Kinghorn pathways A choice of short to long distance trails for walkers, cyclists and horse-riders. Superb sea and country views with abundant wildlife. KINGHORN COMMUNITY COUNCIL
In Scotland you have the right of access to most places and countryside, as long as you exercise that right responsibly. This includes walking, horse-riding, cycling and canoeing - but powered vehicles are allowed only with the landowner s permission. Kinghorn is within a very wide area of attractive countryside, criss-crossed by numerous paths and quiet country roads. It has a rocky coastline with many islets and rocks that seals use all the year round. There are very interesting small beaches and rock pools to investigate. The village has a splendid beach at its heart, and another wide beach between Kinghorn and Burntisland. The community council has produced this set of local walks, for both within the village and outside, and vary from short ambles to 10 mile hikes. Several are suitable for horses and cycles, and some are wheelchair friendly - although most are hilly. They start either from the lochside at Craigencalt or from the railway station. Remember that you do not have to stick to the pathways, but avoid crop fields. Dogs enjoy the space but cattle do not normally like dogs. For your own safety do not take a dog into a field of cattle. Many fields are generally accessible from late autumn through to April. The Scottish Outdoor Code gives more information.
Kinghorn Beach When you go out and about in the countryside remember that you need to do so in a responsible manner. Your main responsibilities are: (1) Take responsibility for your own actions - the outdoors can be a naturally dangerous place and you are legally responsible for your own safety. (2) Respect other people s privacy and peace of mind - avoid people s gardens, the area around farm houses and steadings other than on a path or track. (3) Care for your environment. (4) Keep your dog under proper control.
Reproduced from Ordnance Survey map data by permission of Ordnance Survey, Crown copyright.
1: Easter Braes Distance: 2.1 km (1.3 mile). Terrain : Good paths, easy going. 1. From station cross bridge to Harbour Road. 2.Turn left under viaduct (Nethergate) & immediately right through Play Park. 3. Under low railway bridge, following Coastal Path. 4. Continue to wide grassy platform. 5. Return by same way or down Nethergate onto beach for detour. Views: Superb rugged coast and spectacular views to Inchkeith & Edinburgh. Watch the sea birds and lobster fishermen.
2: Carlinhead Rocks Distance: 1.6 km (1.0 mile) Terrain : Easy, paved paths & narrow dirt path through rocks and on beach, moderate going. 1. From station, cross footbridge and cross road to footpath opposite. 2. Follow footpath heading toward headland, proceeding down towards the rocky shore beyond the beach. 3. At shore level follow rough path through the rocks, continuing towards headland for as far as possible. 4. Note basalt ( whin ) rock formations. 5. Return around beach on to promenade and follow toward Parish Church. 6. Turn left up Nethergate and left (before viaduct) to return to station. Views & interest: Walk to column basalt rock formations & wartime bunkers. Excellent views of Kinghorn, Inchkeith & Edinburgh.
3: Pettycur Bay Distance: 2.1 km (1.3 mile) Terrain : Road & beach, easy going. 1. From station, cross footbridge and cross road to footpath opposite (Doo Dells). 2. Stay on the high level footpath past Rosslind Hotel to end of small park area. Turn right on to Pettycur Road. Turn left. 3. Walk down Pettycur Road. See if you can tell which houses on the shore side were converted from Napoleonic watch stations and defences. Also a number of wartime pillboxes. 4. Look for the old fishing cottages on the shore. 5. Enjoy the harbour & beach before returning along Pettycur Road. Views & interest: Pleasant walk to wide sandy beaches at Pettycur and historic harbour, where once the ferry to the north came from Edinburgh before the era of the railways. Views over to Edinburgh and Burntisland. Waders abound on the wide expanse of sands. Award beach.
4: Townhead & Glamis Distance: 1.8 km (1.1 mile) Terrain : Paved paths, grass & road but steep in places. Some steep sets of steps. Moderate going. 1. From station, go uphill to War Memorial. Cross High Street up Balliol Street & almost immediately turn left up past school. 2. At golf course turn right uphill on grass. Keep going uphill onto tarmac road and where this ends, turn right along Burnside Ave, thence left up Barclay Rd. 3. Turn right to end of Kings Drive and take steep steps down onto Glamis Road at old mill & workshops. Turn right along narrow, interesting path and take steep path on left down onto the High Street (St.Leonards Place). 4. Cross the road into Cunzie Neuk (historic site of Scottish Mint) and head steeply downhill past Auld Hoose, under the viaduct and right, back to station. Views & interest: Good views up past the golf course and then an interesting walk past many old houses and narrow passageways.
5: Eastport & Overgate. Distance: 1.5 km (0.9 mile) Terrain : Paved paths & road but quite steep in places. Fairly easy going. 1. From station, go uphill to High Street, turn right. After Co-Op store immediately left up steep path and then first right at Glamis Rd. Follow along narrow path, past old mill house & workshops onto North Overgate. Left, uphill, then first right at East Gate. 2. Follow East Gate onto main road (Bruce Terrace) & go right along main road as far as The Ship. Take steep downhill (South Overgate) under viaduct, and right, back to station Views & interest: Interesting walk past many 18th & 19th century houses and narrow passageways.
Reproduced from Ordnance Survey map data by permission of Ordnance Survey, Crown copyright.
Craigencalt & Kinghorn Loch Craigencalt Farm, Ecology Centre & Earthship Fife. Parking and terrain. Car parking at east side of the loch & at jetty. Good paths & easy going, some are not made up and may be muddy. Activities and views. Lots of activities, points of interest and sculptures made by schools and other groups. Excellent views from the higher tracks. Wildlife. From buzzards to grebe and swans. Lots of wildlife to be observed. Hide on the loch. Fishing for carp and pike.
Reproduced from Ordnance Survey m
ap data by permission of Ordnance Survey, Crown copyright.
Trail 1: Craigencalt in September Trail 2: View from Kinghorn Golf Course
Trail 6: Seal colony at Seafield Trail 7: Pettycur Bay & Beaches
1: Grangehill & Craigencalt Distance: 4.1 km (2.6 mile) Terrain : Easy stone tracks and roads. 1. From the station, follow road to High Street. Cross the road & up Balliol Street to the school. Immediately after the school, take track on left to golf course and turn left to club house. 2. Cross golf course on stone track and continue past Grangehill Steading until arrive at the main road at Gallowhill/Whinnyknowe. 3. Cross the road carefully and bear right to a track (Bramble Lane) just below Whinnyhall Tip. 4. Follow the stone track to Craigencalt Farm. Various paths through the woods beside the loch may be taken instead. 5. Return to Kinghorn by following to the road end, following the lochside to the sluice or going north Views: Superb views to Inchkeith, Arthurs Seat & Edinburgh. Visit the Ecology Centre, Earthship and the lochside. One of our best trails. Birds & wild flowers.
2: Grangehill towards Kingswood End Distance: Short detour at Grangehill (route 1). Terrain : Difficult sheep track. 1. From the station, follow road to High Street. Cross the road & go west. Bear right to Golf Course hut (as Route 1: Grangehill & Craigencalt). 2. Cross golf course westward on stone track and just before Grangehill House take field gate on left and follow along ridge to wooded copse for fine views, looking over Pettycur Bay Holiday Park to Edinburgh to the south, the Bridges to the west and out to Isle of May to the east. Return same way. Views: Superb views of Pettycur Bay and harbour, the Black Rock, to Inchkeith island with its World War 2 defences (a map of these is in the Auld House pub), Arthur's Seat & Edinburgh. Westwards view Burntisland, Inchcolm island with its ancient abbey and the Bridges. Eastwards to the gannet colonies of Bass Rock and the remote flat island of Isle of May.
3: The Binn Distance: 9.7 km (6.0 mile) Terrain : Mainly made tracks & road, some rough going. Beware cliff edge on The Binn.. 1. From station, follow to High St, cross road & up Balliol St to school. Immediately after school, take track on left to golf course and left to Club House. 2. Follow track westwards over Grangehill to arrive at main road at Whinnyknowe. 3. Cross road and take track uphill, eventually to top of The Binn. Check out viewing table. 4. Continue westwards ove the top and head for the pond below. At the pond head north on muddy track through styles and gates to arrive at Dunearn/Standing Stanes road. 5. Head east on easy, quiet road. Immediately before Longloch Farm entry, either take rough track south or continue on Standing Stanes road. 6. Refer to Rodenbraes trail for journey back by either route. Views: Superb views throughout, Inchkeith, Edinburgh, the Bridges (west) & Isle of May (east). Special views down on Burntisland from The Binn.
4:Binnend, Common & Standing Stanes Road Distance: 6.4 km (4.0 mile) Terrain : Moderately good tracks & road 1. From Craigencalt take stone track through farm & westwards to main road. Use pavement for 120m then take track on right, continuing westwards to the ruined Binned Village at crossroads of the paths. 2. Head north on stone track with walls on both sides. Pass ruined hamlet at Common and on to Standing Stanes road, a quiet easy road with fabulous views. 3. At crossroads take the road south through the Kissing Trees and after 700m take farm track on right Craigencalt Cottage. Keep bearing left along track until return to starting place. Views: Spend time at the loch side, Earthship & Ecology Centre. Historic ruined villages from C19th oil shale industry. Superb views from Standing Stane Road. Interesting throughout.
5: Bachory & Jawbane Road to Kirkcaldy Distance:6.0 km (3.7 mile)+return (Coastal Path) Terrain : Good paths, tracks & road, may be muddy. 1. From station, follow to High St, cross road & up Balliol St to school. Immediately after school, take track on left to golf course. Turn right uphill along edge of course. Keep going north & follow narrow path along edge of village to main road. Cross carefully to the loch side. 2. Follow bank to Craigencalt Farm. Through farm, take right past Craigencalt Cottage & to Kissing Trees road end. 3. Turn left. After 500 m take road on right past Banchory & Drinkbetween. At road end (Standing Stane/ Jawbane road) turn right & follow easy, quiet road to meet main road at Inverteil rail bridge. Carefully cross road to pavement. 4. Turn right into Kirkcaldy & take right at roundabout into Kinghorn Rd. On left take side road marked Coastal Path. Return using trail 6. Views: Spend time at the lochside, Earthship & Ecology Centre. Superb views from Banchory & Jawbane Road and back on Coastal path.
6: Coastal Path to Kirkcaldy Distance: 3.3 km (2.0 mile) + return Terrain : Moderate path with steps, can be muddy. Sheer cliff to side in places. 1. From the station cross the footbridge & turn left down Harbour Road. 2. At the bottom of the hill pass under viaduct & turn right through play park. 3. Pass under railway and follow path to Kirkcaldy. 4. Watch the seals on the islets just before Seafield Tower, changing at all states of the tide. 5. On return take lower path just after the tower & follow over the iron bridge at the cave. This brings you up to the top of the wall & steps & back on to the main path. Do not attempt to descend the cliff. 6. Complete the circle through Banchory via the Jawbane Road (Trail 6) if time allows. Views: Superb rugid coast and spectacular views to Inchkeith & Edinburgh. Plentiful seals, waders & ducks on the islets & pools. Ancient Seafield Tower.
7: Beach to Binnend Distance: 4.3 km (2.6 mile) + return. Terrain : Crossing beach is only possible within 3 hours of low tide. Good boots or wellingtons essential for crossing beach. Remainder is good paths with significant uphill stretches. 1. From south side of station, up Harbour Rd to Pettycur Rd. Cross into Park Place & follow. At crossroad, cross into Canmore St then left into Queens Cres. At western end take small lane to cemetery. Follow westward & at end of cemetery take path downhill (steps) to Pettycur Bay. 2. Follow beach west to edge of Burntisland. Take first underbridge of Burntisland Beach to Sands Hotel. Cross main road, up Greenmount Road South & right along Kirkbank Rd for 400m. 3. Take path on left into woodland. Follow to Burntisland Golf Club House. 4. Cross main road to woodland path & take either narrow path straight uphill or easier wider path, to reach the ruined village of Binnend. 5. Several return trails exist, but Rodenbraes is a good choice. Views: Lots of ships & wading birds along beach & watersports. Very interesting trail.
8: Rodenbraes Distance: 6.4 km (4.0 mile) Terrain : Rough & often overgrown, cross fields (no dogs please if cattle present), track & road. 1. From Craigencalt take stone road through farm & westwards until after Woodland Walk and after last field take narrow path on right up through green gate through trees. 2. Follow narrow path with good views until ruin of Rodenbraes (a C19th gamekeeper s house - also called the Witches House ) is reached. 3. After Rodenbraes pass northwards to edge of field. Turn left along field edge and westwards through second field to farm track (Common road). 4. Go north with walls on both sides. Pass ruined hamlet at Common and on to Standing Stanes road, a quiet easy road with fabulous views. 5. At crossroads take the road south through the Kissing Trees and after 700m take farm track on right Craigencalt Cottage. Keep bearing left along track until return to starting place. Views: Spectacular views from Rodenbraes path & differently from Standing Stane road. Spend time at the lochside, Earthship & Ecology Centre. Excellent walk.
This booklet is available on-line and as individual walks at www.kinghorncommunity.org.uk. Also as a booklet at Kirkcaldy Tourist Office, Kinghorn Library, Community Centre and local shops. If you have any comments please let us know, through email at the website. Kinghorn Community Council, 2008. Care has been taken in drawing up these trails but descriptions cannot be taken as accurate. Note that the author accepts no responsibility for people using these paths and some paths may not be fully accessible at any particular time.