Fife Walks: 7 Best Fife Walks
Looking for the best Fife walks? I’ve walked all around Fife, from it’s coastal path to the hills and woodlands, so I’ve got first hand experience of the most incredible trails. This guide shares my favourite Fife walks, including parking, cafes, and viewpoints.
The beauty of the best walks in Fife undoubtedly lies in how amazingly varied the landscape is.
Sublime coastal paths and hidden sandy beaches. Leafy forests trails. Routes through charming fishing villages. Hikes over rolling hills which emerge into historic towns.
Plus, there’s a whole range of walks in Fife to choose from.
For instance, hikers will love the steep route up the Lomond Hills. Whilst there’s excellent short, flat routes to be found by the sea and amongst woodland. And if you’re keen for a challenge, check out the long-distance Fife Coastal Path.
Though many travellers will visit the best places in Fife on a road trip, the best way to really see it is by going on a walk or hike. And whether you want a simple morning stroll or something altogether more challenging, there’s a Fife walk you’ll love.
In this guide, I’m sharing the best walks in Fife with practical tips on parking, where to eat, and what to wear.
Let’s go!
Best walks in Fife
As is common in Scotland, the best walks in Fife are spread across coast and countryside with its gorgeous forests and beaches amongst the trails.
These walks are easily accessed via car parks from the villages at the start of each trail, and ideally situated for anyone on a Fife road trip or daytrip from Edinburgh.
WHAT TO WEAR FOR YOUR FIFE WALK
Given the Fife walks listed below are easily accessible, you don’t need any special equipment. However, there are some walking clothes that will ensure you have the best day out. These are my walk essentials:
Walking shoes
Comfortable, waterproof walking shoes with good grip.
Rucksack
A small rucksack for packing layers, snacks, charged phone, cameras, and other essentials.
Warm jacket/layers
The wind can be pretty chilly, especially by the sea!
Maps
Given that only some of these walks are well-signposted, but not all, download OS maps on your phone for directions.
1. East Neuk Coastal Walk
This coastal path is easily the best of all the walks in Fife.
Along a moderately easy trail with big rewards, it provides everything from gorgeous coastal views to historic harbours and fishing villages, to seafood cafes and ice cream. On the Fife Coastal Path (this is arguably it’s best part), start in the quaint town of Elie and follow the trail along the cliffs and into the East Neuk villages that dot this coastline.
You’ll finish this beautiful Fife walk in Crail where a detour to the harbour is worth the extra short stroll.
Distance: 17km / 10 miles
Time: 3 – 5 hours
Route type: Out & back
Parking: Elie Ruby Bay (here on Google Maps)
Alternatively, a shorter option is to finish in the town of Anstruther (10km / 6 miles) and celebrate the end in one if its excellent eateries: the Dreel Tavern and the Anstruther Fish Bar are some of the best.
2. Maspie Den
When searching for Fife’s best woodland walks, Maspie Den is one of the most recommended. And for good reason – the forest is beautiful, there’s heaps of trails to follow, and there’s a stunning waterfall.
Spend a few hours exploring the Den, and if you have time, a short walk from the forest will lead you into the pretty village of Falkland. After, pop into Stables Café who offer delicious lunch options and hot drinks (the hot chocolate is amazing!)
Personally, I think this is the most beautiful woodland Fife walk.
Distance: 4km / 3 miles
Time: 2 - 3 hours
Route type: Circular
Parking: Maspie Den (here on Google Maps)
Find the route here.
3. East Lomond
This is one of Fife’s highest points, a 7km moderate hike climbing up the steep winding trail to the top of East Lomond with its incredible countryside views. On its return, it also passes through the magical forest of Maspie Den with its woodland trails and tumbling waterfalls.
Begin and end this Fife walk in the picturesque village of Falkland, where there’s heaps of cafes, restaurants, and pubs to recover in.
Distance: 7km / 4 miles
Time: 3 – 4 hours
Route type: Circular
Parking: Falkland (here) or Craigsmead (here)
Alternatively, park here in the middle of the route and walk East Lomond first, stop for a break in Falkland (Stables Café or Bruce Inn), and return via Maspie Den.
Find the route here.
4. North Queensferry Coastal Circuit
As the name of this Fife walk implies, this route will take you around the North Queensferry coast and under the grand Forth Rail Bridge.
Fairly easy, it only takes a few hours to complete, with stunning views over the Forth and the iconic bridges. The main highlight of this walk is without a doubt the panoramic views of the village and entire Rail Bridge. After, enjoy a very delicious lunch in Rankins Café.
Distance: 5km / 3miles
Time: 2 hours
Route type: Circular
Parking: North Queensferry (here on Google Maps)
Find the route here.
This walk is a smaller part of the Fife Coastal Path and the start of one of its best parts. Check out this Fife Coastal Path guide, if you’re keen for a longer walk.
5. Fife Coastal Path
At over 118km, the Fife Coastal Path is the longest of our Fife walks.
It’s also one of Scotland’s great trails, and it’s longest coastal path, making its way around the entire Fife peninsula. The route itself is reasonably easy going for the majority of the walk, though more challenging around its tidal section. Along the way are some urban stages, whilst the best coastal sections are to be found between Lower Largo to St Andrews.
The biggest challenge is covering the distance, which takes around 10 days to complete.
The good news is that, of course, you don’t have to walk the entire trail. Instead, split it into manageable stages, or simply choose its best parts to walk. There are a number of different spots to start your walk, all well sign-posted and easy to access.
Distance: 183km / 113 miles
Time: 8 – 11 days
Route type: Long distance
Find the route here.
6. Culross Heritage Walk
Located in West Fife, the gorgeous village of Culross is home to the most perfectly preserved 17th century buildings in Scotland and a beautiful, ancient ochre-coloured palace.
This short Fife walk explores the town’s cobbled streets, along the coastal causeway, and up to the ruins of West Kirk church. The village itself is amazing but the views from the top of this steep alleyway (here) are also pretty incredible.
Distance: 4km / 3miles
Time: 1 – 2 hours
Route type: Circular
Parking: Culross East (here on Google Maps)
Find the route here.
7. St Andrews Coastline
The coastline around historic St Andrews is stunning and walking along the clifftops makes for one of the best walks in Fife.
Our trail begins at East Sands beach and quickly climbs the short hill onto the clifftops above. Along a moderately easy pathway, it provides you with the most breathtaking coastal views with hidden sandy coves and black volcanic rocks far below.
Finally, the walk finishes at a rock formation what is known locally as the ‘rock and spindle’. From here, simply retrace your footsteps back to St Andrews. If possible, walk this route at sunset when the light here is spectacular.
Distance: 5km / 3 miles
Time: 2 – 3 hours
Route type: Out & back
Parking: East Sands (here on Google Maps)
Find the route here.
Tip / Given this is part of the much bigger Fife Coastal trail, you may be keen to walk further. If so, then extend this route to Kingsbarns further along the coast and return by bus. Note there is a section only walkable at low tide, so check the tide times in advance.
