Andrews Castle, sitting atop a cliff above a beautiful beach and tidal pool of kelp and sea urchins.

Day 9 – St Andrews to Newport on Tay

Distance: 29km
Duration: 6-8 hours
Highlights: West Sands beach, St Andrews Old Course, and Tentsmuir Forest

The Old Course is an iconic sports location. The famous golf landmark, the Swilcan Stone Bridge, existed before the golf course. In the 15th century, shepherds herded sheep across the bridge.

We stopped for beer and lunch at the historic Jiggers Inn, located at the 17th hole.

The West Sands Beach in the distance isn’t on the Fife Coastal Path, but worth the short detour. It’s the film location of the beach running scene from Chariots of Fire.

The trail headed inland to navigate past River Eden, through Leuchars, and into Tentsmuir Forest. After all the coast, a few kilometres of forest offered a welcome change. Planted with Scottish pine 100 years ago, the forest has received the highest ‘bog factor’ rating for the Fife Coastal Trail on the Walk Highlands app. Keep an eye out for Red squirrels which have tufts of red fur on their ears during winter.

Day 10 – Newport on Tay to Newburgh

Distance: 28.5km
Duration: 6-8 hours

We had spectacular weather for the whole hike except for the last day. Cold, wet, and windy along with a severe weather warning turned us off doing the final 28km. Hypothermia wasn’t part of our plan, so we hunkered down by the fire. The trail would’ve taken us on the hilliest section (200m) meandering through rural areas, away from the coast.

Tips For Hiking the Fife Coastal Path

• The weather in Scotland is highly changeable any time of year so be prepared for all seasons
• It’s quiet in winter and places are closed. In summer, it’s busy with people having beach holidays so you most likely will have to book ahead. Prices also go up.

FAQs Fife Coastal Path

How long does it take to walk the Fife Coastal Path?

The Fife Coastal Path can be completed in about 10 days, depending on your pace.

How difficult is the Fife Coastal Path?

The Fife Coastal Path is an easy hike if you’re reasonably fit. You can carry a day pack and stay in accommodation. The Elie Chain Walk is difficult and not possible during high tides, so be prepared.

What is the best time to walk the Fife Coastal Path?

Fife Coastal Path is best walked all year round but be prepared for quietness in winter or busyness in summer. Typically, Scottish weather is highly changeable anytime of the year.

Can you do day walks on the Fife Coastal Path?

The Fife Coastal Path is ideal for day walks. Each leg or stage of the Fife Coastal Path is accessible by car and bus. Our favourite leg was the St Monans to Crail.

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