Fife Coastal Path facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Fife Coastal Path
Fife Coastal Path signpost near Earlsferry
Length	187 km (116 mi)
Location	Fife, Scotland
Established	2002
Designation	Scotland's Great Trails
Trailheads	Kincardine 56°03′58″N 3°43′20″W / 56.06623°N 3.72221°W / 56.06623; -3.72221 (Fife Coastal Path (Kincardine trailhead)) Newburgh 56°20′58″N 3°14′57″W / 56.34931°N 3.24905°W / 56.34931; -3.24905 (Fife Coastal Path (Newburgh trailhead))
Use	Hiking
Elevation gain/loss	1,865 metres (6,119 ft) gain
Season	All year
Website	http://www.fifecoastalpath.co.uk/

The Fife Coastal Path is a long walking trail in Scotland. It stretches for about 187 kilometers (116 miles) along the beautiful coastline of Fife. This path was first opened in 2002. It has been made longer over the years, now going all the way from Kincardine to Newburgh.

Most people take about one week to 10 days to walk the whole path. It's looked after by the Fife Coast and Countryside Trust, which is a charity. It's also one of Scotland's Great Trails. Around 500,000 people enjoy walking parts of the path every year, and about 35,000 people walk the entire route!

What You Can See on the Path

As you walk the Fife Coastal Path, you'll discover many interesting places. You can visit old castles like Aberdour Castle, Macduff's Castle near East Wemyss, and Wemyss Castle. You'll also pass by Pitmilly, which used to be a large estate.

Historic Towns and Buildings

In the historic town of Newport, you'll see the old ferry terminal designed by Thomas Telford. You can also spot the historic posting house building, built in 1806. Today, this building is home to the Tatha gallery, named after the Gaelic word for the River Tay.

Wildlife Along the Coast

The path is a great place to see different kinds of wildlife. Keep an eye out for amazing sea creatures like porpoises and dolphins swimming in the water. You might also spot cute puffins and other seabirds.

The Harbourmaster's House

A special spot on the path is the Harbourmaster's House in Dysart. This building was even used as a filming location for the TV show Outlander! Today, it has a visitor center and a cafe, and it's also where the Fife Coast and Countryside Trust has its main offices.

Exciting Challenges on the Path

The Fife Coastal Path offers some exciting challenges for adventurous walkers.

The Elie Chainwalk

One optional part of the path is called the Elie chainwalk. It's about half a kilometer long and is found between Kincraig Point and Earlsferry. This route has chains fixed to the cliffs and rocks to help you climb and walk along the shore. It's sometimes called Scotland's secret via ferrata.

You should only try the chainwalk when the tide is low. Sometimes, you'll need to do short climbs. The chains were first put there in the 1920s and were replaced in 2010. If you prefer an easier walk, there's another path along the clifftop above.

Running the Entire Path

Some very fit runners have taken on the challenge of running the entire Fife Coastal Path.

Team Record

On October 5, 2013, a team of six runners from Carnethy Hill Running Club ran the whole 187-kilometer path. They started at 3 AM in Kincardine and finished at 6:10 PM in Newburgh, taking 15 hours and 10 minutes. This amazing achievement was officially recognized by the Fife Coast and Countryside Trust.

Solo Record

On September 4, 2020, Nicola Duncan, a runner from Carnethy Hill Racing Club, set a new record. She ran the entire path by herself! She started at 11:12 PM and finished the next evening, taking 23 hours, 16 minutes, and 54 seconds. This is the Fastest Known Time (FKT) for a solo runner on the Fife Coastal Path.

Towns and Villages on the Path

Here are the towns and villages you'll pass through, listed from south to north:

Images for kids

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  Approximate map of the Fife Coastal Path