Fife Coastal Path

Fife Coastal Path

A walk from North Queensferry to Newport-on-Tay along the golden coastline of Fife.

4 to 10 nights
35-83 miles
Easy / Moderate to Demanding / Strenuous

From £570 per person

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About the trail

Enjoy an engaging hike through changing landscapes from Fife’s industrial south to the rural north. The Fife Coastal Path explores an area of low cliffs and rocky bays, grass-tufted dunes and picturesque fishing villages. Glimpse grey seals basking on the rocks just off the shore, and count the abundant reminders of Scotland’s rich history, including the caves with prehistoric paintings, the castles and the old watch houses, to name but a few.

Between the many thriving little ports along the trail, the path explores a large part of Fife’s coastline, with plenty of beachside walking and scenic views over historic ruins to enjoy.

We offer multiple holiday options along this trail. If you wish to experience the entire trail, simply select the first option from the list below.

Choose your route

  • Fife Coastal Path
  • Fife Coastal Path Short Break

About this route

5 to 10 nights
83 miles
Easy / Moderate to Demanding / Strenuous
2nd January to 24th December

From £675 per person

Fife Coastal Path

Explore the full length of the Fife Coastal Path from Queensferry in the south for Newport-on-Tay in the north on this stunning walking holiday. The landscapes are both diverse and beautiful, gradually changing from lively, industrial ports to quiet, rural scenery as the walk progresses.

Wildlife lovers and keen historians alike will enjoy the many discoveries along the route, including opportunities to spot both grey seals and prehistoric caves among many other interesting sights. Coupled with the undulating terrain and a smattering of welcoming harbours, the Fife Coastal Path is a fantastic trail to suit all tastes.

Available tours

Code Tour Duration Difficulty Price per person
FCP1 From North Queensferry(T) to Newport-on-Tay(T) 5 nights, 4 days walking Demanding / Strenuous £675
FCP2 From North Queensferry(T) to Newport-on-Tay(T) 6 nights, 5 days walking Demanding £805
FCP3 From North Queensferry(T) to Newport-on-Tay(T) 7 nights, 6 days walking Moderate / Demanding £940
FCP4 From North Queensferry(T) to Newport-on-Tay(T) 8 nights, 7 days walking Moderate £1070
FCP5 From North Queensferry(T) to Newport-on-Tay(T) 9 nights, 8 days walking Moderate £1205
FCP6 From North Queensferry(T) to Newport-on-Tay(T) 10 nights, 9 days walking Easy / Moderate £1330

Short breaks

Code Tour Duration Difficulty Price per person
FCPSB1 From Leven(L) to St Andrews 4 nights, 3 days walking Moderate £570
FCPSB2 From Leven(L) to St Andrews 5 nights, 4 days walking Easy / Moderate £710

Fife Coastal Path 5 nights, 4 days walking

£NNN per person
  • Itinerary
  • What's included?
  • Extra nights?
  • Tour facts
  • Route profile
  • Travel info
  • Weather
  • Holiday Highlights

Important information

Please note that accommodation in St Andrew's is in very high demand and many accommodations have a minimum two night booking policy. As a side effect of this high demand an upgrade supplement charge may be necessary for St Andrew's or alternatively, transfers to nearby accommodation may be provided. You will be contacted if this circumstance will arise for your booking. 

Start

Travel to North Queensferry(T) where your first night's accommodation will be booked

Day 1

North Queensferry(T) to Kirkcaldy. 18 miles (29km) / 1119 ft (341 m) ascent

Day 2

Kirkcaldy to Elie(L). 20.5 miles (32.5km) / 1027 ft (313 m) ascent

Day 3

Elie(L) to St Andrews. 24.5 miles (39.5km) / 1181 ft (360 m) ascent

Day 4

St Andrews to Newport-on-Tay(T). 20 miles (32km) / 620 ft (189 m) ascent

Finish

Depart from Newport-on-Tay(T) after breakfast

Your Itinerary

This itinerary lists our preferred overnight stops for this tour. Sometimes there may be a shortage of available accommodation in a preferred location, in which case we will transfer you from the trail to your accommodation and back again at no extra charge. Overnight stops marked with a (T) will always require transfers as standard.

Overnight stops marked with an (L) have very limited accommodation, and therefore more often than not will also require a transfer, particularly on bank holidays and weekends. We will use non-transfer accommodation wherever possible.

The daily mileages quoted are average trail miles only and do not include the distance from the trail to your accommodation. We do not expect you to have to travel more than a mile from the trail to your accommodation in most cases; should your accommodation be further than this, transfers will be provided as standard if practical. A very limited number of stops will require you to travel on foot up to two miles off the trail, however these instances will be clearly communicated to you if applicable.

Further transfers may also be required due to some accommodations having a two-night minimum booking policy, especially at weekends.

Below are the additional costs that may apply depending on your requirements. Dog-friendly tours are subject to a Daily Dog Charge, which will be listed below if applicable. Our standard prices per person are based upon two people sharing a room; if you are on your own, or are part of a group but require a room of your own, then the Solo Traveller or Single Supplements apply respectively:

A note about transfers
Solo Traveller Supplement
£60.00 per person / per night
Single Supplement
£50.00 per person / per night


You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:

Extra night (Standard)
£65.00 per person / per night
Extra night (Newport-on-Tay(T))
£75.00 per person / per night
Standard
Interactive
© Contours Walking Holidays Fife Coastal Path map
North Queensferry to Newport-on-Tay
83 miles (133 km)
2nd January to 24th December

Holiday highlights

Admiring the views from the Rock and Spindle formations back toward the medieval city of St Andrews.

Visiting a chain of castles, including Aberdour, Macduff’s, St Andrews and Wemyss castles.

Spotting a variety of wildlife along the undulating coastline, including seals, dolphins, cormorants and puffins.

What's included?

  • 5 nights' accommodation in en-suite rooms (where available) in selected B&B’s, hotels, inns and guesthouses along the trail, or a short distance away via taxi provided at our expense.
  • Breakfast each day.
  • Door to door luggage transfer.
  • Maps with the route marked on and a guidebook or route notes describing the trail.
  • An information pack containing an itinerary, instructions on how to find your accommodation each night and a kit list.
  • Detailed travel instructions on how to get to the start of your holiday and back from the end of it.

Extra Nights & Rest Days

North Queensferry is a good choice for an extra night at the start of your holiday if you would like to visit Scotland's capital city, Edinburgh.

The town of St Andrews, home to the third oldest university in the English speaking world and also the home of golf, is a wonderful place to spend an extra night. There are the ruins of St Andrews Castle, atop the cliffs, a range of shops and the beautiful buildings of the university to explore.

You can add rest days at any of the overnight stops:

Extra night (Standard)
£65.00 per person / per night
Extra night (Newport-on-Tay(T))
£75.00 per person / per night

Tour Facts

Total distance: 83 miles (132.5 km)
Duration: 5 nights, 4 days walking
Minimum daily distance: 18 miles (29 km)
Maximum daily distance: 24.5 miles (39.5 km)
Code: FCP1 Grade: Demanding / Strenuous
Season: 2nd January - 24th December
Start of holiday: North Queensferry(T)
End of holiday: Newport-on-Tay(T)

Route Profile

Fife Coastal Path Route Profile

Travel Information

Useful information and travel links that will assist you in your plans to travel to the start of the holiday and back from the end of it are sent to you with your full tour pack. A summary is given below:

By Air - The most convenient major city and international airports are Edinburgh, Glasgow, Glasgow Prestwick and Aberdeen.

By Rail - There is a rail station at the start of the trail (North Queensferry). The nearest rail station to the end of the trail (Newport-On-Tay) is at Dundee (about 3 miles away).

By Bus - Various bus services run to North Queensferry. Buses run from Newport-on-Tay to Dundee.

From London - Trains run from London Kings Cross & London Euston stations to North Queensferry.

Return To The Start - The easiest way to return to the start of the trail, is to take a bus/taxi to Dundee rail station. From here, take the train North Queensferry.

Weather Information

To find out more about the weather forecast for your chosen holiday's general location, please see the following websites:

  • MetCheck - This website allows you to look up detailed weather information for specific locations as far as six months in advance.
  • Met Office - This website shows regional area forecasts a few days in advance, with a general UK forecast description of up to 30 days in advance.
  • Mountain Forecast - This website shows what the forecast is like up on specific hills and fells, and offers forecasts a few days in advance.
"Kingshorn Harbour" by Graham Hadfield (2019) "Kingshorn Harbour" by Graham Hadfield (2019)
"Leven to Lower Largo" by Graham Hadfield (2019) "Leven to Lower Largo" by Graham Hadfield (2019)
"On Kincraig Hill Looking to Elie" by Graham Hadfield (2019) "On Kincraig Hill Looking to Elie" by Graham Hadfield (2019)
"Ardross Castle" by Graham Hadfield (2019) "Ardross Castle" by Graham Hadfield (2019)
"Newark Castle and St Monans" by Andrew Eastwood (2019) "Newark Castle and St Monans" by Andrew Eastwood (2019)
"Lady Tower at Elie" by Susan Mullen (2018) "Lady Tower at Elie" by Susan Mullen (2018)

Customer reviews from the Fife Coastal Path

“Excellent organisation and information pack provided, and extremely impressed with quality of accommodation booked for us.”
Mr Duguid, Scotland
“We arrived home full of enthusiasm for future walking holidays. Excellent signage and excellent accommodation.”
Mr Martin, New Zealand
“So much to love about this walk, particularly the areas around Burntisland, Leven, Elie, Pittenweem, St Monans and Anstruther. A photographers delight. A pity I didn't have longer to explore!”
Mrs Dugmore, Australia
“Several of the B&B owners along my route remarked that Contours is by far the best of the companies they deal with.”
Ms Petersen, Denmark
“To walk the Fife Coastal Path was an amazing experience. One of the best holidays of our life! We will for sure do more such trips with you. Best regards from Switzerland, Claudia Larsen.”
Ms Larsen, Switzerland
“We are very Happy we chose Contours and value your time, efforts and concern since we began the process last summer.”
Mr Bevins, USA
“We had a lovely walk and the weather was perfect.”
Mr Roberts, USA
“Another fabulous Scotland walk. Beautiful coastal vistas, pretty villages, and lots of wildlife.”
Mr Julyan, UK
“A superb walk; the arrangements all went well. The B&Bs were excellent, amongst the best that I have ever used. I had a query with accommodation for the Saturday night, but only noticed at mid-day on that day. It was gratifying that a member of staff was still available by phone on a Saturday and the query was clarified quickly and efficiently.”
Mr Hadfield, UK
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