The Fife Coastal Path

Linking the Forth and Tay Estuaries, the Fife Coastal Path runs for over 183km though the varied landscapes of Fife. The route links some of Scotland's most picturesque former fishing villages as well as the home of golf - St Andrews with its ancient University. In between are miles of golden beaches, attractive woods and nature reserves but the route also threads its way through industrial towns such as Kirkcaldy and Leven. History is everywhere, from the winding gear of the former coalyards to ruined castles and the pictish and prehistoric carvings in the Wemyss caves.

Stage descriptions	Length	Time	Done
1: Kincardine to North Queensferry	27km	6-8 hours
2: North Queensferry to Burntisland	18.5km	4½5½ hours
3: Burntisland to East Wemyss	18.75km	4½-5½ hours
4: East Wemyss to Lower Largo	11.5km	3-3½ hours
5: Lower Largo to St Monans	14km	3-4 hours
6: St Monans - Anstruther	5.75km	1½-2 hours
7: Anstruther to Crail	6.75km	1½-2 hours
8: Crail to Kingsbarns	9.5km	3-3½ hours
9: Kingsbarns to St Andrews	13.5km	3-4 hours
10: St Andrews - Newport on Tay	29km	6-8 hours
11: Newport on Tay to Newburgh	28.5km	7-8 hours

The route has been greatly extended during 2011-12 and is now open around the complete coastline of Fife from Kincardine to Newburgh.

THE CHALLENGE

The route is well waymarked and offers straightforward walking. Some sections can be muddy underfoot. The stretches between Crail and St Andrews (via Kingsbarns), and from Balmerino to Newburgh, are long and relatively remote, giving rougher going than the rest of the route.